Surge Protectors on Sale

[SmokeyBear-JAY]

I see where Camping World has a couple of surge protectors on sale. I found them both for the same price on their website. The text below each is from that website.

1. Electric World Portable RV Surge Protector $79.99
Protects valuable downstream electronics and RV appliances
Designed to absorb and divert high-voltage spikes and surges
7200J absorption capacity is the highest among portable RV surge protectors

2. Select Southwire Surge Protection $69.97
Don't let faulty power at RV campsites ruin your expensive electronics. With the Surge Guard 30A Surge Protector you can prevent such damage. This portable surge protector identifies faulty power and conveniently analyzes circuits to verify pedestal power. Features convenient Easy-T-Pull plug handles, plus it's equipped with indicators that illuminate to show power status. Tests for and indicates open ground, open neutral, and correct polarity

For both of these, your opinions please. Yay or Nay.

Not really interested in "You can get these [insert any website] for [insert any $].

The electronics in my RV are not sophisticated enough for an EMS.

Thanks.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

This is the one I got from Amazon. It has the highest joule rating I could find at 8000. GEARGO RV Surge Protector 30 Amp RV Circuit Analyzer Surge Guard Full Protection (8000 Joules), RV Adapter Plug for Camper (Green) https://a.co/d/emV54a9

 

[SmokeyBear-JAY]

Thanks. What is a joule? But you don't have any comment on what I posted? Yay or Nay?

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Any one of the three will be fine. Joules is a measurement of energy over a period of time. 8000 joules for 1 second is equal to 8000 watts. Instant energy would be 66.6 amps for 1 second.
Best wishes, Kevin

 

[Schiel1]

IMHO, you want more than a surge protector. You want a EMS . Besides surge you need it to check for other things like low/high voltage, open neutral, bad ground, etc.
The old, saying, you get what you pay for and 69.00 is pretty cheap.

I would suggest this or similar one. I've been using this one for past 6 years.

Progressive Industries RV Surge Protector – 30-50 Amp, Portable and Hardwired Options, with Fault Detection https://a.co/d/eX3uXWY

 

[pconroy]

The electronics in my RV are not sophisticated enough for an EMS.

Thanks.

Then I'd pick the Southwire one.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Then I'd pick the Southwire one.

If your electronics are not sophisticated enough, then why would you need either?

 

[Schiel1]

if your electronics are not sophisticated enough, then why would you need either?

what!

 

[LuckyDuck]

Personally, I’d pay more before I’ll give CW the business. You can get a Progressive 30amp surge protector from Amazon for $67. I think they’re better anyway: https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-...Oj7bhhAMVGxGtBh3opQJgEAQYBSABEgKHNPD_BwE&th=1

 

[pconroy]

If your electronics are not sophisticated enough, then why would you need either?

Because you and I know >>some<< of their electronics are sophisticated enough.

And - you can't put a price tag on Peace of Mind.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Because you and I know >>some<< of their electronics are sophisticated enough.

And - you can't put a price tag on Peace of Mind.

Agreed! But what makes some electronics sophisticated?

 

[Schiel1]

Agreed! But what makes some electronics sophisticated?

An EMS detects a multitude of electrical faults to keep from damaging appliances.
A surge protector does not. Only protects :against surges.

That said,
Not sure what (sophisticated) means either.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

I have a question. How many of you that are totally convinced that you must have Surge Protection for your RV have whole house surge protection on your house? Are there magical surges that only happen at RV parks?

 

[Schiel1]

I have a question. How many of you that are totally convinced that you must have Surge Protection for your RV have whole house surge protection on your house? Are there magical surges that only happen at RV parks?

Probably not more than at your home.
BUT as for bad voltage, grounds, neutral etc. Way more than you think. That's why an EMS is more important than a surge protector

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

The electronics may not be sophisticated, but wiring in and of itself is just wire and without proper protection, you could fry all the wire and whatever it's connected to, in a camper. Sophisticated stuff or not, replacing all the wire and your unsophisticated stuff would be a huge hassle and cost.

I decided low cost surge protection was not at option for the camper I paid hard money to buy. I went with the Watchdog. You can find lots of people selling perfectly good units at reasonable, used prices AND if it gets fried, 'the innards' of the unit can be replaced.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

A watchdog PD30 30 amp is a very nice EMS, has Bluetooth, and replaceable MOV in it. Being replaceable is nice. But if you are looking for higher surge protection, it is only rated at 3000 joules. The PWD-30-EPO has more functions, but still only 3000. The cheap one is $110 and the nicer one is $259. So, if you are looking for EMS, and Bluetooth with phone apps, good for that. If you are truly looking for surge protection, it doesn’t limit as much energy as others.
As far as frying all the wires in an RV, sorry but I’m skeptacle.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

RV park hookups are at times beat up and have all kinds of faulty wiring. My home does not.
If you don't subscribe to the chance of frying your RV wiring by way of a surge, then how do you subscribe to your stuff, albeit 'unsophisticated,' being ruined by a surge?

 

[Kevin Cooper]

First thing, what is meant by a surge and where do they come from? Answer lightning strikes on or near electrical lines. What damage does this lightning surge in voltage cause? Electronic (printed circuit boards) have components that cannot withstand high voltage and burn up. The insulation in motors is limited from excessive voltage and can break down and short the motor. Controls can also arc and either weld or burn open. Circuit breakers can be damaged.
A direct lightning strike on an RV would get very exciting, but a 3000 to 9000 joule surge protector would not help or protect from that.
In parks, high and low voltage, misswiring, missing ground, reverse wiring are things that EMS will show or turn off to protect from, but not surge protection.

 

[craigav]

First thing, what is meant by a surge and where do they come from? Answer lightning strikes on or near electrical lines. What damage does this lightning surge in voltage cause? Electronic (printed circuit boards) have components that cannot withstand high voltage and burn up. The insulation in motors is limited from excessive voltage and can break down and short the motor. Controls can also arc and either weld or burn open. Circuit breakers can be damaged.
A direct lightning strike on an RV would get very exciting, but a 3000 to 9000 joule surge protector would not help or protect from that.
In parks, high and low voltage, misswiring, missing ground, reverse wiring are things that EMS will show or turn off to protect from, but not surge protection.

Regarding where surges come from: While I agree that they come from lightning and certainly the most common source, they can also come (or be caused) from other than lightning events. A couple years back here in Texas it got so cold that the power grid couldn't keep up and rolling blackouts were happening, we got to 1 hour on 2 hours off, during the on time I saw and could even hear in the house surges occurring, lights would get really bright and the furnace motor would make an audible thump, I was very concerned that something would get damaged but I took the risk anyway (because it was so cold). (Also, I have a large generator but I didn't have enough fuel for multiple days of operation). These surges I believe with high confidence were occurring due to the disconnecting and reconnecting large sections of the power grid near my area during that event.

Also a few years back when I was in my office working, we had a big surge (as the lights in the house got real bright for a second or two) and with that surge I lost the control board on my refrigerator, my dryer, and the microwave. I was able to replace the boards on all but my microwave. I found out later that surge was caused by an accident a mile or so away where a truck crashed into a power line pole.

Point being, is that if only lightning was the concern (which it is a concern for sure) and you knew an electrical storm was coming, then it would be best to disconnect the RV from the pedestal ahead of time (even if you have an EMS/Surge protector) as that would provide the best protection, but because you can't always know, especially if a storm comes up overnight, and even then you can't know about surges from other sources, an EMS with surge protection is certainly good insurance in protecting your RV. I will add that I don't have a whole house surge protector, although I suspect I should get one, I do have one for my RV though. ~CA


I thought I would add one more thought, while almost the same, there is a difference between a power surge from lightning vs a voltage spike often from other sources. A surge protector often requires a large voltage surge before it will provide any value and may not be of any value if the issue is with a voltage spike (which is what I was speaking about above that happened at my home, although I don't know how high the voltage went). A voltage spike is not often rated (listed, aka Clamping voltage) on many surge protectors I have seen but refers to how much voltage is allowed before the protector's MOVs dissipates it. That voltage may be double the expected voltage (the lower clamping voltage the better). ~CA

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Craig, Very well written and accurate. I was commenting on surges that cause major damage. Switching by utility does cause a surge. But generally do not cause damage to electronics and other devices. Turning on a hair dryer also cause what is defined as a surge, but in the 5 volt range.
My point is the big push for surge protection needs to be understood. Typically it telling someone they must have it. The first NEC was written in 1897. Then many people started adding lightning rods to their house. Ungrounded electrical systems were being used. Now in 2023, the NEC requires surge protection on dwelling services. Why now? Because manufacturers started making them and got them put in the NEC. Money in the name of safety.