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Old 03-24-2015, 08:15 AM   #1
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Ever have campsite power pedstal issues. Surge, etc?

Have you ever experienced any issues or damage from a surge or improperly wired power pedestal?
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Old 03-24-2015, 08:20 AM   #2
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I've used a surge protector (Progressive Industries) since acquiring the X23B, after the trade to the 5th I got another hard wired 50A unit with remote display. Only once have I seen any indication that the device "caught" something. In my case it was a low voltage alert. Happened while we were away. The remote is at a convenient level when entering and I try to take a look every time I go in (for a refill). I've seen a few 20A plugs that looked a little "burned around the edges" that I wouldn't have wanted to use. I've not noticed any "suspect" 50A plugs but they seem to get less use than the 30A and I've noticed a few that have seen better days.
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Old 03-24-2015, 08:30 AM   #3
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No, we never did with either our motorhome or tent-trailer.
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Old 03-24-2015, 08:34 AM   #4
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One of the first "mods" I made to our TT was adding an EMS. I figured for the price of the EMS, it was cheaper than replacing the circuit board on my fridge, A/C, hot water heater and anything else susceptible to damage from an incoming electrical issue.

I have experienced two electrical "anomalies" at two different CGs. At one, the incoming amperage kept dipping . It was a cool day and not many campers were out but once I brought the issue to the CG attendant, he admitted there had been an issue at the site the week before and had me move. In the other instance, the voltage kept dropping and finally the 30A breaker just lost power completely. We opted to stay at that site and just use the 50A feed with an adapter.

I don't think the issues were related to improper wiring (the EMS would have told me otherwise) or a CG wide surge. I can't say that I would have experienced any damage from either of those instances if I didn't have the EMS but you cannot rule out random electrical malfunctions. even at a newer CG.
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Old 03-24-2015, 10:32 AM   #5
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I would never plug into a CG pedestal without Progressive Industries power protection unit. I've seen many problems with pedestals mostly due to lack of maintenance on the part of the CG.
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Old 03-24-2015, 10:55 AM   #6
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I caught one that had an open Netural but did not plug in. I don't have a built in so I plug in my Progressive Industries SP and read the lights before I plug the trailer to the Surge protector.
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Old 03-24-2015, 11:45 AM   #7
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Our EMS has shut off (or kept off) power three times due to: low voltage, a bad ground, and a reversed hot/neutral. The low voltage can damage your AC, and the bad ground or reversed hot/neutral can, under the right circumstances, kill you.

Yea EMS!
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Old 03-24-2015, 03:28 PM   #8
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Never had an EMS with my old trailer, never had a problem either. The new trailer has a lot more electronics and a much higher repair cost if something breaks. I'll be paying $250 +/- for lifetime insurance against a power problem.
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Old 03-24-2015, 04:30 PM   #9
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lightning

Last season a storm rolled in started firing of lightning. A friend had her little trailer plugged into power, no protection. She lost most electrical to the tune of $2000. She now has a Progressive unit. The $200 seems like cheap one time cost.
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Old 03-24-2015, 05:42 PM   #10
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I'll have to look into one myself. I've only camped once. And had no problem, but I spent alot on a honda eu3000is because it was an inverter type. So I guess it would be stupid to not protect the electronics when hooked up at the campsite
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Old 03-24-2015, 05:49 PM   #11
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Yes, I have had a converter destroyed by a campground neutral failure in the middle of the night. It was immediately after that I purchased a Progressive Industries EMS PT-30.

Since then I have been to a state park campground where I found 10 sites with the hot/neutral reversed.

Any who does not at least check the pedestal for proper wiring and voltage is simply rolling the dice and trusting to their luck. Obviously luck holds good for most people. MOST campers I watch set up never check anything. Just plug 'er in!
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Old 03-24-2015, 07:01 PM   #12
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A couple of years ago when it was hot out, We were at a state park campground and i noticed at night the red led was flashing occasionally on my surge guard. I walked over to the pedestal and watched the display for a bit. When it flashed, the display would read "Open Neutral". It would only happen for a few seconds and go away. It seemed to happen when the campground was really full. We stayed there for a week. When the place emptied out on Monday, the problem went away for the week until the following Friday when the place filled up again. The park rangers sent an electrician to check things out and found nothing causing it. He blamed the surge guard. I tried to get a return visit from him on the following weekend...no luck. To this day my surge guard works fine.

One thing I really did notice is the huge voltage drop when the place filled up. When the CG is empty, my display reads 122 Volts. when it's full, it's usually in the 112-115 Volt range.
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Old 03-24-2015, 07:09 PM   #13
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My EMS shut off power for low voltage several times, 3 or 4, always during hot days in busy campgrounds.

It has also detected one instance of a bad ground connection, which ironically enough was a CG owned by the utility company at one of their hydroelectric generation lakes. The had a tech to my site in an hour or so how corrected the issue at the pedestal.

I don't know if any of these events would have caused damage to my TT, but I didn't/don't have to worry about it thanks to my SurgeGuard.
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Old 03-25-2015, 03:40 PM   #14
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A few years ago I was connected to power and noticed that every time we would to enter the RV, we'd get a shock when touching the door or grab handle. Was occurring to other campers around me too. The campground owner eventually tracked down the issue to an open ground on a light pole that was on the same circuit. Bought a surge protector after that.
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Old 03-25-2015, 03:55 PM   #15
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Is this the one to get? I have 30 amp in my TT Progressive Industries 30 Amp Portable Surge Protector from tweetys.com
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Old 03-25-2015, 04:59 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by go wild View Post
A few years ago I was connected to power and noticed that every time we would to enter the RV, we'd get a shock when touching the door or grab handle. Was occurring to other campers around me too. The campground owner eventually tracked down the issue to an open ground on a light pole that was on the same circuit. Bought a surge protector after that.
Be aware that a surge protector only will not help in this scenario. Only a full EMS will kill the power in this situation.
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Old 03-25-2015, 05:05 PM   #17
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A HA! ...... So this is what I need? Progressive Industries Portable 30AMP Electrical Management System Might be a little woried about it growing legs in the middle of the night at that price though. Any security for it?
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Old 03-25-2015, 05:11 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by rick danger View Post
a ha! ...... So this is what i need? progressive industries portable 30amp electrical management system might be a little woried about it growing legs in the middle of the night at that price though. Any security for it?
that's it!

It has a tab that can be used for a cable lock. Many pedestals can be closed and locked with a padlock. I do this whenever possible which is most of the time.

Built in Lock Bracket: Allows the user to secure to power source to prevent theft.
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Old 03-25-2015, 05:16 PM   #19
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Or, you could get install a hard wire system. It can't walk off, you can't forget to bring it, and nobody can drop a BBQ cooker on it.
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Old 03-25-2015, 05:17 PM   #20
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A HA! ...... So this is what I need? Progressive Industries Portable 30AMP Electrical Management System Might be a little woried about it growing legs in the middle of the night at that price though. Any security for it?
I have the hard wired Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C. I sleep well knowing it will not grow legs at night.

Progressive Indistries 30 Amp Electrical Management System w Remote Display
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