Camping World Portable 50 amp Surge Guard

[ratfink11]

Have any of you used one and what is your experience? Can you use it on 30 amp service? See its on sale at CW. Thanks!

[8.1al]

What make and model is it?

[timandsusan]

Yes--I have one and I use it on 15A, 30A, and 50A. Basically I always use it. I am pleased with it for the past 3 years. One thing I do, is to protect it with a plastic wrap if it is going to rain hard. Sometimes the electrical hookups at the parks are to low to the ground and the surge protector will not be standing up as recommended for water protection. So, I find it easier just to wrap a garbage bag around it and tape it securely. That has always worked for me. I also have mine pad locked to the 50 amp cable--just to give the theif a little trouble to steal it. I know alot of RVers look at it and wonder what it is.

[timandsusan]

Added--I got mine at CW. It is a model 34750 Surge Guard by Technology Research Corp.

[ratfink11]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

What make and model is it?

TRC Surge Guard model# 34750 50 amp.

[Art-n-Marge]

This is portable version and can be used with all amperages. Plug it into the RV connector first, then plug in the shore power or generator 50 amp, 30 amp, 20/15 amp, cables and adapters and the device will provide protection in all cases. The only problem with the portable is its portability.

I invested in the 34560 version which can be installed inside the RV right on the other side of the exterior RV connector. This way it does the same thing but isn't exposed to the elements, weather or thieves.

[8.1al]

Surge guard is a good unit. Many of us use the EMS (Energy management system) from Progressive Dynamics. It does a few more things but both are good.
http://www.viprv.com/ems/ems.html

[1Happycamper]

We have a surge guard also, but went with the hard wired version. This way I won't leave it behind for someone else.

Bill

[KDS MONY]

Yes, we have one and use it all the time. We just use a 50 to30 amp dog bone to hook up to 30 amp service. It has disconnected us several times for surges. The most recent was last week when we had 50 mph winds here in So. Texas. Presumably it was due to a surge, possibly wires touching in the wind, just a guess. It will automatically reset in about 3 mins. We went with the portable ine so it is outside our rig. We had a friend who suffered a surge several years ago and it burned up his inverter, some wiring and appliances and he had smoke coming out of his MH!! Saw a pix on the web tha showed one of these surges protecters that nearly melted from a surge. Decided We would rather have that kind of failure outside the rig. We chain and padlock the proterter to the pedestle to discourage theft. CW sells a padlockable device the goes over the ends of the proctecter and power cord. We bought one only to find it did not fit!! Apparently the design of the ends on the protector was changed and now it is too large to go in the device. So if you decide to buy one be sure to keep your receipt!! We also have one of the cheap voltage meters that plug into a 110 recepticle to eyeball line voltage for what its worth. Safe travels, Jay and Kathy

[randye]

yes I also have one and have used it, everywhere we plug in 30 or 50 amp. We had a surge last night, and it came back on in 2.5 mins. I think it has been worth the the money. I wouldn't hook up without one just my opinon. Ours is the outside portable. I also wrap it and put a 2x4 or brick under it, when the power box is to low to the ground. So it won't be under water if we flow in the low area by the power hookups. Randy and Tressia

[HughM]

I have the hard wire. Several times it has cut off power, either surge or low power. It comes back on in 2 minutes 16 seconds. It's that amount of time to protect the a/c from restarting before the compressor bled down. At least that's what the owners manual states.
Hugh

[washley1]

Responding to KDS MONY's comments about the plastic protective device. There are two sizes, one for the 30 amp model and one for the 50 amp. Several CWs I visited this spring had only the 30 amp sized one, but I finally found one for the 50 amp Surge gard in a store in Maryland. Keep looking or order by internet.

[ols1932]

We have the portable 50-amp and the 30-amp Surge Guards. The reason for having both: we started with the 30-amp when we had a small pull trailer that only called for 30-amp service. Now we use which ever one for the power we are connecting to. You can use either one down to 20-amp service, with the proper adapters. We will not hook up to any power source without one of the units connected.

I queried the company about usage of the portable Surge Guards as to installation needing to be vertical. Their answer to me is that if your power source is to close to the ground such that the Surge Guard cannot remain vertical, it is all right to lay it down, face down and cover it with something like a Wal-Mart bag. So that is what we do. I assume it needs to be face down so that moisture cannot seep into the unit.

Both of our units have paid for themselves in preventing power surges from causing damage to the RV. It's good insurance.

Orv

[Delaine and Lindy]

Orv I agree, I ask the same question, we had the shore power so close to the ground the surge protector had to lay flat on the ground. However I cover it to prevent moisture from getting inside the Surge Guard. GBY...

[KDS MONY]

Washley1, thanks I was not aware there are two sizes of the locking device. I see if I can find one! as always, safe travels, Jay and Kathy

[TLightning]

I have a TRC 34750 also. FWIW, the instructions say DO NOT use it full time on a 30 amp line...it is designed for 50 amp use only. Also, I got mine here (much cheaper than CW): https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/index.cfm

On edit: I secure mine to the pole with a chain then put an old tire cover over it so the SG/chain cannot be seen. If questioned, I say the tire cover is to keep the rain out of the connection.

[Army Guy]

I also have the 34750 Surge Guard by TRC. I have a chain around the power pole to lock it in place. I won't go without one. I also have the 30amp version from a previous trailer too. I use it when I'm hooked up to 30amp only because it is easer to handle. You do need to be carefull with the 50amp one and not throw it around when hooking and unhooking. There is a circuit board inside that is screwed down on plastic housing. I kept mine attached to the cord all the time and when moving in/out, I wasn't as gentle as I should of been. Since then, there has been a loose rattle inside. Still works though and a great investment.

[RonT]

I also have the 50 amp portable from Progressive. When I called them and asked about using it for 30 amp input I was told I could also have an input of 20 amp and it would be okay. This past Sat. mine shut down twice. While troubleshooting with my multimeter I discovered that one leg of the 50 amp was putting out low voltage which would change each time I cycled the breaker. Replaced the breaker and no problems since. Not sure what low voltage problems I would have had without the protection and do not want to find out. (I have not investigated what is on that leg in the electrical panel). In case you are wondering why I did all this it is because we are staying on the campus of a Bible School where we do volunteer work and this year I am helping with electrical issues on campus thus I have access to the electrical maint. supplies.

[paddler67]

HAS ANYONE INSTALLED A SURGE GUARD IN A MONTY MD. 3295 YR 07 5VER? THE ONLY PLACE I CAN FIND THE SERVICE WIRE IS A SMALL SECTION COMING OUT OF THE FLOOR UNDER THE STEPS AND GOING UP THE WALL TO THE FUSE PANEL.
THANKS
GENE