Community Forums

trvMDman · 01-28-2023, 06:14 PM

So my wife and I have this debate. I am posing this question from memory because my coach is 300miles away, so bear with me if I get the details wrong.
Our 2019 DS3736 has a Sureguard Surge protector and Transfer switch.
She argues that we should get a separate Surge Protector to attach to the pedestal to protect our rig's wiring. I think it is redundant, but she brings up a good point. If a power surge burns up your Surge protector it will be harder to replace the one on the rig than an exterior one at the pedestal.
We are in our rig 7 months a year so down time is a big hassle. Any thoughts on whether we should get a separate Surge Protector to attach at the pedestal?

MrMark52 · 01-28-2023, 06:25 PM

Surge protectors in series - which one is the weaker of the two when a surge occurs?

You will hear more stories of peoples bad experiences than those who have never had a surge.

Better safe than sorry to have a surge protector - but redundancy for me when it comes to a surge protector is about as important as keeping a spare light bulb for when the one I have burns out.

twinboat · 01-28-2023, 06:26 PM

Who's to say which surge protector fails ?

The internal one can still fail, even with an external one in line.

pasdad1 · 01-28-2023, 06:39 PM

Having an external one is important to me. It has an easy to read display which shows me any problems right as I plug in.

MrMark52 · 01-28-2023, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Having an external one is important to me. It has an easy to read display which shows me any problems right as I plug in.

I stand next to mine and watch after turning the pedestal breaker on.

If it’s raining, I wait until it’s not before hooking up (I always leave the tether plugged in so the generator can be used at any time (don’t have a transfer switch).

I don’t have to worry with it being gone when I return from our daily travels, or leaving it as we drive away (Am fortunate enough just to remember to disconnect the tether at the pedestal - which can be costly - don’t ask how I know).

Edit correction: I put a permanent Progressive Industries EMS in our coach - it gives both surge and high/low voltage protection.

wolfgolden · 01-28-2023, 07:32 PM

Even better would be an EMS at the pedestal.
The EMS protects against more than just surges.

GW4607 · 01-28-2023, 07:50 PM

Your wife is correct….sort of. If you have a surge then it is possible both go out. The biggest concern is low voltage verses a surge. Lower voltage cause appliances and electrical items to pull higher amperage. When you initially hook up voltage can be good. Later in the day has more people run more appliances, AC, convection ovens, etc. voltage drops. If voltages drop below 105 volts you probably would not be aware of it, but your rig will. Good in-line surge protectors will shut you down, when voltage rises it will automatically reset. Same thing if voltage creeps up.

Good surge protectors will also warn you if the pedestal has wiring issues.

On the Tiffin I own prior to our DS I ran a Progressive Industry hard wired surge protector. My DS has one built in but I have a Hughes surge protector that I plug into the pedestal and the coach into the Hughes protector. I consider the Hughes as a sacrificial lamb. It’s has an inline device that is replaceable. Cheaper to repair or replace than the one in the coach.

I look at it like insurance….hope I never need it.

saddlesore · 01-28-2023, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfgolden

even better would be an ems at the pedestal.
The ems protects against more than just surges.

I Fully Concur..

Dutch Star Don · 01-28-2023, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trvMDman

So my wife and I have this debate. I am posing this question from memory because my coach is 300miles away, so bear with me if I get the details wrong.
Our 2019 DS3736 has a Sureguard Surge protector and Transfer switch.
She argues that we should get a separate Surge Protector to attach to the pedestal to protect our rig's wiring. I think it is redundant, but she brings up a good point. If a power surge burns up your Surge protector it will be harder to replace the one on the rig than an exterior one at the pedestal.
We are in our rig 7 months a year so down time is a big hassle. Any thoughts on whether we should get a separate Surge Protector to attach at the pedestal?

I have the same Southwire SurgeGuard as you in my 2019, a Newmar option. It protects against high and low voltage. However, it's an all in one unit with the transfer switch. I run the below Southwire SurgeGuard ($100) at the pedestal. I'm after protection from a large surge, like a lightning strike. Hopefully, the one at the pedestal would take the brunt of the hit.

The two units play well together.

https://www.amazon.com/Surge-Guard-4...0-4513d670b6bc

mahdi · 01-28-2023, 09:42 PM

I use the Progressive Industries one at the pedestal in addition to the one one the coach. It ha worked well for me. On a few occasions it had shut the power to the coach when the voltage got low on one of the lines. It allowed the power back when the issue resolved. it then keeps in memory the previous fault until it is reset.

Your wife is correct, wives always are.

Dutchstar411 · 01-29-2023, 06:39 AM

I have the one listed here that I use at the Pedestal: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And this one in series hardwired listed here:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003AN1U...lig_dp_it&th=1

The one at the Pedestal is now on sale for $50. Pretty cheap investment and lets you see any troubles at the Pedestal when you hit the breakers on

Dennis C. · 01-29-2023, 06:49 AM

I use the Progressive Industries surge protector/EMS at the pedestal even though my coach has the optional automatic transfer switch and the 50A Energy Management System. I don’t think my coach offers internal surge protection (please correct me if I’m wrong) so the addition of the Progressive Industries unit seemed prudent.

Gumpster808 · 01-29-2023, 06:55 AM

We run this on the pedestal

Hughes Autoformers PWD50EPO Power... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LK643LD...p_mob_ap_share

When we did our walkthrough the individual was discussing the built in EMS on our coach.

Yes the internal will protect things but to replace is $1,000 and the external was about $250, then asked which we’d rather replace if there was an issue.

Personally I like having the extra protection.

Mr. T · 01-29-2023, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumpster808

We run this on the pedestal

Hughes Autoformers PWD50EPO Power... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LK643LD...p_mob_ap_share

When we did our walkthrough the individual was discussing the built in EMS on our coach.

Yes the internal will protect things but to replace is $1,000 and the external was about $250, then asked which we’d rather replace if there was an issue.

Personally I like having the extra protection.

The surge protector linked above also has an app for the phone. Not only can you monitor the power usage, if the power shuts off due to an overload you can reset it from the app so no need to go out to the pedestal.