Surge protector - Page 2

Wireman · 08-11-2018, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

Progressive has a lifetime warranty also. If you can I would suggest you get the hard wired unit, it has a display that will show the condition of the electrical system constantly. You should get the EMS electrical management system not just a surge guard. It is much more common to have other electrical issues rather than surges....ie low voltage, reverse polarity or open neutrals.

Good luck and happy carefree camping !

X2. The unit with the remote display costs more, but is nice to have.

nancyxray · 08-11-2018, 01:54 PM

We purchased the surge guard 30 amp last September. Worked fine until last week. The house cord was fused into the surge protector. Can’t figure out why it didn’t shut down or throw a code. It finally cooled off after unplugging from the camp post and was able to get it apart. Surge protector didn’t work after that. Sent it to the factory, their supposed to be sending me a new one. Not sure I would purchase this brand again.

Barbara20112 · 08-11-2018, 03:09 PM

Do not skimp on getting a good surge protector! As others' have mentioned, good models have additional, important features. We have a Surge Guard and it cost about $275 (2017). We have friends who didn't want to spend the money on a surge protector and ruined their electrical system at a bad outlet. Just yesterday, we pulled into a site, plugged it in and got a message about "reverse polarity" - had to move to another site. We plug that in first thing and wait for green light before doing any other set-up. Consider it an insurance policy.

homer1959 · 08-11-2018, 03:49 PM

Im kind of reluctant to buy a hard wire one, Im thinking that if one day , the gizmo goes bezerk ... you are stuck with no power in the trailer .... but I could be wrong if there is a way to bypass it, so tell me can you bypass the hard wired unit ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

Progressive has a lifetime warranty also. If you can I would suggest you get the hard wired unit, it has a display that will show the condition of the electrical system constantly. You should get the EMS electrical management system not just a surge guard. It is much more common to have other electrical issues rather than surges....ie low voltage, reverse polarity or open neutrals.

Good luck and happy carefree camping !

Wireman · 08-11-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1959

Im kind of reluctant to buy a hard wire one, Im thinking that if one day , the gizmo goes bezerk ... you are stuck with no power in the trailer .... but I could be wrong if there is a way to bypass it, so tell me can you bypass the hard wired unit ?

Page 3, Bypass switch.

SURGE PROTECTOR INFO.pdf

homer1959 · 08-11-2018, 08:05 PM

So all is good thanks :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wireman

Page 3, Bypass switch.

Attachment 43068

JKnox8688 · 08-11-2018, 09:30 PM

I’ve worked in the power industry for many years, high voltage is very rare, unlike low voltage, which can be very prevalent especially around a campground with 100 air conditioners running. I see things I like, but as someone said we all have our “I” stuff plugged in, and refrigerators. What I use to install for people were power conditioner which has an internal battery the kicks in when power fluctuates. It keeps you with a steady voltage until the battery runs low, so you have time to unplug. Are there units like this, it shows voltage amps and such. That’s a unit I would be interested in. Hint on voltage - regular power companies usually will have voltage from 118-120v, if an electric coop providing electricity 120-124v.

edatlanta · 08-12-2018, 06:08 AM

Bypass Switch = No Protection

This is why I have a portable PT50X. Actually I have two of them - one for full time use and the other as a spare when the primary one has an issue and has to go back for repair, etc. And when one of them gets smoked, I would feel better that it is smoking outside, vs in my basement.

Wireman · 08-12-2018, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edatlanta

Bypass Switch = No Protection

This is why I have a portable PT50X. Actually I have two of them - one for full time use and the other as a spare when the primary one has an issue and has to go back for repair, etc. And when one of them gets smoked, I would feel better that it is smoking outside, vs in my basement.

Your choice. Last sentence says surge protection is still there, not the other options.

wabirch · 08-12-2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1959

Im kind of reluctant to buy a hard wire one, Im thinking that if one day , the gizmo goes bezerk ... you are stuck with no power in the trailer .... but I could be wrong if there is a way to bypass it, so tell me can you bypass the hard wired unit ?

Instead of running shore power straight to EMS I added extra sets of plugs / connectors that I can bypass the EMS entirely if needed.

I am considering running a surge protector before the EMS, so the EMS's board doesn't take the hit.

Leesway · 08-13-2018, 08:22 AM

We bought Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C on Amazon. It's the hardwired version. It's not difficult to install yourself. We camped the first year without one and had our microwave and coffee maker zapped. Thankfully, we were still under warranty. We haven't blown a single fuse since installation. Definitely worth keeping your RV investment safe.
Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C Portable Electrical Management System - 30 Amp

2edgesword · 08-13-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancyxray

We purchased the surge guard 30 amp last September. Worked fine until last week. The house cord was fused into the surge protector. Can’t figure out why it didn’t shut down or throw a code. It finally cooled off after unplugging from the camp post and was able to get it apart. Surge protector didn’t work after that. Sent it to the factory, their supposed to be sending me a new one. Not sure I would purchase this brand again.

Which Surge Guard 30 amp model was it? The different models sell for anywhere from $70 up to $250.

Depending on the reason for the heat the unit may or may not shut down power. If there is a loose connection or a high resistance connection (i.e. oxidation, dirt, corrosion on the contact surfaces of either the male or female side of the plug) the heat generated from even normal current/voltage may not shut down most units but char the prongs.

A good practice when arriving to a campsite is to examine the condition of the plug on the power post (minimal sights of overheat and charring), switch off the circuit breaker at the post before plugging in your power cord or surge protection and keep the surfaces of the prongs on your equipment clean and bright.

Wisco Dude · 08-13-2018, 10:38 AM

I have a Hughes Autoformer. Protects against low voltage, etc. Expensive, but worth it IMHO.

Wireman · 08-13-2018, 12:50 PM

What ever your preference is, plugin, hard wired, $, $$$, at least you have something protecting your RV.

It seems there are a lot of bad plugs at the power post being noted.

Get the best protector that your budget can handle, it's a fairly cheap insurance policy.

.

AJP207 · 08-14-2018, 09:02 AM

I have 50 amp service to my trailer which I reduce to 30 amp with an adaptor because that is all I need and a 30 amp cord is so much easier to deal with. Am I correct that using a 30 surge protector at the campground post will work for my situation.

Thanks in advance

wags999 · 08-14-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJP207

I have 50 amp service to my trailer which I reduce to 30 amp with an adaptor because that is all I need and a 30 amp cord is so much easier to deal with. Am I correct that using a 30 surge protector at the campground post will work for my situation.

Thanks in advance

You are aware you will less than 1/3 of the available power (wattage) of your 50 amp service.

Oma/opa · 08-14-2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leesway

We bought Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C on Amazon. It's the hardwired version. It's not difficult to install yourself. We camped the first year without one and had our microwave and coffee maker zapped. Thankfully, we were still under warranty. We haven't blown a single fuse since installation. Definitely worth keeping your RV investment safe.
Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C Portable Electrical Management System - 30 Amp

If I have read Progressive Industries warranty correctly, unless the hard wired unit is installed by a qualified rv dealer, the warranty is void

Wireman · 08-14-2018, 02:25 PM

[QUOTE=Oma/opa;676950]If I have read Progressive Industries warranty correctly, unless the hard wired unit is installed by a qualified rv dealer, the warranty is void[/QUOTE

I wired mine in myself and I can tell you I'm a lot more qualified than most of the so called RV tech's in the business.

Pretty hard to tell me it's a problem I caused if it fails, when it's been installed for 2+ years and no issues.

nancyxray · 08-14-2018, 05:08 PM

I wanted to let people know that the surge guard company sent us a new surge protector. We were well within the warranty but you just never know. Very easy to work with. Got the new one in about 10 days. Not sure what happened to it, but very thankful the company stands by their warranty since it cost $325.

**norty1** · 08-20-2018, 08:06 AM

Yesterday we were in the rig and both ac's were running. We heard a change in the fan motor and then bam, both went off.

The PT50c shut my power down. My neighbor had a fan running outside and said he also heard the fan slow down about the same time my power shut off.

We did not see any error on the indicator but the pedestal breaker was fine.

We un-plugged and re-plugged it and all came back fine.

I think the ems saw a low voltage situation and shut the power down.

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