Surge Protectors

[denandannie]

Does anyone use their 50 amp w/o a surge protector?

I could not afford to spend $300 plus for a 50 amp protector, so have been using a 30 amp protector with a 30 amp cord and adapter. I do not have a second A/C unit, so seldom need the 50 amp setup.

Still, before the Monty purchase, I'd never used a surge protector in the 30 yrs I've been RVing and have never ever had a problem. I'm just wondering how much of a risk factor is there in not using a surge protector? If there was a spike in the electical load, wouldn't the fuse box take care of it and trip the breaker?

[seahunter]

Good system will also alert to low voltage too, which is very hard on the motors for all your equipment though. This is just as important as too high voltage. Many parks will have fluctuations due to heavy use so i think a good unit like Progressive Industries is a must-have accessory.

[H. John Kohl]

My 50 Amp Progressive Industries(as would other surge guards or EMS) told me when one of the two hot feeds for the 50 Amp service was bad. It was bad at the pedestal. I did not believe it and took it out for that night. Lucky for me I did not fry any of the electronics on that leg in the trailer.

Dennis & Annie, you comment you have been doing this for 30 years. The electronics circuitry has change a lot in those years. My best example is the computers. Speaking of computer, there are circuits boards in the Fridge, water heater, converter, furnace, air conditioner and your entertainment system.

I feel it is a form of insurance. You don't need it until it could be too late.

Good luck.

[NCFischers]

The breakers will trip if a circuit is overloaded. A sudden spike in power for a split second can fry electronics. As John stated, it also protects against brownouts. Not using a surge protector can cost thousands of dollars.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by denandannie

Does anyone use their 50 amp w/o a surge protector?

I could not afford to spend $300 plus for a 50 amp protector, so have been using a 30 amp protector with a 30 amp cord and adapter. I do not have a second A/C unit, so seldom need the 50 amp setup.

Still, before the Monty purchase, I'd never used a surge protector in the 30 yrs I've been RVing and have never ever had a problem. I'm just wondering how much of a risk factor is there in not using a surge protector? If there was a spike in the electical load, wouldn't the fuse box take care of it and trip the breaker?

Neer had a problem in 30 years? I wouldn't take a chance. I've seen the results of the damage caused by bad power at a campground when one phase of the power coming in was bad. Four RVs were damaged. Total cost of the damage was $13,000. I also used a 30-amp surge protector until I could bite the bullet and get a 50-amp protector. Well worth the money, just like any insurance policy. Hope you don't have to use it but you have it there if it must be used.

Orv

[1retired06]

We have a progressive unit, works both 50 and 30 Amp. Went without any surge protector for years with no problems. A friend experienced a spike and fried all the electronics in his unit to include the refrigerator. On numerous occasions, the progressive has identified marginal pedestals for us, and we either moved or plugged into an adjacent site. We have a bedsaver as well, and have never needed. But you have probably seen damaged trucks from dropping fivers. One save from a progressive or a bedsaver makes either worth the expense. Not to mention not only the cost, but the hassle of getting things repaired.

[CORattler]

When I had an older travel trailer I did not use a EMS or surge protector. The 1st mod I made to my new Monty was to install an EMS from progressive. Too much at stake for me to risk the kind of damage that can result from a bad pedestal.
I understand about the money thing, but think of the result of one bad pedestal....

[mhs4771]

We too went for many years without anything, but then again we were in tents, then pop-ups, then a small TT with next to no electronics, now the Monty with electronic controls everywhere. So yep we bit the bullit and bought a 50 amp portable unit, next time around will be a hardwired unit with the remote display.

[camper4]

I do not plug in without my surge guard. 30 or 50 amp. My 50 amp woks both.
If I only had a 30 amp protector, I would only plug into 30 amp services. As others have mentioned, there is too much at stake! I am convinced mine has saved my bacon at least twice and likely more. One campground had a power failure that did a lot of damage to some unprotected people in the park and another was a severe thunderstorm.

[RickW]

The first time you have a problem you will more than pay for the protector. The hardwired Progressive EMS was the very first thing I installed when we bought the Montana. On 3 different occasions it has found a problem with the pedistol and would not allow power to the coach.

I am redoing the wiring in the truck right now. One of the things I have now included in it is also a hardwired 30amp Progressive EMS.

[richfaa]

Yes these things are expensive but you just got to save up for one..Figure how much your Montana cost then figure the cost of damaged appliances should you have a problem. It is a small investment to protect a very large investment.

[DQDick]

Have one on our store and our stick house, never questioned the need to put one on the Monty.

[southern thunder]

I ordered one, a 50 amp, right after I picked up mt unit.

[troutchasers]

Hopefully its OK to ask a related question as we too are getting ready to buy an EMS for the new rig. Is there any advantage to a portable unit over an installed unit? The installed unit is three times the cost of the portable unit. Is it worth the extra cost to hard wire in? We are placing a battery bank in the same area too and wonder about space.

[richfaa]

personal choice. We have the Portable unit and it has been in use for six years without a issue. The instaaalled unit was to expensive for us at the time. Both style units do the same job.

[DQDick]

X2 on the portable unit, again mainly the cost factor.

[troutchasers]

Thanks Rich and Dick.... much appreciated!!

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by UpinAK

Hopefully its OK to ask a related question as we too are getting ready to buy an EMS for the new rig. Is there any advantage to a portable unit over an installed unit? The installed unit is three times the cost of the portable unit. Is it worth the extra cost to hard wire in? We are placing a battery bank in the same area too and wonder about space.

Be sure you're comparing apples to apples. The ones that are so much cheaper that are portable are just surge protectors and don't shut down if the voltage is too low. The portable would be comparably priced to a hard-wired if it has a readout of trouble codes and low voltage protection. Camping World has the Progressive Industries for about $150 off right now and the hard-wired is actually LESS than the portable. Even cheaper is the hard-wired with the readout on the unit and not with the remote readout.

[seahunter]

These are the same units but one is hardwired, the other portable:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...rotection/9612

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...rotection/9614

the hardwired is cheaper.

[DQDick]

Not once you pay Camping World to install it, and I don't do electrical anymore than I have too.