Do I need a Power Surge Protector - Montana Owners Club

jaybird · 07-31-2013, 05:20 PM

Just upgraded to a 38' 2014 Mountaineer from my '06 Montana. As many of you read over the weekend, I lost my AC on 2nd trip out in 100 degree heat in E. Wa (Potholes SP). She's headed to Tacoma RV for warranty AC repair this weekend but I'm wondering if I could have solved the issue with a portable surge protector attached. The campground at Potholes is notorious for old electrical and power surges. Any thoughts--- and if needed, what is the best/least expensive unit to purchase???

jaybird · 07-31-2013, 05:27 PM

OK- A little miss type---Power Surge Protector.

H. John Kohl · 07-31-2013, 05:43 PM

I feel it is a cheap insurance policy. It is the first thing I recommend.
YES

Bigsky3625RE · 07-31-2013, 06:06 PM

Oh yea.......we use a Progressive Industries EMS. More than just a surge protector. http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_pt50c.htm

Tripped several times when amps/voltage were low.

Worth the investment as compared to replacing things like the fridge or microwave or surround sound system.

Bigsky3625RE · 07-31-2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by jaybird

Just upgraded to a 38' 2014 Mountaineer from my '06 Montana. As many of you read over the weekend, I lost my AC on 2nd trip out in 100 degree heat in E. Wa (Potholes SP). She's headed to Tacoma RV for warranty AC repair this weekend but I'm wondering if I could have solved the issue with a portable surge protector attached. The campground at Potholes is notorious for old electrical and power surges. Any thoughts--- and if needed, what is the best/least expensive unit to purchase???

Just read this again. Potholes is where we tripped several times. Gald we had it.

Don't go "cheap" go with good. Do it right the first time.

And good luck at Tacoma RV. Never going back there again....but you knew that.

maximo · 07-31-2013, 06:38 PM

The first extra item I bought for my Big Sky was a surge protector.

Frank

8.1al · 07-31-2013, 06:55 PM

Just a surge protector may not have saved your AC. They protect against just that, surges, not high or low voltage and it was probably low voltage that did the damage. We also have Electrical Management System from Progressive Industries. It protects against surges, high/low voltage, improper ground, reverse polarity and more.

kdeiss · 08-01-2013, 12:33 AM

11 years with out one! Never a problem

garyka · 08-01-2013, 01:40 AM

Every camper should have one,cost me a fortune not to have one.

WeBeFulltime · 08-01-2013, 02:29 AM

EMS from Progressive for me too. Have the hard-wired with remote display so I won't forget to use it and display is handy to see.

Captain Joe · 08-01-2013, 02:31 AM

Yes, Yes, and Yes.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...Fcvm7AodCkkAXA

1retired06 · 08-01-2013, 02:46 AM

On several occasions, my Progressive would, upon arrival and hookup, fail to fire up because of bad electrical pedestals. On multiple occasions, it has shut down and then restarted because of power surges. I dont travel without one.

**DQDick** · 08-01-2013, 03:48 AM

Where I'm hooked up now we had a low voltage issue last night and my progressive shut me down. My neighbors in stick houses didn't even know it happened so their electronics suffered.

kylec2 · 08-01-2013, 04:06 AM

Like others, having a good surge protector/voltage monitor is a must for us. We also have the hard-wired unit from progressive with the remote display.

We went 15 years without one, but finally figured our luck was being stretched. A month after installation several rigs where we were staying were hit by low voltage and suffered damage; our unit detected the issue and removed power before damage occured.

K0LCB · 08-01-2013, 04:39 AM

I think it is cheap insurance, a loose neutral a few years ago taught me

GreatWhite · 08-01-2013, 04:54 AM

Be sure to buy the right one if you want the remote display. The one I bought and installed in the basement works great.. but does not allow the addition of the remote

After finding that out, I, for the life of me, can not understand why PI would build two models that are essentially the same except for the ability to add the remote.

mhs4771 · 08-01-2013, 05:08 AM

Bill, I agree. You'd think they would build just one unit and offer it with two prices, one with the remote and one without. Giving the owner the option to add the remote later. We bought the right one with the remote. And we too never had on with previous TTs, but neither had much for electronic in them, but when we got the Monty we got a portable unit, but when we got our SOB I was tires of dragging out the portable, so we got the hardwired unit.

Mrs. CountryGuy · 08-01-2013, 06:08 AM

Yes as many times as I can scream it from the highest mountain top. Progressive rules!

ols1932 · 08-01-2013, 06:30 AM

As others have said, it is cheap protection for everything electrical in the rig. Also, don't go cheap -- you will save in the long run. The type you get is up to you. They all have their good points (portable, hardwired, etc.) I never used the hardwired type simply because I wanted to be able to take it with me in a new rig if I so desired. We've been saved many times by our Surge Protector.

Orv

markmontana · 08-01-2013, 06:37 AM

I'm really liking the idea of power protection for the RV- are there other brands to compare- before pulling the trigger on the Progressive portable unit?

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