Community Forums

johnc58 · 07-04-2022, 09:41 AM

We have a 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916. It has a built in surge protector but i have been advise to purchase one that attaches to the post. recommendation on what kind. I know its must be for a 50 amp unit.

Mike Finnerty · 07-04-2022, 09:49 AM

What's wrong with the installed unit? At one time in my last MH I used one that plugged into the post. That is until the campground we were in had 9" of rain and it got flooded and ruined. So then I bought and installed a permanent unit in the bay with the electric components. Plus there was always the worry it might be stolen so it had to be chained to the post. One of the first things I did when I got my current MH was to install a permanent unit in the electric bay.

HighDesert · 07-04-2022, 09:56 AM

I believe the top two brands to be Progressive and Southwire products. Progressive used to made in the USA, but now is made in Mexico. Southwire is made in Honduras. I had a portable, USA made,30 amp Progressive unit for the MBS Sprinter I had, and it performed fine. When I went to a Class A, I purchased a Southwire, portable 50 amp unit and have been pleased with its' overall performance. Both are good, both are reliable. The main difference I have noticed is that the Surgeguard comes on line faster than the progressive unit. Im sure you'll get a lot of recommendations here.

inthepines · 07-04-2022, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnc58

We have a 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916. It has a built in surge protector but i have been advise to purchase one that attaches to the post. recommendation on what kind. I know its must be for a 50 amp unit.

https://www.amazon.com/Hughes-Autofo...s%2C213&sr=8-6

has a replaceable surge protection board. made in china has the low/high voltage protection as well like the progressive.

**CountryFit** · 07-04-2022, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnc58

We have a 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916. It has a built in surge protector but i have been advise to purchase one that attaches to the post. recommendation on what kind. I know its must be for a 50 amp unit.

Most of us, if not all, with a working internal surge guard don't need a second/external one.

MSHappyCampers · 07-04-2022, 12:35 PM

I would go with the PT50X or HW50C from Progressive Industries. They protect you against any kind of AC problems, not just surges, and have a lifetime warranty! Yes, you will pay about $300-$350, but it's the cheapest insurance you can buy!

AllegroD · 07-04-2022, 05:26 PM

What surge suppressor does your 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916 have built in?

Dutch Star Don · 07-04-2022, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnc58

We have a 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916. It has a built in surge protector but i have been advise to purchase one that attaches to the post. recommendation on what kind. I know its must be for a 50 amp unit.

We need some more information. Typically, a coach of your era will have an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that switches power between your generator and shore power. Then an EMS/Surge Protector is added to the incoming power. If that's what you have, there is no need for a secondary unit.

With that said, Newmar, since about 2018, uses a SurgeGuard combo ATS and EMS/Surge Protector. In that situation, which is what I have, I added a Surge Protector only at the pedestal to primarily protect my combo unit from a surge, like a lightning strike.

So, unless someone changed out your original ATS with a combo unit, you should be fine with what you have.

**NLOVNIT** · 07-04-2022, 05:50 PM

Point of clarification. There are surge guards & there are power protectors. They are not the same things but most people confuse the terminology on the two. They'll call them ALL surge guards (or surge protectors).

I've had RV's with surge guards, but not power protectors. If I wanted to protect against high/low voltage, open grounds, open neutrals, mis-wired shore power...etc., then I got a power protector. Specifically a Progressive Industries unit.

Be sure you know the difference & know what you actually have in your RV.

TomsMaHauL · 07-04-2022, 07:33 PM

On this thread, I'm in agreement with inthepines. The factory installed a Southwire Surge Guard surge protector/transfer switch combo. After a year, it failed. In my case, it worked great for high voltage, but not so great, when it came to low voltage. I had it replaced under the 1 year Tiffin manufacturer warranty. Then, I used my 10 year old portable/pedestal Surge Guard full protector, as well as the Surge Guard on-board protector/transfer switch that Tiffin sent to replace the one that failed. Eventually, I replaced the pedestal surge protector with the Hughes Power Watchdog (50amp) pedestal model. I like that I can monitor the stats (amp usage per leg, watts, voltage etc etc) on my phone with the Hughes Power Watchdog. I read on these forums about the Progressive Industries brand products, and how well that they work. In 3 years of usage, the portable Power Watchdog EMS has saved us twice. We RV often. I do run a bicycle chain through the Power Watchdog loop to the pedestal, but it takes less than 60 seconds to do that task. Reading Dutch Star Don's comment, I'm in agreement where Dutch Star Don writes "I have, I added a Surge Protector only at the pedestal to primarily protect my combo unit from a surge, like a lightning strike". I've practiced that, same, set up for 5 years, and have had zero issues to the coach's electrical functions. Here's my story on that subject...and, I'm stickin' to it.
https://tomsmahaul.com/rv-surge-protection/

This is always a great forum site to visit frequently. Great folks here. I'm grateful for this place and the many that contribute.

Tom

Gary RVRoamer · 07-05-2022, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Point of clarification. There are surge guards & there are power protectors. They are not the same things but most people confuse the terminology on the two. They'll call them ALL surge guards (or surge protectors).

I've had RV's with surge guards, but not power protectors. If I wanted to protect against high/low voltage, open grounds, open neutrals, mis-wired shore power...etc., then I got a power protector. Specifically a Progressive Industries unit.

Be sure you know the difference & know what you actually have in your RV.

Plus even more confusion because of the Surge Guard brand name on a family of products that include full-fledged "power protecters" as well less capable boxes such as a portable GFCI.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-05-2022, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnc58

We have a 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916. It has a built in surge protector but i have been advise to purchase one that attaches to the post. recommendation on what kind. I know its must be for a 50 amp unit.

Whoever recommended that probably wears both a belt and suspenders. I'm not saying there is never a condition where a second power protection device might have some benefit, but protecting against every conceivable (and rare) condition is of very limited value (my opinion, of course). I wouldn't do it. I operated our coach for 12 years using only the built-in ATS & power protection device (a hardwired Surge Guard 40250)

johnc58 · 07-05-2022, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllegroD

What surge suppressor does your 2007 Newmar kountry Star 3916 have built in?

Ok my 2007 Newmar Kountry Star 3916 comes with a Surge Guard model 34560

glwinger · 07-06-2022, 07:42 AM

I would be concerned about using two protectors in series. They are designed to test and check the incoming power. The second one may go into error while the first one is testing.
Has anyone ever tested this?