Community Forums

hohenwald48 · 01-27-2019, 06:13 AM

I recently purchased a 2019 Newmar class A. It came with a Surge Guard 40350RVS surge protector/transfer switch installed from the factory. I also have a perfectly good Progressive Industries LCHW50 sitting in my shop doing nothing.

Is there any reason I can't install the PI unit in front of the Surge Guard unit? I know it will increase the delay for shore power connection but are there any other concerns I need to know about?

**Spdracr39** · 01-27-2019, 06:30 AM

No reason but that you would be wasting all the benefits of the built in. Cons : spending extra time on setup and break down, taking up storage space, having unneeded extra plug in connections, Theft risk, forgetting to unplug it and leaving it at campsite. Pros : zilch . So yes you can but why, sell it or pay it forward.

corjaguar · 01-27-2019, 06:36 AM

I tried using my external surge guard (progressive) along with the built-in....it worked for a while but than it became counter productive.....having the second surge guard along with the built-in would cause my shore power to act up. I now use the external progressive surge guard as a test unit.....before I connect to the coach, I plug in the external...if I get the correct lights, I than plug in my coach.
But for no other reason, it ensures me the pedestal is correct for whatever it's worth.

hohenwald48 · 01-27-2019, 06:36 AM

For those who don't know, the PI LCHW50 is a permanently installed unit and not a portable plug connected unit.

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-27-2019, 06:39 AM

I don’t think you’ll need it and as discussed it may cause some interference. I’d place it in our classifieds.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-27-2019, 09:39 AM

I don't see any benefit from doing that, but if it makes you happy, go for it. No technical reason not to and the only downside I see is the longer delay for power to come on.

Solo_RV_Guy · 01-27-2019, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

I recently purchased a 2019 Newmar class A. It came with a Surge Guard 40350RVS surge protector/transfer switch installed from the factory. I also have a perfectly good Progressive Industries LCHW50 sitting in my shop doing nothing.

Is there any reason I can't install the PI unit in front of the Surge Guard unit? I know it will increase the delay for shore power connection but are there any other concerns I need to know about?

In some cases redundancy is counter productive (like multiple virus scanners on your computer); in this case dual surge protection will not provide any additional protection but is unlikely to cause damage to anything.

I'd be more inclined to keep it as a spare or gift it to someone who needs one.

cavie · 01-27-2019, 09:55 AM

Keep it. When you sell this rig you'll have one for the next one.

hohenwald48 · 01-27-2019, 11:30 AM

I didn't think it would cause any issues but Just wanted to check in case I was missing something.

It would provide several benefits. (1) if the Progressive gets zapped I would still have use of the Surge Guard. (2) if the $300 Progressive keeps a surge from zapping the $700 Surge Guard then I save $400. (3) if the Surge Guard gets zapped I could lose the transfer switch capability, if the Progressive gets zapped first (saving the Surge Guard) I'll still have a transfer switch.

Additional connection delay is not a problem as having to wait an extra 2 minutes when I set up is not going to ruin my day. There is no electrical engineering reason for one protector to "interfere" with the other. I've had the Progressive on Craigslist and on here with no response in about 3 months so I think I'll put it to work protecting my Surge Guard transfer switch. It's doing no good in my shop.

Thanks all.