Surge protectors

[Allen in MT]

Are you running a surge protector? Do you have it hard wired into the Monty or just plug into the pedestal at campground, if at the pedestal how do you anchor it from thieves. Got to looking into the protectors after the surge here the other day.
Any particular styles or models that you would recommend.
The 30 amp section here had a power surge that burned up a number of appliances as well as converters, park is going to take care of those that suffered the burn out. Those of us on 50 amp were ok.

[akf15e]

Many here use what I also use - Progressive Industries products. It is more than just a surge protector. It checks for multiple different types of faults. I use the PTC-50, which plugs into the pedestal. It is the first thing I do when I pull in. I plug it in and make sure there are no error codes at the pedestal. That way I don't waste time leveling and unhooking, only to find the site has an open ground or low voltage. In the 5 years I have had mine it has saved me about 4 times from wasting that time. It has alerted me to low voltage a few times and has shown me open grounds at least another 3 times. It has also disconnected me a half dozen times or more for reasons unknown; probably surges or spikes, I imagine. It is funny how the parks always want to tell me something is wrong with my monitor, until their maintenance guy tests the pedestal and finds out I am right.

My only concern is that the system could shut down my rig in the summer and kill the A/C when the dogs are in their and we are at the beach. Just in case, I always keep the Fantastic Fan on to vent some hot air if that happens. We are never gone for more than a few hours anyway.

They are a bit pricey (mine was $399), but it has a lifetime warranty and is much cheaper than rewiring your rig or replacing an A/C that failed due to low voltage brownout. In fact (full disclosure), my PTC-50 failed last month and I just dropped it off at Progressive (they are here in NC) and they are going to send me a new one - no charge.

[hunts800]

I have the 50 amp SurgeGuard. Plug it into the pedestal. If I am concerned, I secure it with a chain and padlock to the pedestal, but after two years no issues. Had a bad ground fault at a park in Oregon during maiden voyage, lost. Microwave, direct TV box, fireplace. Have not had a problem since, and don't worry about it anymore. By the way, it works with a 30 to 50 amp adaptor if you are in a park with only 30 amp service.

[Carl n Susan]

This question comes up frequently. Usually after a power hiccup which destroyed someone's equipment. Take a look at the following link for 6 pages of discussion about the two prominent products.

http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=54834

Oh yea, I have the portable Progressive 50 Amp model which also handles 30 Amp (with the appropriate adapters).

[sambam]

I use the HW50C from Progressive Industries. It is hardwired into the unit between the service and converter. I like it because it can't grow legs and disappear which could happen on the portable pedestal mount. As mentioned before, it's not cheap but does much more than protect you from a surge. It has a display which I put next to my panel of switches and can monitor easily.

[Recumbent]

We have the 50 Amp Surge Guard and when lightening hit our shed where we store the Monty plugged in we believe it save our coach.

[Joe in Texas]

"They are a bit pricey (mine was $399), but it has a lifetime warranty and is much cheaper than rewiring your rig or replacing an A/C that failed due to low voltage brownout. In fact (full disclosure), my PTC-50 failed last month and I just dropped it off at Progressive (they are here in NC) and they are going to send me a new one - no charge."

I have the same unit - April 2013 it was giving me error codes and would not clear the codes to reset. I call customer service only to be told there is only an one year warranty on the unit. My unit was new January 2011 when I purchased my Montana. Must depend on who answers the phone.
Anyone else have experience with Progressive?

[akf15e]

Joe - when I called they said the fix or replacement would be free and they would even give me a loaner if it couldn't be repaired right away. The website says lifetime warranty too. You might want to call again.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_pt50c.htm

[PackerFan]

I have the Progressive 50 Amp EMS. I picked this model due to the Life Time Warranty, worth the extra cost and the recommendations of others here at the MOC. Have never locked it up because all locks do is keep honest people honest. If someone wants it bad enough they will find a way to take it and I would rather they don't do extra damage. Besides that's what I have insurance for.

[Joe in Texas]

Thanks Butch,
I just checked the web page and will be on the phone first thing in the morning. the unit is doing me not good now. Lucky we don't need A/C right now in North Texas.
Thanks again.

[DQDick]

Progressive EMS for us also. We lock ours. Ours has shown us open grounds at one park and saved us from power surges twice and low voltage once. We use the portable model so I can check the pedestal before we even back in.

[Larry-P]

Allen,
I have the Progressive 50 EMS also. Works great as everyone says.
I purchased a Master lock & 3 feet of heavy link chain.
The Progressive has a metal tab on it.
I simply plug in the EMS, wrap the chain around the pedestal, slip the Master lock through the metal tab, snug up the chain around the pedestal & lock the lock.
Chain is heavy enough that someone will look elsewhere for something easier to steal.

[hookman]

I put a hard wire one in our Montana. We would not be without it. This summer it showed the pedestal had reverse polarity. We had an older portable B series one that we sold, the buyer had a surge that damaged it he sent it back and they replaced it with a new one at no charge. A good company to deal with.

[Rainer]

I've got a hard wired Progressive. Saved me with an open ground code this summer, at an RV site in Vicksburg, MS.

I did discover a drawback, though: I stayed at a park that only had 30 amp available, so I used an adapter on my 50 amp cord, figuring I wouldn't use both air conditioners simultaneously. But the Progressive unit wouldn't let the 30 amp circuit through. So I had to rely on my generator for cooling, and then during the quiet hours, I used the power from my 4 - 6v golf cart batteries, recharged by my solar panel.

[HOOK]

Progressive, at end of cable.

[bncinwv]

We have a hard-wired unit as well and am curious about Rainer's unit not letting the 30 amp feed through. Was there a problem with the feed? Our unit has the remote display which will give a code if power is not acceptable. We have used ours on 50 amp, 30 amp, and even a 15 amp feed at the house through a conventional outlet with no problems. In my opinion, these devices are a must-have!
Bingo

[Allen in MT]

Thanks to all for the info. Will look at the progressive and find out first if it will work as bncinwv says on the 50, 30 & 15 amp service. Sometime one never thinks of these things till they see it happen to others first..

[bncinwv]

Here is a statement from the Owner's manual for the hard wired 50 amp EMS:

"Do not exceed the rating on the EMS for any reason, however,
these devices are designed to be reduced down to 120V/15A, and
still maintain full protection."

Bingo

[Bigsky3625RE]

We use the PI as well. I use a gun cable lock ( someone here posted a picture) wrapped around the power cord and run a cable through that to the power pedestal.

Ours has kept us safe several times. Just this past October on a pheasant hunting trip it let us know the pedestal had an open ground. Moved to a new site and all was well.

We also plug it in before we pull in to avoid the hassle.

Highly recommend this unit.

[ols1932]

We have the portable 50-amp Surge Guard. Didn't want to hard wire something in. After 13 years of full timing, we're still going strong. It's a personal choice but as you can see everyone recommends surge protection of some kind.

Orv