Score one for the Surge Guard

[ols1932]

Yesterday while we were at church, the electric feed to the fairgrounds where we are parked lost one phase. This caused the voltage to drop to 56 volts at our rig and the rigs of the rest of the Escapade Advance Staff. Our friends were all worried about our rig sitting there trying to operate on 56 volts and as soon as we got home they were all telling us about possible damage due to low voltage.

Well, we weren't worried because our Surge Guard drops power from the input to the rig when the voltage drops below 102 volts. If I hadn't been using the Surge Guard, my computer, which is always on, probably would have been destroyed, as well as the refrigerator. As it was, the rig didn't know anything happened because it switched over to the inverter automatically. If we didn't have the inverter, everything would have just turned off and the refrigerator would have gone on propane automatically.

I understand those who use the other kind of surge protector to protect against surges, but I sure like the removal of power when it gets too low, to avoid damage to the rig.

Telling it like it is....

Orv

[azstar]

I'm with ya Orv.

Even if your Autoformer was in line it couldn't boost enought to keep your equipment safe. The A/F would have been maxed out and who knows what might happen to it running at max for a long period.

If I could only have one of them it would be the SurgeGuard with high/low shut down.

Happy Camping

[Mudchief]

Orv, that is good information. We usually just think about spikes and voltage down around say 105 volts and not something like loosing a phase.

[boylanag]

Thanks, Orv. That sounds like our next investment.

[richfaa]

Our 50 amp surge guard would not allow power to the camper twice because of bad grounding at the CG post at two different C.G's last month.

[Cat320]

We have the same story as Orv...sitting outside Pensacola when the big storm blew threw that got Enterprise. Surge guard worked as advertised when the CG power went crazy. Money well spent.

[gkbutler]

Okay Orv,

Got me wondering, where do I get a Surge Guard.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by gkbutler

Okay Orv,

Got me wondering, where do I get a Surge Guard.

Camping World

Orv

[Cat320]

I got mine here...and they are still on sale for $125 less than CW: https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/index.cfm

[RCMP03]

Ok....something else for my wish list! I am wondering though, do you need both a 30amp and a 50amp surge protector for when you are hooked to either? They are quite expensive($369 for 50amp at CW), but they sound like a good investment and peace of mind.

Also, how do you test the electrical post? Members have suggested we purchase a cheap voltage tester from Walmart. Aren't only for home type plugs? Don't laugh....I'm not very good at this technical stuff.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by RCMP03

Ok....something else for my wish list! I am wondering though, do you need both a 30amp and a 50amp surge protector for when you are hooked to either? They are quite expensive($369 for 50amp at CW), but they sound like a good investment and peace of mind.

Also, how do you test the electrical post? Members have suggested we purchase a cheap voltage tester from Walmart. Aren't only for home type plugs? Don't laugh....I'm not very good at this technical stuff.

No one's laughing. A cheap way of checking voltage is to purchase a polarity tester (little yellow plug-in thing that checks polarity and lets you know if the power receptacle is wired properly) a light bulb, a plug-in socket for the bulb, an analog voltmeter that plugs into a receptacle, and a small plug-in strip into which these items can be plugged into. Then you can take the cord from the strip and plug it into any receptacle on the CG post (using appropriate adapters) and tell what the voltage is and whether or not it's safe.

I tried to tell this in terms that even I could understand. Hopefully it makes sense to you.

You don't need both types of surge protectors. I have both but that's only because when I'm connected to 30-amp power I don't have to use an adapter from 30 to 50 amps, then the 50-amp surge guard, then an adapter back down from 50 to 30 amps, then to the 30-amp cord.

Orv

[richfaa]

I have both because we had one left over from our 30 amp TT.. You can use the 50 amp Surge in a 30 amp ckt. The guard we have checks the CG post voltage, phase, frequency and current draw.

[RCMP03]

Rich & Helen

What type/brand of protector do you have? Will it cut off your electricity if there is a problem? I'm glad to hear you can use 50amp for a 30amp supply and yours seems to cover the need for voltage meter. Do you worry about anyone stealing it? I think I saw a locking device at CW.

Thanks,
Sue

[virgil47]

What are the differences in a Surge Guard and a Surge Guard Plus? Worth the difference in price?

[hookman]

Which surge guard is better the hard wired or the inline or are they about the same.

[Tom Gina 06]

This topic is the reason that I recomend that every dealer should be putting these in from the get go. Build it into the original cost and hard mount it internally so as theft is avoided. I will never pick up another unit at a dealer without having this cheap insurance built into the cost. Nothing worse than loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth the appliances/electronics due to bad electricy at the place you pay money to stay.

[gojodo]

Orv, it is great to get confirmation of a good decision. My surge guard is in and ready to go, just as is my inverter for powering my solar panels. All this investment looks like it has a payout, even if its only in just knowing you have some security.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by virgil47

What are the differences in a Surge Guard and a Surge Guard Plus? Worth the difference in price?

I hadn't heard about the Surge Guard Plus. Must be something new. I believe the Surge Guard is more than adequate.

Orv

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by hookman

Which surge guard is better the hard wired or the inline or are they about the me.

If you are one of those who is going to worry about theft, built in is best. Having said that, I have mine locked to my rig on the outside so if someone is going to take it they're going to have to work. Not only do I have it locked, it is always hidden underneath and behind the wheels. Each person has to do what they have to do.

Orv

[richfaa]

We did not have it built in because we may not have this camper for a very long time///