power surge protector - Montana Owners Club

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2007, 05:52 AM

Does anyone use a power surge protector? I saw three diesel pushers using the power surge protectors, I haven't send anyone using one with a 5th wheel. My husband and I are thinking of purchasing one.

ols1932 · 03-26-2007, 06:40 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Debbie Asher

Does anyone use a power surge protector? I saw three diesel pushers using the power surge protectors, I haven't send anyone using one with a 5th wheel. My husband and I are thinking of purchasing one.

Debbie,
Many of us use them, others don't believe in them. My wife and I use a 50-amp Surge Guard when we have access to 50-amp power. We use a 30-amp Surge Guard when connected to 30-amp power. Some people use hard wired surge protectors, but we don't, for personal reasons. Now, many say they don't want to pay the amount required for the Surge Guards. My feeling is that we have a lot of money tied up in our Montana and one Surge Guard is only 0.7% the cost of the Montana. We have witnessed two rigs that have had surges destroy refrigerators, microwaves, satellite receivers, tvs, etc. So for the minimal cost of 0.7% of the total cost of my rig, the Surge Guards, to my way of thinking, are well worth the money. Especially when you live in your rig 24/7/365 like we do.

Hope this gives you some help with your decision.

Orv

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2007, 07:03 AM

So you purchases 2 surge protectors or do you use the 50 amp surge also in the 30 amp when it's the only one available? The reason why I'm asking is when we were in Camping World they said you can use the 50 amp surge proctector also in the 30 amp.

ols1932 · 03-26-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Debbie Asher

So you purchases 2 surge protectors or do you use the 50 amp surge also in the 30 amp when it's the only one available? The reason why I'm asking is when we were in Camping World they said you can use the 50 amp surge proctector also in the 30 amp.

I purchased both protectors. Yes, I know it costs a little, but I had the 30-amp protector that I used when connected to 50-amp power, using proper adapters, but this put too many "connections" in the line. By that I'm saying that the fewer "connections" you have (plug in connections), the better off you are. Just my idiosyncrasy.

Orv

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2007, 07:38 AM

Thank you

campbud · 03-26-2007, 07:39 AM

We have a EMS progressive hard wired surge protector. Install was easy and we are happy so far with it. Purchased it from tweetys.com It was $299.98 on sale.

nailbender · 03-26-2007, 08:07 AM

I installed a 50 amp hard wired surge protector with a remote monitor in our Monty. It has a LED that indicates the amount of voltage on each line and works for 30 and 50 amp service.
I prefer the hard wired type that are not outside, don't have to worry about thief. Although I have a extended warrenty policy on the Monty that would cover any damage to appliances, the cost of the surge protector is cheap vs the hassle to have appliances replaced/repaired and loss of use of the RV.

Tom Gina 06 · 03-26-2007, 09:24 AM

Debbie,

It has been my personal choice to spend the extra as insurance from having my electronics fried. The surge guard also protects from dropping voltage that can happen when a CG has many people using the electric at the same time. It is a personal choice to protect your electronics from problems caused by your electrical source hook up. I choose not to have the aggrevation of having something go out and make me spend days straightening out the problems caused by this situation.

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2007, 09:43 AM

If these surge protectors are hard wire where is the protector placed? Is it just inside the storage area?

nailbender · 03-26-2007, 10:46 AM

We have a 3075 and the electric panel is below the closet. I install the surge protector in the closet and the remote monitor above the slide controls. If you get one that has the built in monitor, it could be install in the basement by laundry hamper, open the hamper door and see the monitor.

campbud · 03-26-2007, 11:19 AM

Ours is in the basement under the step area and the monitor is on the inside of the bottom second step. Worked out to where I did not have to cut a hole in the wall.

Cat320 · 03-26-2007, 11:55 AM

We have the 50 amp portable surge guard. It works on either 50 amp or 30 amp power. CW sells it for $400 msrp, I got ours at https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com for $275.

dsprik · 03-26-2007, 04:43 PM

Bert, this looks like a great price, but I don't see where it says it works on a 30 amp system. The hard wire 50 amp listed here does say specifically that it works with 30 amp power. You are saying that yours does and that they should have included that info in that paragraph?

And do you use that locking clasp. We had a guy a couple sites down with a high end Class A that had a real nice new 50 amp surge protector plugged into his CG pedestal w/o the clasp. Made me wonder how many of those "walk away"?

Tom Gina 06 · 03-27-2007, 02:03 AM

Ours as others said is hard wired and under the steps in the basement. The main comes into our Monty at that location before goes up through the wall the the breaker box. The reason we went with the hard wired in to prevent theft. Out of sight out of the mind of the thief.

richfaa · 03-27-2007, 04:02 AM

We have a 30 left over from our previous camper and purchased a 50 for this camper. It is a must have.Ex; The CG we ar at now is out of the way and not a 4 star C.G. Nice but maybe a 1 1/2 star.The 50 amp surge would not allow power to the camper Error code E-2, open ground. We changed sites to a good one. The first thing we do is pull out the power cord, hook up vis the surge protector and see what it tells us to do...
They are pricy but so are all the goodies in your camper. We have the portable..so we can move it to another camper when needed.

Dave The portable works on 30 or 50..Ours is the EMS-PT-50C
I have seen this same model on line for 323.26 Now but by the time we paid UPS shipping and Ohio tax it was near what we paid for it and we were able to walk away with it.

Got it at a FCRV Rally a couple of rallies ago. It is now 399.00 out the door.

ols1932 · 03-27-2007, 04:53 AM

Sounds like good thinking to me, Rich.

Orv

BirdingRVer · 03-27-2007, 08:47 AM

We went with the 50-amp Surge Guard hardwired under the step next to where the main power comes in before going into the breaker box. This not only solves the theft problem but, I also don't have to remember to plug it in.

Here in California we had problems with scavenger stealing the copper wire out of the freeway call boxes. I worry about how valuable that 50 AMP power cord would be for its copper. I know that RV Parks are relatively safe but, does anyone have any ideas on how to secure the power cord?

This past weekend we where the only people all weekend at the Mariposa County Fairground RV Park. It is the only RV Park for miles and we were in town to visit the in-laws. I must say I was a little uncomfortable leaving my 3 month old Montana all alone.

dsprik · 03-27-2007, 09:05 AM

You can get a "secured clasp" for your surge protector, but not sure about securing the power cord itself...

Okie Guy · 03-27-2007, 02:30 PM

has anyone ever tried either of these? what is the difference?

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...3&cat=0&page=1

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...4&cat=0&page=1

5rvers · 03-27-2007, 02:47 PM

I have the 50 Amp hard wired Surge Guard installed in the front storage compartment. Because I have the generator prep, the SG was connected between the transfer switch and the distribution panel. Check the link for a picture. http://i18.tinypic.com/2d75xkm.jpg

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