'Surge Guard' 35530 30amp Hardwired model.
I've been contemplating getting a surge protection system for Harvey for several months, Umming and Arring the pros and cons of the things, and occasionally researching anything I can find about them on the web.
When we're not travelling, we keep him plugged into a dedicated 30A outlet at our house we installed to periodically run the A/C and keeping the battery charged.
Last week, we were in Harvey parked alongside our home, and wondering if he could speak, what would he ask Santa to bring him?
Without warning we heard a loud ominous low frequency hum/buzz coming from somewhere outside. The sound is unmistakable and it eminated from one of those grey garbage bin sized contraptions at the top of a power pole 100 yds down the street. During thunderstorms I've heard the same sound and witnessed bright green sparks shoot out of the things, and usually the power goes off. On this occasion, no lightning, no rain, no thunder, no loss of power, just that sound.
When we went back inside the house we noticed everything with a digital display was flashing '00:00' or 'RESET', only then we realised the sound probably accompanied a 'brown out'.
Up until then, I'd only considered a surge protection unit may be necessary at campsites, and given we visit maybe 8 or 10 per year, our exposure was minimal, but this was a revelation, our beloved Harvey is just as vulnerable right here at home, plugged into the house, as he is at a damp old pedestal in a rustic campsite.
"Dear Santa".....
A quick phone call to TechnoRV in Alabama, and a lengthy discussion with one of their very knowledgeable technicians lead me to the purchase a 'Surge Guard 35530' Hardwired 30 amp unit.
I originally considered another brand, but found the specification & price of the 'Surge Guard' product, and above all the support and assurances offered by TechnoRV to be unmatched.
The unit arrived a day late to put it under the tree all wrapped for Harvey, but it did give me an excuse to do something other than eat, drink or watch re-runs on TV.
During the summer I'd installed a 'Marinco' shore power disconnect to prevent bugs and mice from creeping into the void where the 30' cable used to get stuffed during transit. This void, probably 2 cubic feet in total, is under the pantry and accessible from a removable panel inside.
It already had a steel junction box where the external cable is connected to the internal wiring.
Installation couldn't be simpler. Apart from it being on the floor in a confined space, and me being not quite as bendy as I used to be, it took about 30 minutes.
After disconnecting the power, cut the thick 30 amp factory installed cable, trim back the sheath on each of the cut ends, bare 1/2" of the three copper conductors, secure the black, white and green on corresponding colored terminals at the 'line' (from the outlet) end, and then the same at the 'load' end leading into the coach and you're done.
After reconnecting the power, and a short delay/reset time (about 2 minutes) you'll hear a 'thunk' as the unit's internal electronic breaker closes and provides your coach with surge protected voltage within a safely regulated range.
This particular unit also features a sacrificial 2450 joule circuitry that offers a substantial degree of protection from all but the most violent impulse, enough we hope to minimize our risk of losing valuable electronic components in Harvey for years to come.
TechnoRV is owned by a couple of full time RV'ers. I have yet to find a company with more courteous and knowledgeable staff, they were a pleasure to deal with.
If you're interested, you can find them and their wares at
TechnoRV - Learn Here. Buy Here. Get Support Here.
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