30 amp Surge protector?

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Hello all! In south Florida new to travel trailer life. Quick question.. Im planning to have a 30 amp outlet installed by electrician next to trailer do i need a surge protector? Or can i just plug in directly. Ive read without it you can mess up your appliances or electrical system. The power does go out here almost every day for like a second and comes back on i dont know if that means anything. Thanks for any advice in advance!

[edatlanta]

I NEVER EVER plug in anywhere including my home base without my PT50X. Your choice of a protective device is yours, but I certainly recommend one. I have had voltage spikes and sustained high voltage (over 132v) at my home base site and my EMS protected me. This was on a major utility power system in a residential area not a campground. You never know when you will get hit with an electrical issue that could be damaging to your rig.

[2nOZ]

We have our camper plugged into our outlet on the side of the house. We ALWAYS use a surge protector no matter whether we are at home or camping. Highly recommend using one.

[TCNashville]

You want more than just simple surge protection. Most of us have an EMS such as these. Yes they're a little spendy but worth every penny.
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-RV-S...ag=googhydr-20
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Watchdo...ag=googhydr-20

[Springhook]

Originally Posted by 2nOZ

We have our camper plugged into our outlet on the side of the house. We ALWAYS use a surge protector no matter whether we are at home or camping. Highly recommend using one.

X2.

[2naEagle]

Do yourself a big favor and get a EMS its so much more than just a surge protector.

[2edgesword]

A protection device that protects against surge, low/high voltage, reverse polarity, ground fault, etc. is always a good idea. All it takes is one “incident” to cause thousands of dollars in damage. I prefer one that has a display that can be mounted inside the RV so you can monitor voltage, current and a visible indication if an event happens.

[Jay2504]

When you get the outlet wired up for the camper at home, make sure that the person doing the job, licensed or not, understands that the outlet IS 120 volts! People have wired these outlets up to be 240 volts, frying the stuff in the camper. I would even go so far as to have him test it in front of you BEFORE the camper is plugged in for the first time. Jay

[wiscampsin]

Another vote for an EMS instead of just a surge protector. A little more $ but alot more protection, worth every dollar. I installed the hard wired unit because I like the digital readout.

[Jagiven]

At home, I installed a whole house surge protection. The entire house both garages and the TT is protected.

A surge protector and an EMS is not the same. An EMS will monitor, and disconnect the power if there is a voltage issue, like to high or low of voltage, reverse polarity or other voltage issues.

I have never had a voltage issue at my house. However, a couple years ago, my parent's had a very large tree in front of their house that got hit by lighting. All the direct buried electrical lines in the front and side yard were blown out of the ground (looked like moles had been there). The surge protector stopped the damage once it hit the main circuit panel. No damage inside the house or out to the garage (exits the other side of the house). Their TT was plugged in at the garage, no damage.

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Im loving this forum! Everyone is so helpful! Im learning little by little.. What is the difference between Epo and Ems?

From the two links above i like the idea that the watchdog connects to your phone for alerts and to monitor the volatage watts and amps being used. I dont think the pt30x does that and its an extra 100$. Does anyone have experience with the Watchdog? is it a good product? Most reviews seem to be good on amazon. Or if anyone has any other units they recommend id like to hear about it and why so i make a good purchase. Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Watchdo...ustomerReviews

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-RV-S...ag=googhydr-20

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Do these things pretty much last forever or what is the life expectancy?

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Jayco2015JayFLIGHT

Do these things pretty much last forever or what is the life expectancy?

No, unfortunately the don't last forever. I've had 2 Progressive Industries units fail in the last 5 years. The first one was due to a lightning strike. The PI unit took the hit, but there was absolutely no damage to the trailer electronics. The second PI unit failed internally (showing a continuous ground fault error) PI replaced that one under warranty.

[JFlightRisk]

snip...[QUOTE=Jayco2015JayFLIGHT;916381]Im loving this forum! Everyone is so helpful! Im learning little by little.. What is the difference between Epo and Ems?[QUOTE]

I don't think there's a big difference, other than I've heard an EPO will power back up quicker if it's tripped (I think). The reason for a delay, is for your A/C internal pressure to equalize before starting back up again. Both are good units to have, and the Watchdog has a user replaceable module (if it takes a hit), where the Progressive portables don't. Maybe something of importance if you live in an area with touchy electrical service.

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Hey guy thanks for the advice so far. I have another question. If I'm just using 15 amp service to charge the battery, do I still need a surge protector if the AC and everything is turned off? I left orange outside light on for day without realizing it. Dont want to ruin my new battery.

Also I noticed the radio is always on standby. It's always lit up. Is that going to drain the battery if it's not hooked up for weeks or months?

[NGaCamperz]

I have the Hughes Watchdog and it has been uneventful so far, so I can’t say long term. The surge unit is replaceable in the event it gets fried.

The TT will drain power. I disconnect the neg terminal when I store it. I have a solar battery tender but I have not yet tried leaving it attached w the tender on. In theory it should be fine.

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

That's the one I'm thinking about ordering.. do you have the ($190) EPO bluetooth one where you can monitor from your phone or the (95$) regular one? If you can just replace module doesnt that basically make it a lifetime unit? Stops working replace the surge unit and like new? Are you plugged into 15amp or 30?

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

How do you know if your battery of fully charged? Do I have to go out there with an amp meter?

[NGaCamperz]

Originally Posted by Jayco2015JayFLIGHT

That's the one I'm thinking about ordering.. do you have the ($190) EPO bluetooth one where you can monitor from your phone or the (95$) regular one? If you can just replace module doesnt that basically make it a lifetime unit? Stops working replace the surge unit and like new? Are you plugged into 15amp or 30?

I have the Bluetooth app. I notice the app disconnects often even moving about the trailer but it is cool to monitor the power usage with it. Theoretically it should be a lifetime. I’m on 30 amp power.

[NGaCamperz]

Originally Posted by Jayco2015JayFLIGHT

How do you know if your battery of fully charged? Do I have to go out there with an amp meter?

There’s a battery level light in the trailer but I carry a volt meter in my tool bag for an accurate reading.