Breaker box offer any surge protection?

[mblann1960]

So I'm a new owner of a Jayco 198RD TT. I'm reading in a lot of posts about getting a surge protector...some say it's a must, other's say they've been camping for years and have never used one. My question, what about the Breaker box in my camper? It doesn't offer any protection? Just curious, cause I want to make sure I have enough protection when camping.

[weekender]

Congratulations on the new travel trailer.

You will get alot of different answers, but the surge protector is one of those things that you may never need, but will be glad you have if anything ever happens. As one of the ones who recently installed a surge protector I decided that it was the right thing for me.

To answer your question the breaker box in your camper will offer protection if you overload the circuits such as running the AC, microwave, coffee pot and curling iron at the same time. It does not have any surge protection feature however and is just like the breaker box in your home. That is why you may have surge protectors on your TV and other electronics in your home. If there is a surge of power the surge protector will clamp it off up to a certain amount based upon the Joules rating.

My feel is that if you do decide to purchase one that you go ahead and purchase the best protector you can if you are going to spend the money. The higher end ones such as the Progessive or Surge Guard that are over $200 will also check the circuit when you plug your trailer into the campground pedestal. Things that my surge protector checks/monitors is High/Low Voltage, Reverse Polarity, Open Ground, Open Neutral, etc. Also the one I have shows the voltage and I can see when the voltage is dropping in the campground. I have camped at 2 different places this year where the voltage dropped down to 110V. While this did not trigger the unit to trip I knew to watch it. The lower voltage can damage your AC unit.

In the end the decision you will make will be what gives you peace of mind. We camped several years before and never had one, but decided to install one when we upgraded to our newer Jayco. Hopefully we never need it to work however.

Good luck with your decision.

[mblann1960]

Thanks for all the good info...that makes sense. Guess I need to plan on dropping a few hundred bucks on a good surge protector. Which one do you use?

Thanks again...

Mark

[RedHorse1]

Hey mblann,
I'm with "week", we've had 2 Progressive Ind. units. The first was 30A for the X23B and was a pole-mount. I got a 50A hard-wired model for the 5th and installed it myself. I can't say that either has saved my bacon but I've read some horror stories about electronics damaged by unstable power at the CG. So it helps me sleep better at night (sometimes during the day too).

[weekender]

I recently installed this hardwired version. Camping world had it at the lowest cost:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...otection/56419

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by weekender

I recently installed this hardwired version. Camping world had it at the lowest cost:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...otection/56419

Yup, that's the one I put in the 5th (50A model). Seem to remember getting it from Tweety's.

[tinlizzie23]

We use a Progressive Industries portable 50amp unit cable-locked to the CG pedestal. Yes, I know that a bolt cutter would defeat the cable lock, but at least it discourages casual thieves. However, I learned from my insurance company that most, including mine, homeowner policies will cover up to 10% of the value of your personal belongings, wherever they are located. That would include the PI EMS unit, if it is stolen while being used with my camper at the CG. We have not had any problems with the PI unit, and it automatically performs all checks on the CG system before allowing current to enter the camper. Peace of mind is a good thing, IMHO.

[mjlaupp]

I had the dealer install this Surge-Guard unit in my new 5th at time of purchase:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-monitor/22150

[Raugustin]

Originally Posted by mblann1960

So I'm a new owner of a Jayco 198RD TT. I'm reading in a lot of posts about getting a surge protector...some say it's a must, other's say they've been camping for years and have never used one. My question, what about the Breaker box in my camper? It doesn't offer any protection? Just curious, cause I want to make sure I have enough protection when camping.

Hi Mblan.
I just installed 3 V130LA10A Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV) on my supply in the breaker panel. The MOV's are connected across Black & white, white & ground and black & ground on the incoming wires. They cost only penny's and offer protection for surges. They are easy to install and you can get them from ebay or any electronic supply outlet. Overload protection is generally provide within the units such as the AC, fridge etc. and overcurrent protection is provided by the breakers in the panel. I do agree that surge protection is must especially when moving around the country.

Cheers,

Ron

[Tanker Yanker 43]

My opinion--- you really need surge protection --- I installed a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C (30A hard wired unit) inside a kitchen cabinet with the remote LED readout just under the countertop. Working great --- love the peace of mind --- shut down everything when voltage dropped below 104v at the campground and DW and I were gone for the day. Glad I installed it. PI has great tech support also. Good luck with whatever unit you decide on--- but get something reliable.

[SouthCo]

We have the progressive industries 30a and it detected a low voltage situation and did it's thing while camping last weekend. I had the A/C going so I guess it was good I had it and it's worth the few hundred I paid for it....

[dg1971]

I have been reading previous posts about surge protectors. A lot of the JOF members opt for the 200.00 to 300.00 wired in protectors. Wondering if the portable 30 amp in line model will give one the basic protection to safeguard the units electrical system. Camping World has the Surge Guard Model 44260 on sale for $78.87 (40 dollars and change less than regular price).I realize you get what you pay for etc. but this item sure sounds better than nothing. Can anyone who has one of these give it a thumbs up...or down?

[msnyder755]

Thumbs up I have this same one. Some are fearful or worried about theft but honestly i have never had an issue with anything like that.

[Kellys]

Surge protectors are all the same , some folks prefer some brands over others

[tnchuck100]

Originally Posted by Raugustin

.... Overload protection is generally provide within the units such as the AC, fridge etc. and overcurrent protection is provided by the breakers in the panel. ....

This is not "protection" in the sense it will save the device. This protection comes into play upon a catastrophic failure of that device. It is actually protecting the wiring from overload and possibly creating a fire hazard.

To protect your RV systems you need a a device that suppresses surges AND can protect from over/undervoltage and faulty wiring.

Just this past weekend I was at a park where the voltage went above 132V. My EMS cut the power to the camper.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by dg1971

I have been reading previous posts about surge protectors. A lot of the JOF members opt for the 200.00 to 300.00 wired in protectors. Wondering if the portable 30 amp in line model will give one the basic protection to safeguard the units electrical system. Camping World has the Surge Guard Model 44260 on sale for $78.87 (40 dollars and change less than regular price).I realize you get what you pay for etc. but this item sure sounds better than nothing. Can anyone who has one of these give it a thumbs up...or down?

Dan that is a surge guard only... and will not protect from under voltage.. the more expensive model instantly cuts power off if it reads miss-wired, over voltage, or under voltage. the one you are showing only cuts power off if it detects a spike in power..

[tnchuck100]

Originally Posted by Seann45

....the one you are showing only cuts power off if it detects a spike in power..

Just a fine point here;
The surge protect does not "cut off" the power. It only suppresses (absorbs) the voltage spike.

I think that is probably what you meant but I wanted to make it clear for others.

[Brownie]

I have the Surge Guard 30Amp pole mounted unit . . . not the one shown in dg1971's post - the more expensive one. I was told by the Camping World salesman that the one shown is ok for a pop-up, but won't protect expensive appliances (like your A.C., refrig., microwave or television against low voltage. JMHO, but it seems to me that in many older campgrounds, the electrical systems may be heavily challenged on hot, busy weekends, when everyone is running their A.C. units. The risk of a "brown out" ruining my appliances is what prompted me to go with the more expensive unit that protects against high/low voltage, open ground, and all the rest. After paying big bucks for my trailer, spending a couple hundred to protect it seemed like cheap insurance (and a lot better payback than my insurance company offered).

I use a good quality padlock on the pedestal tab to keep it from "walking off". I bought a 3-pack of matching locks, so I only need to carry one key for that lock, the one on my hitch coupler, and the one to secure the things on my tote tray.

[3'senough]

I did the hardwire EMS 50A with remote display. Agree with all on the surge guard vs an EMS. The remote display will give you fault codes, amps on each pole as well as volts and disconnect when there is an issue. I had a TV fry on a previous unit and I am sure it was the result of some elctrical issue as I did not have any protection. Lesson learned.

[dg1971]

Thanks, all...that clears up a lot of questions I had about these devices. I think I will spend a little more money and get one that offers more protection than the basic models. A burned out a/c unit would cost a lot more for sure.