Are surge protectors needed?

Rolle · 08-05-2020, 06:48 PM

Hi,
I’m new to RV, but have extensive experience from yachting. There are many things that are the same, batteries, chargers, air conditions etc. One thing that I never have seen on a yacht is a surge protector device. I would think that the problems with low and high voltages are as common on a campground vs marina? Why are surge protectors so common on RV:s?

wiscampsin · 08-06-2020, 07:19 AM

Considering what it would cost to replace all onboard electronics/appliances surge protection is a good idea. A better idea would be the next step up, an EMS unit that offers much more protection.

EA37TS · 08-06-2020, 07:27 AM

Our surge protector has caught faulty campground wiring on a couple of occasions. We do not leave home without it.

I am planning on installing a permanent EMS in the future but that is about middle of the mod priority list right now.

Marcm157 · 08-06-2020, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiscampsin

Considering what it would cost to replace all onboard electronics/appliances surge protection is a good idea. A better idea would be the next step up, an EMS unit that offers much more protection.

X2 - I won't plug my camper into any pedestal, even mine at home without full EMS protection. It was the first upgrade I did to my trailer.

**Midnightmoon** · 08-06-2020, 07:28 AM

My Progressive Industries unit took a direct hit during a thunderstorm early last summer when lightning hit a tree 100 ft behind the trailer. The PI unit was fried but the trailer was fine. To me, that was money well spent.

Vicr · 08-06-2020, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolle

Hi,
I’m new to RV, but have extensive experience from yachting. There are many things that are the same, batteries, chargers, air conditions etc. One thing that I never have seen on a yacht is a surge protector device. I would think that the problems with low and high voltages are as common on a campground vs marina? Why are surge protectors so common on RV:s?

To answer his question, RV parks and campground electrical systems are poorly maintained and in the summer high demands from AC's running draw a lot of amperage which cause the voltage to drop. You want an "Electrical Management System" not s "surge protector". Google Hughes Watchdog.

curver900 · 08-06-2020, 07:33 AM

I'm surprised they aren't common in the marine environment. They are not a requirement for sure, but they are a good insurance policy. I would call it and pressure regulator as insurance policies. You don't need them 999999 out of 1000000 but that one time is the time you will be glad you had it...

I'm speaking of an EMS... your question was Surge protection... I would save my money on just a surge protector....and go EMS

Slurugger · 08-06-2020, 07:35 AM

Another vote for won't leave home without it! With had several occasions where the campground experienced brown outs or low voltage and our EMS cut the power instead of having all the electrical devices run on low voltage and potentially cause damage...

Jagiven · 08-06-2020, 07:43 AM

I do not often hear of people who just install a surge protector for their RV. It seams that those people who have an electrical service protection have an EMS. It has more smart features.

I have to admit, I do not have a surge protector or EMS. I do not know anyone personally that has one. Where we camp very rarely do I see an external unit mounted to a shore power post. Is it a good idea, probably. Could it prevent a summer of cancelled trips as you are reworking all the electrical items in your TT, probably.

I have from time to time unplugged my TT from the shore power post , when I foresee a bad storm rolling in. But that is not always practical or feasible. It also does not protect you from random electrical spikes or low voltage issues.

Marcm157 · 08-06-2020, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I do not often hear of people who just install a surge protector for their RV. It seams that those people who have an electrical service protection have an EMS. It has more smart features.

I have to admit, I do not have a surge protector or EMS. I do not know anyone personally that has one. Where we camp very rarely do I see an external unit mounted to a shore power post. Is it a good idea, probably. Could it prevent a summer of cancelled trips as you are reworking all the electrical items in your TT, probably.

I have from time to time unplugged my TT from the shore power post , when I foresee a bad storm rolling in. But that is not always practical or feasible. It also does not protect you from random electrical spikes or low voltage issues.

Just curious why you don't use one?

Camper_bob · 08-06-2020, 07:58 AM

We recently had a lightning strike VERY near our home. The camper happened to be plugged into shore power at the house at the time (I have 50A dedicated RV outlet right next to main service panel).

We have "whole home" surge protection on the house, and we still lost a TV and a DVD player (but that was all; it could've been worse). The impetus for installing that device in the first place was a surge during a storm that fried the control board in our fridge at the house.

Anyway, I can't say for sure, but I think that strike caused AT LEAST one problem in my motorhome. One of the control modules "went bad" at exactly the same time in the chassis. Could be coincidence, or it could have caused the problem. I'm also having other problems, and the likelihood they were caused by that strike is VERY low, but it's still rattling around in the back of my brain that they COULD've been caused by a surge, which could have been prevented if I had an EMS installed...

Either way, I will be installing an EMS on the MH. Thankfully so far the damage has been covered under various warranties, but those warranties will run out soon. If an EMS can protect even one piece of equipment, it will have paid for itself.

RedHorse1 · 08-06-2020, 08:07 AM

I look at them like insurance, it’s not necessary until you need it. If you need it and don’t have it it’s too late.

NVGun40 · 08-06-2020, 08:30 AM

Are surge protectors needed? The simple answer is NO.
You are right about the seafaring community; surge protectors are not a common thing there to.

I have been around camping RVs since the late seventies. For many years, I never used a surge protector or EMS. I even lived in my fifth wheel for 2 years and never had so much of a hiccup.

That said, with my past two trailers, I have had a surge protector. I use it whenever I stay at a campground/park with hookups (which for me, is very very very very rare, maybe once per year).
Todays RVs are much more loaded with sensitive electronics with regards to refrigerator, furnace and water heater control boards. Many models have distribution and control panels that use touch screens. Therefore it is highly recommended to use a surge protector to protect those systems.

When my trailer is parked and plugged in at home, I don't use a surge protector. When I am out boondocking or dry camping and I plug in to my inverter generator, I don't use a surge protector. Yet, if I am out hunting (boondocking) I may use my bigger 5500 watt construction generator and when I do, I use a surge protector because that generator doesn't produce the clean power that an inverter generator produces. Finally, as I said earlier, when at a park or campground, I use one.

It is definitely better to use one than not.

TxLoser · 08-06-2020, 08:49 AM

I’ve always used a surge protector just as cheap insurance except when using my gen. A couple years back at one park it warned me of an open ground but aside from that I don’t know if it’s been of benefit or not. Certainly cheap relative to everything else and doesn’t add any time to setup.

I considered an EMS system because I like all that techy stuff, but it seems I’m frequently reading posts of people having issues because the EMS detects a minor fault and won’t allow power from the pedestal. Makes me think they’re too picky and don’t allow enough variances. Maybe I’ll eat my words on that someday with a damaged electrical system but I hope not.

RetiredOne · 08-06-2020, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicr

T Google Hughes Watchdog.

Or, Progressive Industries EMS.

**JFlightRisk** · 08-06-2020, 09:33 AM

We frequent a state park that always has had very stable power over the years. One weekend our EMS shut us down because a truck had hit a power pole with a transformer on it, and that was 10 miles away. You never know what will cause a spike, or from where. I'll gladly pay for another EMS versus an AC unit or refrigerator.

Jagiven · 08-06-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcm157

Just curious why you don't use one?

Ultimately I'm cheap, and have never gotten around to researching and deciding which one is best for me. I do think about it from time to time.

We rarely use any electronics when camping, so if something blows it really will not be a big deal unless it is the frig.

I took the tv out after the first trip, radio only gets turned on when we are loading or unloading the TT. Water heater just wastes water, as it so far away from our faucets, and we virtually never have full hookups, so it rarely gets used, I turn it off at the circuit breaker, so we do not accidentally burn up a heating element, if someone flips the switch. DW does like her AC, the electronics are easy in it. Only things left are the frig and power converter (12 volt lights).

My insurance is good, and is cheaper than the EMS. So, it ultimately comes back to being cheap.

I have to admit, when we replace this TT, I will consider an EMS for the new one.

Marcm157 · 08-06-2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Ultimately I'm cheap, and have never gotten around to researching and deciding which one is best for me. I do think about it from time to time.

We rarely use any electronics when camping, so if something blows it really will not be a big deal unless it is the frig.

I took the tv out after the first trip, radio only gets turned on when we are loading or unloading the TT. Water heater just wastes water, as it so far away from our faucets, and we virtually never have full hookups, so it rarely gets used, I turn it off at the circuit breaker, so we do not accidentally burn up a heating element, if someone flips the switch. DW does like her AC, the electronics are easy in it. Only things left are the frig and power converter (12 volt lights).

My insurance is good, and is cheaper than the EMS. So, it ultimately comes back to being cheap.

I have to admit, when we replace this TT, I will consider an EMS for the new one.

Now I understand-Thanks for the honesty - it is very refreshing!!

WeRJuliian · 08-06-2020, 11:12 AM

Needed? No, absolutely not.

Then again, you don't need a belt, but, when your trousers fall down, you'll wish you had one...

Keep in mind that a surge protector will only save you from ... well, surges... periods of high voltage.
They won't do you any good against low voltage "brownouts", which can be just as damaging.
For that, you need something a little more flexible, as has already been noted.

The only marinas I've ever used, all had protection built into in the dockside power box, but they were in various bits of Europe, so the rules may be different here.

edatlanta · 08-07-2020, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcm157

X2 - I won't plug my camper into any pedestal, even mine at home without full EMS protection. It was the first upgrade I did to my trailer.

I agree completely. I had high voltage at my home site a couple of years back due to a failed utility company transformer. It was putting out approx 140v and all of my neighbors on that same transformer had damage and I had none. I full time, 10 years now, and I have two EMS units. One for every day use and a spare. I absolutely will not plug in anywhere without one.

You may also like: