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klebs · 02-07-2017, 04:03 PM

I know this has been talked about, but I have rather a new wrinkle. Our soon-to-be fulltime home will be a Fleetwood Bounder 35k. Watching a video produced by MHS on the bounder line, the presenter did the usual walk-around tour of the coach's systems but he happened to zoom in on the transfer switch and I took a screenshot of the sticker. I've been reading the details on this thing (Surge Guard 40350RVC) and it seems to do what I've been reading here that a surge protector is supposed to do (low/high voltage protect, loss of neutral etc.). Anybody have any opinions on whether I need to shell out even more for an aftermarket box?

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powercat_ras · 02-07-2017, 04:06 PM

No, that has what most people get in a shore power protector already built into your RV. Lucky for you!

t55watson · 02-07-2017, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klebs

I know this has been talked about, but I have rather a new wrinkle. Our soon-to-be fulltime home will be a Fleetwood Bounder 35k. Watching a video produced by MHS on the bounder line, the presenter did the usual walk-around tour of the coach's systems but he happened to zoom in on the transfer switch and I took a screenshot of the sticker. I've been reading the details on this thing (Surge Guard 40350RVC) and it seems to do what I've been reading here that a surge protector is supposed to do (low/high voltage protect, loss of neutral etc.). Anybody have any opinions on whether I need to shell out even more for an aftermarket box?Attachment 151260

I wouldn't. That is all I have for incoming but I use a power strip in the coach to plug the pooter and hot spot in.

**Lt Dan** · 02-07-2017, 10:14 PM

The ATS you have has good built in surge protection and power management. However, think of one scenario where you take a surge hit large enough to fry the protector. If that happens, you will have to replace the ATS instead of just replacing or bypassing a surge protector/EMS. Just my $0.02, others will vary.

Ceratto's Grotto · 02-08-2017, 01:14 PM

I am replacing our current ATS and pedestal attached Surge Guard with this unit. 1) I prefer the least amount of connections possible between the shore power pedestal and the motor home power systems. In the current configuration I have two plugs and they are both out in any kind of weather. 2) I consider adding a hard wired Surge Guard (which I was happy with in another motor home) but the electircal bay in my current motor home is small and the addition of a hard wired Surge Guard would compromise getting to some electrical components, fuses and curcuit breakers as well as reducing the power cord storage space, which is already tight. So... the current ATS takes up about the same amount of space as this Surge Guard one with the added protection, so replacing it seemed a resonable (albeit somewhat expensive) solution for me.

Podivin · 02-08-2017, 01:27 PM

If this is JUST a surge protector then you still may want to invest in a unit that also 'watches' for low voltage or mis-wired outlets.
Personally I would spend the extra money for another unit just to have the extra line of defense. And as pointed out, if the worst DOES happen and the external unit gets fried then you still have a fully working transfer switch - with built in surge protection.

wa8yxm · 02-08-2017, 02:27 PM

Looking at that I do not think you need spend more.. I'm having bandwidth issues so researching is .. Not fun.. But TRC makes a combination Surge Guard and Automatic transfer switch with over/under voltage protection.

If you can find the Owner's manual for it.. That is a plus. Also, See if there is a REMOTE display that connects to it (may already be installed, look for a phone cord (remember those) coming off it) If the display shows Volts and Amps this goes a way towards convincing me, if it does not have one try check the manual to see if one is optional..

Do not have the manual.. I could not quite read the model looked like 20350 or 20450 ONE of those is a TRC Surge guard Transfer switch with protectiion..

Another indication is this;;;; When you plug in .. does it delay connection 15-272 seconds ... Or does your RV power up the instant you close the Park's breaker?

But just now.. I do not THINK you need another device, I think that is it..

Why do you need a "Voltage protection" device.

Well, there is a 30 amp outlet and folks will tell you "Oh yes, Friends use that for their RV all the time" only it's not for RV's.

You see, it looks exactly like a common 240 volt outlet for Dryers, Air compressors and the like.. (30 amp RV is 120 volt) and connecting to it does one of two things.

If you have a proper Surge guard, It gets you a display that says, (loosley translated) Dummy, that's a 240- volt outlet, don't use it.

If you don't.. It lets the magic smoke out of your electroincs (And they run on that so if you let it out they stop working).

Also, many have hired a professional to install a TT30.. and he looked at it and said "AH 240 Volts" and.. Well see last paragraph.

(I installed my own TT-30.. Properly)

Mr_D · 02-08-2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

(I installed my own TT-30.. Properly)

Yep, so did I, about 30 years ago. Still using it today.

klebs · 02-09-2017, 05:10 AM

I tried to find out what the part about "with RV-C CAN communications" meant. There's not a lot out there on RV-C but I did find a Wikipedia article here about it, wondered if it was something I could exploit for monitoring purposes. But there aren't many products out there that are built to use this protocol. Does anybody know what it's for?

[url]https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RV-C[url]

D Lindy · 02-09-2017, 05:43 AM

Your unit is a combined Surge Guard and Transfer Switch all in 1 unit. If it were me I'd still invest in a Progressive Industries hard wired Surge Guard and put it in line BEFORE your unit. It'll be a lot cheaper to replace the Progressives unit then it will to replace your combined unit in the event of a bad surge. Also you'll be able to wire around the Progressive unit if it does take a hit, BUT if the combined unit takes a hit you're liable to be dead in the water till you can get another one.

Jimbow · 02-09-2017, 05:55 AM

I haven't heard of anyone buying two and hooking them both up. You just bought one already installed and ready to go. If it wasn't already there the advice would be to add one, not two.

But the own two suggestions do make sense. Plus it isn't our money. Lol.

klebs · 02-10-2017, 06:30 AM

Thanks for the help folks. I'll probably just be going on with one of these for a while and then when the money becomes available I might just take your advice and get a second one to place in front of it.

NumberThree1950 · 02-13-2017, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Lindy

Your unit is a combined Surge Guard and Transfer Switch all in 1 unit. If it were me I'd still invest in a Progressive Industries hard wired Surge Guard and put it in line BEFORE your unit. It'll be a lot cheaper to replace the Progressives unit then it will to replace your combined unit in the event of a bad surge. Also you'll be able to wire around the Progressive unit if it does take a hit, BUT if the combined unit takes a hit you're liable to be dead in the water till you can get another one.

As an EE by trade I definitely recommend this. You can never have too much surge protection when your expensive gear is on the line. So unless the combo unit has an easily replaceable surge protection module I'd follow this advice. It is cheap insurance.

Jimbow · 02-14-2017, 03:16 AM

So the consensus is to protect a surge protector with another surge protector? That seems excessive to me in an application where the likelihood of the component ever serving it's insurance function is so low. I've yet to hear anyone suggest investing in a hard wired unit but add a portable at the pedestal because it's cheap insurance.

Now if we are debating an all in one versus having the two functions, surge and transfer switch, in two units, I like two separate. But I'd be very comfortable with one surge protector, just like everyone else.