What kind of surge protector do you think is best?

Meredith,

You really want MORE than just a surge protector.  The Progressive Industries Power Protection device that Alie and Jim mentioned is really the way to go, even if it is more expensive.  Surge protectors only protect against surges in voltage.  The power protection device protects against both high and low voltage, among other things.  Also, if you get the remote display, you have the option of being able to check what the voltage is that is going to each leg of the electrical system.

The 50 amp Progressive Industries device we have is the EMS-HW50C

With regards to low voltage, that condition can damage any appliance that has a motor in it.

Terry

Meredith,

Something I forgot to mention about Progressive Industries.

They have a lifetime warranty on their products.  I remember the story of another RV'er that had issues with his PI unit that was out of warranty.  Since they were fairly close (50 miles, I think) to the factory, he called them.  As it turns out, the business was closed but the president of the company still answered the phone.  When all was said and done, the president had gone out to fix the unit, but couldn't, so he replaced it for them free of charge.  He told the couple they had gone to a lifetime warranty and made it retroactive to all previous units that they had sold.

That indicates a good company that believes in their product.

Terry

Terry and Jo wrote:

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Meredith,

Something I forgot to mention about Progressive Industries.

They have a lifetime warranty on their products.  I remember the story of another RV'er that had issues with his PI unit that was out of warranty.  Since they were fairly close (50 miles, I think) to the factory, he called them.  As it turns out, the business was closed but the president of the company still answered the phone.  When all was said and done, the president had gone out to fix the unit, but couldn't, so he replaced it for them free of charge.  He told the couple they had gone to a lifetime warranty and made it retroactive to all previous units that they had sold.

That indicates a good company that believes in their product.

Terry

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 Terry I think that is what we are getting in out MS we ordered from Alicia.  I have a Hughes 50A AutoFormer in my current MS wired into the bay where the power cord is.  I was thinking of installing it in the same place on the new MS.  Any thoughts?

Thanks

The Progressive Industries, HW-50C, by specifications and warranty, is the best choice.

There are a lot of threads on this site dealing with this question and this thread, although old, is still accurate and timely.

http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t35365124/surge-protector/?page=1#

From that thread this one my posts and I think it is worth your read.  This is a critical item to protect RV’s and this particular model, the HW-50C, is becoming standard in many “higher end” RV’s.

BTW, a unit sometimes called an EMS, that comes in some rigs, is not a protection device.

“If I might clarify a term or two:  The term being used many times, “Surge Suppressor” covers many different types of units and is sort of a generic term.

If you are wanting a unit to fully protect your rig against not only “surges,” like lighting, but also want low and high voltage protection (which is not a “spike”) “open neutral” protection – really important - open ground protection and other such important things, then you need to make sure you are getting such a unit.  Such a unit will not cost “a $100.”

For example – Progressive Industries sells a “Surge Protector” – an SSP-50 for $129 (less other places.) It’s good for what it does.  But it does not have high and low voltage, etc. protection. It is only good for spikes such as lighting.  (I’m being kind of simplistic here.)  It does a fine job of “spike” protection, but that is all it does and campgrounds have a lot more issues than "spikes" and those issues are more common.

Progressive Industries’ EMS-HW50C, the hardwired unit with remote display that has all the full feature protection I recommend (and protection you need in my opinion,) sells for $409 suggested retail price on their website.  (It can be found for much less on the net.)  Other manufactures can also provide this more complete type of protection, but they don’t cost “a $100” either.

Please be sure you are buying what you think you are buying by reviewing the specifications and don’t think you have found a “deal.”  Just saying . . .

BTW, I have no connection (pardon the pun) to Progressive Industries.  I just know the unit has saved my rig a number of times and has the best specs and features I could find.”

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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Terry and Jo wrote:

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Meredith,

Something I forgot to mention about Progressive Industries.

They have a lifetime warranty on their products.  I remember the story of another RV'er that had issues with his PI unit that was out of warranty.  Since they were fairly close (50 miles, I think) to the factory, he called them.  As it turns out, the business was closed but the president of the company still answered the phone.  When all was said and done, the president had gone out to fix the unit, but couldn't, so he replaced it for them free of charge.  He told the couple they had gone to a lifetime warranty and made it retroactive to all previous units that they had sold.

That indicates a good company that believes in their product.

Terry

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 Terry I think that is what we are getting in out MS we ordered from Alicia.  I have a Hughes 50A AutoFormer in my current MS wired into the bay where the power cord is.  I was thinking of installing it in the same place on the new MS.  Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

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 Cummins,

I can't help you much because I don't know anything about the Hughes AutoFormer.  Thus, I don't know whether or even if it can be used in conjunction with the Progressive Industries power protection devices.  I'm afraid you will need to ask someone that is more knowledgeable about those compatibilities and capabilities.  And, I would also get in touch with Alicia or Slade to see if what you are getting is the Progressive Industries unit.  I do think that I saw it listed on DRV's spec/build sheets.

Sorry I can't help you more.  I'm sure others here at RV Dreams have experience with both the Hughes and Progressive Industries products.  Hopefully, some of them will chime in.

Terry

Perhaps this is a ridiculous question but I'll ask anyway.  Is there a significant difference in performance/functionality between the internally mounted protectors vs the external plug ins?

Thanks. 

I'm pretty sure their the same except with the hard wired unit you can have the remote read-out that installs inside of your RV. I have always used the plug-in unit so that I can check the electric at the sites before I pull in. This has saved me from having to move more than once. The inside read-out is very nice though. You don't have to go outside to see the error codes that are displayed. 

Jim

pkhalin wrote:

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Perhaps this is a ridiculous question but I'll ask anyway.  Is there a significant difference in performance/functionality between the internally mounted protectors vs the external plug ins?

Thanks. 

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There is no difference in performance between the HW-50C (HW stands for “Hard Wired) and the plugin 50C.  However, the readout from the HW-50C inside the coach is very useful in managing power, such as when on a 30 amp plug.  Using the normal 30 to 50 amp adapter you would use with an RV the 50amp HW50C works perfectly on 30 amps or 15 amps for that matter including the readout. 

As to checking power when arriving – actually, the wired unit with the read out allows you to check power before turning on the rigs main breaker. Just look at the readout – it will tell you all you need to know and the 50C won’t turn on power to the rig if power is not “OK.”  It will also tell you on the read out what isn't OK as well.  (You can bypass the protection with the built in switch on the read out.  Not recommend, but you can.)

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm

I prefer the utility of the wired unit but either works the same as to quality of operation.  (Naturally the wired unit can't be stolen and you can't forget to plug in the wired unit.)

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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 Terry I think that is what we are getting in out MS we ordered from Alicia.  I have a Hughes 50A AutoFormer in my current MS wired into the bay where the power cord is.  I was thinking of installing it in the same place on the new MS.  Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

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 If you have the AutoFormer already wired in, I recommend putting the HW-50C after the AutoFomer on the main power line.  As purpose of the AutoFormer is to basically increase voltage when low and one of the purposes of the HW-50C is to monitor voltage as to being within an acceptable range, that order best serves the purpose.  That’s what I would recommend – AutoFomer first – then HW-50C.

(Actually, I would use the AutoFormer as a plug in, not hard wired as it is not required all the time.  There are various reasons for this, but if you want to hard wire the AutoFormer that's certainly your choice and one I considered in the past.  "It depends.")

Thanks, Bill.

That is kind of what I "suspected," but not being an electrician or fully knowledgeable about either of the products, I hated to give Cummins some information that was just a guess.

Terry

Terry:

BTW, if memory serves, at the Tampa show last month I noticed the Progressive Industries HW-50C with the inside read out, in the MSs I toured.  Not sure if that is standard or an option.  But either way, a “good thing” and something highly recommended to protect the rig.

I've now seen the HW-50C, with the read out, in many new rigs so it is becoming more widespread as an OEM as well as aftermarket item.

Bill

Bill and Linda wrote:

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Cummins12V98 wrote:

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 Terry I think that is what we are getting in out MS we ordered from Alicia.  I have a Hughes 50A AutoFormer in my current MS wired into the bay where the power cord is.  I was thinking of installing it in the same place on the new MS.  Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

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 If you have the AutoFormer already wired in, I recommend putting the HW-50C after the AutoFomer on the main power line.  As purpose of the AutoFormer is to basically increase voltage when low and one of the purposes of the HW-50C is to monitor voltage as to being within an acceptable range, that order best serves the purpose.  That’s what I would recommend – AutoFomer first – then HW-50C.

(Actually, I would use the AutoFormer as a plug in, not hard wired as it is not required all the time.  There are various reasons for this, but if you want to hard wire the AutoFormer that's certainly your choice and one I considered in the past.  "It depends.")

MY REPLY BELOW

One other person said the AutoFormer should be first.  In my current MS it fits nicely to the left of the power cord junction box.  Looks like it will fit in our 39TKSB3 on order.  It does a good job of boosting the voltage so that with the surge protector should be a good combo.

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-- Edited by Cummins12V98 on Friday 20th of February 2015 10:17:25 AM

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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Bill and Linda wrote:

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  That’s what I would recommend – AutoFomer first – then HW-50C.

MY REPLY BELOW

One other person said the AutoFormer should be first.  In my current MS it fits nicely to the left of the power cord junction box.  Looks like it will fit in our 39TKSB3 on order.  It does a good job of boosting the voltage so that with the surge protector should be a good combo.

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The why “AutoFormer first” for those reading along for information:

Primary reason: If the HW-50C is wired “first” and it detects low voltage (below 103 volts,) it will shut off the power and then the AutoFormer will not be getting any voltage to boost; sort of defeating one of the purposes of having an AutoFormer.

Bill