Community Forums

NeilV · 10-20-2019, 09:49 PM

I live in the Tampa Florida Area and like many other parts of the country the wiring in my home is not the deciding factor on whether to use a surge protector or not, its the local weather conditions, power surges coming in from the electrical grid and more importantly low power situations due to brownouts.

To me its even more important to have a voltage correction device along with surge protection to deal with rolling brownouts that occur constantly throughout the day.

When I put a UPS in to protect my PC and another on the entertainment center it really opened my eyes since I leave the audible alerts turned on so it was quite an education to hear how many times each day power levels would drop to where the UPS would kick in and provide a boost from battery backup.

I started monitoring my Autoformer in the RV when plugged in at home after that and yes it goes into boost mode many times during the day as voltage level drop unacceptably low from the power grid.

So yes I always use both surge protection and power correction even when at home. I am also considering getting a whole house voltage correction unit so I can enjoy the same level of reliability that comes from having proper voltage levels throughout the house instead of just at select outlets that have the Autoformer or a UPS on them.

Oldforester1 · 10-20-2019, 09:49 PM

I usually do use the surge protector on the MH when plugged on the house system. We get unannounced power outages from time to time and often with a surge when ic comes back on. I also have surge protectors on all my appliances. Lost the washer once and don't want that to happen again.

bobfrommaine · 10-20-2019, 10:12 PM

It's on the end of my power cord. I got it, it won't wear out, it is cheap insurance. When I can, I'll replace my transfer switch with one which has surge protection built in.
Bob '14 Winnebago ADventurer 37F, Jeep Toad

TriMoot · 10-21-2019, 03:50 AM

Yup, always plugged in.

jeddpearl · 10-21-2019, 09:00 AM

Wow!! I don't own one but you can bet I will by the next time I go camping. Just didn't realize how important they are and how many people use them.
I'm glad I read this thread

Thanks, everyone

Recalculatin · 10-21-2019, 09:44 AM

I agree and use it at home as well, even though I have a whole house surge protector installed at the meter.

AbdRahim · 10-21-2019, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hencye

Don't forget though when it comes to lightning, that most of the time they come from cable, TV antennas, telephone, and internet wires, so protect them as well! I chose the Surge Guard that is kept locked up in my basement because I don't want it stolen! Works great!

Been there done that. Heard the lightning hit the ground on the side of the house where the cable and phone wires come in. Took out one entire computer, phone modem on another, microwave, etc.

stew1 · 10-21-2019, 11:06 AM

All the time

TriMoot · 10-21-2019, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddpearl

Wow!! I don't own one but you can bet I will by the next time I go camping. Just didn't realize how important they are and how many people use them.
I'm glad I read this thread

Thanks, everyone

Hey JeddPearl. Yeah, I didn't own one either...they're not cheap..they're also not too expensive. But this past summer I knew we'd be camping at various campgrounds with full hookups, which was a bit different for us. We prefer to boondock whenever possible, but this time I booked all the CG's a few months in advance, so I wanted to be safe.

Oh, and the other reason is we finally started towing a car so I knew we'd be leaving the RV plugged in all day while we were gallivanting all over the place with the toad. FREEDOM! Normally we'd take our bikes or RV for sightseeing. So having the Surge Protector was peace of mind while away. And yes, I would lock it to the pedestal...just in case.

TPS12 · 10-21-2019, 11:36 AM

I own it so I use it wherever I am.

Ken Thompson · 10-21-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayco19

While plugged in at your home do you always use your surge protector?
I can see why to always use at campgrounds because of lots of things there. High demand on power causing low voltage- high voltage-bad wiring-etc etc. But at home those are not near as likely to happen. Just curious what other do.

It’s wired in permanently. I live out in the country and power goes out at least once a year. Why would you risk a power spike or surge doing damage?

jedicole · 10-21-2019, 03:07 PM

I always use it ... even with my 50 amp home hook up. Easier than disconnecting it at home anyway!

Janjim · 10-22-2019, 03:58 AM

At home everywhere there are electronics there are surge protectors.

4dakids · 10-22-2019, 04:17 AM

We have a 30 amp outlet at home and I have a 50 amp PI portable power mgt/surge protector. I wasn't sure if it would work plugging into 50-30 pigtail?
It makes sense to protect it at home too.