Surge Protectors Portal/Hardwired

[bigpapaporsche]

I've used the "Search Function" on the Forum , but didn't find what I was looking for. I assume that most of the FMCA forum members are Class A MH, correct me if I am wrong. I obviously want to Protect my Electrical System and all the Electronic Devices that are now Standard  Equipment on most MH's. Our MH is a Class B+ PleasureWay. My knee-jerk response was to add the type that hang from the Electrical Pedestal at most Campgrounds. However, my research took me in a different direction and lead me to installing a "Hardwired Surge Protector" to get the full benefits they provide. Even though the Hardwired Protectors are substantially higher priced and a bit harder to install, I am glad I did it!

I assume most Class A, MH have these Hardwired as standard equipment. I am I correct?

[hermanmullins]

Papa,

Most newer coaches, YES.

Older coaches, NO.

Herman

[jleamont]

Papa, ours had one I removed the hardwired and went portable. Please elaborate on your research and your thoughts on each type.

 

[manholt]

I'm hard wired & I carry a portable for shore post.  I would rather catch a problem at Campground CB, if I can!

[bigpapaporsche]

Today's MH have more Electronics than ever before and getting them repaired can also be expensive. A "Surge Protector"is designed to guard against both HIGH and LOW Voltages. This can be a confusing item to understand and purchase, so I read a lot of material and watch several Youtubes on the subject to better understand them.  According to the information I found, "Progressive Industries" unit was rated very high. This narrowed the field, but I still had to decide between a Portable vs a Hardwired  device. When I reviewed "Progressives Industries Comparison Chart" it was obvious which device offered the most protection, I selected the Hardwire Device. In addition to offering better/more  protection, you don't have to worry about someone stealing your Surge Protector from the pedestal or forgetting to install it altogether. I also called their Tech Line and asked them what I needed to consider in selecting which one to select, they were very helpful! Finally, because we have a small Class B+ MH we only needed a 30 AMP protector.

[rfsod48]

i had a progressive hardwire unit which did its job and sacrificed itself to protect my coach. I replaced it with a portable progressive unit for simplicity. Rain water in the bin while driving did us in, new unit is better protected.

[manholt]

My Progressive hardwire is under the bed, next to the Transfer Switch.  High & dry!  I have a lock on my pedestal mount & it's got a weather shield.  Lightning does strike the same place twice!

[jleamont]

So for us I thought the hard wired was the greatest thing when we upgraded to the A coach in 14. Then it did its job at a campground and I was without power, had to run to the local home center, purchase wire and wire nuts, stop at a RV dealer and purchase a portable unit, come back and bypass it. Then a year later I had a problem with my cord, I used it to assist in troubleshooting it, that's when it dawned on me the diagnostic capabilities at the tower, the ease of replacing it should a problem wipe it out, it just made all of the sense to keep with the portable unit. Fast forward to May 2018, camping in Maryland, campground had a tower problem and it wiped out my Progressive unit just before we were headed out for a day trip, I picked up the phone, called around, local RV dealer 5 minutes up the street had a replacement, I bought it, reconnected after the campground staff fixed the tower, and we went on with our day and I only lost an hour of my holiday weekend. I had one heck of a time getting Progressive to replace the unit (new owners of the company are not as easy as the old owners) finally got them to honor the warranty after 3 weeks of back and forth, now I have two portable units in the coach as a back up.

UP here in the Northeast campground wiring is old and in need of maintenance that its probably not going to get, destroying a EMS up here is fairly common. We have been RV'ing for 11 years with two motorhomes. I have replaced 4 EMS units and one A/C unit and one 110V fuse box and transfer switch due to power problems.

Needless to say I wont leave home without it and both units reside in the electrical bay in the coach along with the chain to lock it to the tower! I also have this gadget that I will always plug in and test before any of my stuff gets connected;

I love this gadget, thanks Brett for the recommendation! 

https://50amppowerpal.com/

 

[richard5933]

I opted for the pedestal-mounted unit for the same reasons as above. Doesn't take much to have one of these units give their life to protect the coach, and I'd rather have the plug-N-play option rather than having to install something permanently.

[manholt]

Like Joe...Thanks Brett.  We also use the Powerpal before plugging in! 

[jleamont]

Forgot to mention above, I also have one of these plugged in on the inside;

https://www.campingworld.com/digital-line-monitor

 

[wildebill308]

I have the portable Surge Guard and it has saved me several times. It is more the low voltage events that do damage than hi voltage events. I know from experience how fast damage can happen without the Surge Guard. On my first trip with this coach, I didn't have a 50 amp unit and thought we should be ok. Well no we weren't. In a RV park in Amarillo we were washing some clothes and the lights dimmed and went back to bright. The washer won't run again till I spent more than the cost of my Surge Gard to fix it. Now I don't plug in without it. 

Bill