Community Forums

DrBob7762 · 08-17-2021, 09:56 AM

We recently bought a well-cared for '08 Phaeton. It came with a 50 Surge Guard, also from '08.

Q1: Ordinarily, are these things still serviceable after 13 years? Should/can/how do I get it tested? Any maintenance needs?

It's worth a few bucks, so there are 2 separate locking mechanisms to lock it to the main power cord and power pole. It's also bulky and heavy. If it's a no-brainer to use it all the time, it would make sense to me to mount the unit inside the rig.

Q2: If I had an electrician install a female 50amp outlet in the electrical bay (on the power pole end of a much shortened version of the existing power cable) and mounted a male 50amp plug on the coach end of the existing main power cord, I could insert the surge protector between the two AND have the ability to remove the entire power cord if need be AND not have to deal with the clumsy locking mechanisms. Is there a good reason to NOT do that?

Q3: I have read elsewhere that there is a "lag" after plugging into shore power using the Surge Guard. Is that correct? Normal? Problematic in any way (other than a short wait before I can fire up the margarita blender)?

Thanks in advance for any assistance,
B

Old-Biscuit · 08-17-2021, 10:11 AM

Surge Guard.........are not field serviceable
*sealed case
*very limited one year warranty for that vintage/year model

Yes you can do the cord/receptacle mod so it can be inside the RV

Yes there is a Lag time between plugging it in and it allowing power thru
It checks voltage on both hot legs, checks neutral, checks ground etc
Then allows power thru it.
IIRC....120 second delay

Bob_Taylor · 08-17-2021, 11:19 AM

Question 1. They (the varistors) use some of their protection capacity on each surge absorbed. The lights on the unit will indicate if there is some protection remaining.
Question 2. If you need to hire an electrician, I would suggest purchasing a new Progressive Industries hardwired Electrical Management System unit (p/n EMS-HW50C) and have it cut into the power cord inside your electrical bay. Sell the old unit. Make sure to locate it where you can access it and remove the cover. This allows access to the surge protection board which comes with a lifetime warranty from PI. The remote display can then be mounted where you can easily view it during initial campsite hookup. I suggest inside the electrical bay door. This is how I connected my protector.
Question 3. The slight delay is designed to give time for a complete checkout of polarity, voltage, and grounding. The margarita delay is a small price to pay for the best surge protection device in the industry. The delay also gives you time to ask your camper neighbors if they also would like one of your fine margaritas.

I have a 2021 Allegro Red and the Transfer Switch comes from the factory with some surge protection. Still, I opted for the additional protection of the PI protector. I did the same thing with my previous Class A.

Finally a protection bypass switch is available if there are problems with the surge board and you feel lucky.