Hi, I was wondering if many people use surge protectors when hooking up to electric at campgrounds. I know that surge protection is a good idea but has anyone experienced a surge that caused damage? Thanks for your assistance!
Bruce
We2RV said
09:09 PM Jun 19, 2011
Bruce we lost a TV because we had no protector when there was a spike at the campground electric supply. The TV went POP and we next saw a spiral of smoke.
We always use one for the complete RV for the past 10 years without any problems.
Paul
Racerguy said
09:21 PM Jun 19, 2011
Surge protectors are cheap insurance against the damage that can be done by faulty electrical hookups.
BVC said
09:34 PM Jun 19, 2011
We2RV wrote:
Bruce we lost a TV because we had no protector when there was a spike at the campground electric supply. The TV went POP and we next saw a spiral of smoke.
We always use one for the complete RV for the past 10 years without any problems.
Paul
Thanks Paul, we recently purchased our first MH and haven't used it yet. The price for the surge protectors wasn't cheap but replacing things on RV's can be very expensive. They offered a plug-in version or a hardwired one that can be installed at the dealership. I'll have to see which one makes the most sense. I just wasn't sure how sensitive the electrical components on a MH can be and how common it is for RV'ers to have surge protection. I'll probably spend the money.
Bruce
Howard said
09:44 PM Jun 19, 2011
Here is a link to a lengthy prior thread on this topic from last year:
It includes answers to most questions and some great information. There are at least two other older threads on the same topic.
Keep in mind that the devices we are talking about are more than just surge protectors, they are surge protectors with voltage protection ... and more.
GENECOP said
03:14 AM Jun 20, 2011
Here is a well written piece....
http://www.phrannie.org/surge.html
Bill and Linda said
08:23 AM Jun 20, 2011
Bruce:
In our opinion, and a lot of others, an EMS, a device that does a lot more than just take care of “surges,” is a requirement for every rig.Please consider looking at the threads concerning this as Howard suggested.It will save the electrical equipment in the rig someday.Has in ours many times over.
Yes, they are a bit expensive – so is the electrical stuff in the rig.
Safe travels
Bill
BVC said
07:11 PM Jun 20, 2011
Thanks everyone I appreciate all the help. I will check out the sites mentioned and the previous thread regarding surge protectors. I will be installing surge protection for the peace of mind.
Bruce
mcw50 said
07:39 PM Jun 20, 2011
We've had the hard-wired Electrical Management System from Progressive Industries in both of our coaches, full-timing for almost 11 years. We have had many cases of poor electrical service in campgrounds and have been thankful for our EMS System. Not only have we been alerted to high and low voltage situations, but also wiring that has been done wrong. Its well worth the investment!
bjoyce said
09:19 PM Jun 20, 2011
BVC wrote:
mcw50,
I'm glad you mentioned the EMS system because we have a system from Progressive Dynamics called Inteli power 9100. Sounds like maybe the same company. I haven't read about it yet but maybe it provides the surge protection. I thought it was something different. This is our first new to us MH and have a lot to learn. I will go through the manual and see what it says.
Bruce
2002 Monaco Monarch
Progressive Dynamics makes converters which provide 12volt while hooked to shore power and battery charging and the 9100 is a converter. Different company and very different product.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 20th of June 2011 09:20:28 PM
BVC said
09:30 PM Jun 20, 2011
mcw50 wrote:
We've had the hard-wired Electrical Management System from Progressive Industries in both of our coaches, full-timing for almost 11 years. We have had many cases of poor electrical service in campgrounds and have been thankful for our EMS System. Not only have we been alerted to high and low voltage situations, but also wiring that has been done wrong. Its well worth the investment!
Thanks mcw50, I'm going to follow up and check out Progressive Industries and the model that Bill mentioned. We are new to rving and in a couple of weeks we'll be using our new to us MH for the first time. It's nice to get all the helpful info. from the RV Dreams community.
Bruce
2002 Monaco Monarch
BVC said
09:40 PM Jun 20, 2011
bjoyce wrote:
BVC wrote:
mcw50,
I'm glad you mentioned the EMS system because we have a system from Progressive Dynamics called Inteli power 9100. Sounds like maybe the same company. I haven't read about it yet but maybe it provides the surge protection. I thought it was something different. This is our first new to us MH and have a lot to learn. I will go through the manual and see what it says.
Bruce
2002 Monaco Monarch
Thanks bjoyce. I posted and then deleted it after I looked up Porgressive Dynamics online and saw that it was a converter and a different company but you beat me to it.
Bruce
Progressive Dynamics makes converters which provide 12volt while hooked to shore power and battery charging and the 9100 is a converter. Different company and very different product.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 20th of June 2011 09:20:28 PM
Delaine and Lindy said
02:03 PM Jun 23, 2011
We have had no damage to our electrical but we have always used a Surge Protector. Was at the Drv factory in April, and there was some folks there who had fried several electrical items. Cheap insurance......
TxYellowRose said
06:32 AM Jul 19, 2011
Bruce,
It only takes once to fry your rig!
We have the Progressive Industries surge protector box and have used it faithfully.
Where we are now, we have high voltage coming onto the property, occasionally high enough for the box to shut down our rig.
Hi, I was wondering if many people use surge protectors when hooking up to electric at campgrounds. I know that surge protection is a good idea but has anyone experienced a surge that caused damage? Thanks for your assistance!
Bruce
The TV went POP and we next saw a spiral of smoke.
We always use one for the complete RV for the past 10 years without any problems.
Paul
Surge protectors are cheap insurance against the damage that can be done by faulty electrical hookups.
Thanks Paul, we recently purchased our first MH and haven't used it yet. The price for the surge protectors wasn't cheap but replacing things on RV's can be very expensive. They offered a plug-in version or a hardwired one that can be installed at the dealership. I'll have to see which one makes the most sense. I just wasn't sure how sensitive the electrical components on a MH can be and how common it is for RV'ers to have surge protection. I'll probably spend the money.
Bruce
Here is a link to a lengthy prior thread on this topic from last year:
Surge Protectors
It includes answers to most questions and some great information. There are at least two other older threads on the same topic.
Keep in mind that the devices we are talking about are more than just surge protectors, they are surge protectors with voltage protection ... and more.
http://www.phrannie.org/surge.html
Bruce:
In our opinion, and a lot of others, an EMS, a device that does a lot more than just take care of “surges,” is a requirement for every rig. Please consider looking at the threads concerning this as Howard suggested. It will save the electrical equipment in the rig someday. Has in ours many times over.
Consider the HW-50C with remote readout that we use - http://www.progressiveindustries.net/catalog.htm
Yes, they are a bit expensive – so is the electrical stuff in the rig.
Safe travels
Bill
Thanks everyone I appreciate all the help. I will check out the sites mentioned and the previous thread regarding surge protectors. I will be installing surge protection for the peace of mind.
Bruce
We've had the hard-wired Electrical Management System from Progressive Industries in both of our coaches, full-timing for almost 11 years. We have had many cases of poor electrical service in campgrounds and have been thankful for our EMS System. Not only have we been alerted to high and low voltage situations, but also wiring that has been done wrong. Its well worth the investment!
Progressive Dynamics makes converters which provide 12volt while hooked to shore power and battery charging and the 9100 is a converter. Different company and very different product.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 20th of June 2011 09:20:28 PM
Thanks mcw50, I'm going to follow up and check out Progressive Industries and the model that Bill mentioned. We are new to rving and in a couple of weeks we'll be using our new to us MH for the first time. It's nice to get all the helpful info. from the RV Dreams community.
Bruce
2002 Monaco Monarch
Bruce,
It only takes once to fry your rig!
We have the Progressive Industries surge protector box and have used it faithfully.
Where we are now, we have high voltage coming onto the property, occasionally high enough for the box to shut down our rig.
As others have said, cheap insurance.