To Surge Protect....or not to Surge Protect.......

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

After frying all of the electrical components in my first RV and then losing a couple of appliances in the RV I now have, I installed surge protection about 3 1/2 years ago. The SurgeGuard has deteted bad power 2 or 3 times since it was installed.

I have a hard wired SurgeGuard that I installed as a portable by putting a plug on one end and a receptacle on the other end. If it ever fails I can unplug and bypass it. If it does fail, I will be replacing it with a unit from Progressive Industries.

I installed a portable PI in my basement as I couldn't fit the hard wired one in a dry place near the transfer switch. It works well and is out of site and I can bypass it as you stated. Here's a photo.

[steelheadbluesman]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

I have a hard wired SurgeGuard that I installed as a portable by putting a plug on one end and a receptacle on the other end. If it ever fails I can unplug and bypass it.

Great idea. You've made up my mind. That's how I'll install my portable in-line inside the compartment.

[56 Nomad]

100% in favor of all the protection you can get after finding out my brotherinlaw had been hired as a maintence person in an RV park and was rewireing pedistals. I have the Progressive EMS-LCHW 50 hard wire unit wired ahead of the transfer switch and after reading these post and looking at all the potential problems with multiple connections I plan to remove one more potential problem from my install and move the protector to after the transfer switch. Remember each connect point has the potential for an open neutral not so bad on a 30 A but disaster on a 50A 240V feed

[SteveCal]

I picked up a Progressive Industries, RV Smart Surge Protector, Model: SSP-50 (plug-in). Hope that will serve me for now. I even got a good discount.

Thank you all for the information and the convincing. Its hard to seperate me from my money.

[RV Wizard]

Originally Posted by SteveCal

I picked up a Progressive Industries, RV Smart Surge Protector, Model: SSP-50 (plug-in). Hope that will serve me for now. I even got a good discount.

Thank you all for the information and the convincing. Its hard to seperate me from my money.

If you had not put in some protection, there would have been many other risks to take even more money from you.

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by SteveCal

I picked up a Progressive Industries, RV Smart Surge Protector, Model: SSP-50 (plug-in). Hope that will serve me for now. I even got a good discount.

Thank you all for the information and the convincing. Its hard to seperate me from my money.

It will serve you. I had one for two years. Just be aware that it doesn't protect you from high and low voltage. You need to monitor that your self.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ssp_50.htm

A progressive 50 amp surge protector EMS will.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_pt50c.htm

[Cilrah]

We just had a power outage here in our park and lost power to several wall outlets, the fireplace, and the fridge. I'm pretty sure we took some kind of serious damage to one of our inverters but I hoping no damage to the wiring. I did plug the extremely large fridge/freezer into an extension cord and it still works (thank god) but I can't get the fireplace working. Trust me a Progressive Industries Surge Protector is on my list when I bring the Travel Supreme in to have the problem fixed.
I don't know why something like this wouldn't come standard on a high end RV.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Cilrah

We just had a power outage here in our park and lost power to several wall outlets, the fireplace, and the fridge. I'm pretty sure we took some kind of serious damage to one of our inverters but I hoping no damage to the wiring. I did plug the extremely large fridge/freezer into an extension cord and it still works (thank god) but I can't get the fireplace working. Trust me a Progressive Industries Surge Protector is on my list when I bring the Travel Supreme in to have the problem fixed.
I don't know why something like this wouldn't come standard on a high end RV.

I would check to see if a GFI has tripped someplace in your coach. Even check on your inverter as there may be a couple of circuit breakers there too.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Mageksl]

I recently got the Progressive Industries 50A hard wired EMS. I was about to make the install between the cord and the transfer switch and somehow I wound up reviewing some old work orders from the previous owner. There I found the replacement of two tvs and something else electronic with a diagnosis of excess voltage coming from the generator.

Anyway, I wound up making the installation between the transfer switch and the coach wiring. I know I'm sacrificing the transfer switch to any spikes/problems but I wanted a more complete protection for the electronics inside.

[dsbike]

I just ordered a new PI 50 amp. Comes with a lifetime warrenty. I had another brand. It suffered a catostrophic failure when switching from gen to shore. Nonrepairable, only a 1yr warrenty and it was less than 2yrs old. Felt like a loss of $300. I dont believe there was voltage shock, the relay had been making noise for about 2 weeks before. At least with PI you get lifetime warrenty and assistance.

[steelheadbluesman]

Originally Posted by Mageksl

I recently got the Progressive Industries 50A hard wired EMS. I was about to make the install between the cord and the transfer switch and somehow I wound up reviewing some old work orders from the previous owner. There I found the replacement of two tvs and something else electronic with a diagnosis of excess voltage coming from the generator.

Anyway, I wound up making the installation between the transfer switch and the coach wiring. I know I'm sacrificing the transfer switch to any spikes/problems but I wanted a more complete protection for the electronics inside.

I've never heard of generator spikes, and would be interested if anyone else has experienced or heard of this -- but I think you make an excellent point. I would prefer to sacrifice my TS in favor of the rest!

[ImagineIF]

Originally Posted by Mageksl

Anyway, I wound up making the installation between the transfer switch and the coach wiring. I know I'm sacrificing the transfer switch to any spikes/problems but I wanted a more complete protection for the electronics inside.

I recently installed a hardwired Surge Guard 50 in the same place for the same reason (protection for surge AND over/under voltage from BOTH commercial and generator power).

I do realize the circuit board in the transfer switch is not surge protected.

Gil

[jlfbatonrg]

We have a Progessive Industries portable surge protector and it has saved us twice about Rv park power problems. However the best save had nothng to do with the RV Park itself. Lightning struck the power transformer that feeds the park. Those in our group without protectors got plenty of electrical damage from the strike. Our protector gave up it's life, but we received no damage. one week later we had another protector. I wouldn't be without one.

Jim

[srt20]

So if I am reading this correctly, I can use a portable surge protector inside the electrical compartment in the basement? It does not need to be out by the pedestal? I understand that I would have to use a "extension cord" and that cord would be at risk. But I would rather not have the surge protector in plain site of thieves.