50 amp surge protector?

[CygnusSailor]

I am looking to get a 50 amp surge protector. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with a particular brand name? Are there any advantages to the built-in design as opposed to the portable design other than having to plug in an extra item each time? I know that they should function the same, so I am looking for the less than obvious advantages, if any.

Thanks,

Gary

[Chrisnan23]

Keith should be along he uses a surge suppresor.

[geondebi]

When I first got the PP I went out and got a surge protector that connected to the power post and the cord to the camper. It was great to have the protection as well as it tested the circuitto make sure it was safe to connect. That was good until I hit some parks where in the afternoon as all the AC started to cool down the trailers the voltage would drop below the 107 or so. Running the AC and other electrical equipment below that can damage it. There were post about power regulators and surge protector in one. Two that I know of Autoformers and I have the power Master that will boost voltage in a under voltage condition and reduce it in an over voltage condition. Now they are not cheap but well worth it if you have to replace the AC or some other piece of a equipment because you ran it in an under/over voltage condition.

I think it is well worth the money and peace of mind.

[geondebi]

Follow up to my above post ... you can get these in both external or ones you can mount inside the camper. Mine is wired internal with an adapter kit so it can be removed if I have to. I like it internal because I want to keep it out of sight so it does not walk off.

[Hunter11]

I have a 50 amp Autoformer hardwired in our PP and it has always done the job. Progressive Industries also makes a good unit.

[hhh]

I have the portable Progressive Industries unit. I like the portable one because as I plug it in I get the voltage/fault readings right there as I plug it in. With a built-in unit, after I plug it in I would have to run around to where the display is installed to see what the voltages are and if there are any faults. Second is if it does it's thing and gets toasted by a surge I only have to unplug it to use my rig, with the hard wired unit you would have to rewire to get around it. I have yet to hear of any portable unit being stolen.

[Hunter11]

I have plugs on the in and out cables on my unit so if it does get fried all I do is plug the two main power cables back together and we are back in business. I prefer mine protected from the weather.

[tator447]

HHH is the unit you have like the EMS-PT50C unit that Progressive has? Thanks for all your good posts by the way C

[hhh]

Yes, that is the one. Saved me a few days ago as I plugged it in and it detected reverse polarity and wouldn't energize the circuit. I would never be without one, it can save your life and so far my has helped twice in 4 years or use.


Edited by: hhh

[artgpo]

I have a 30 amp Surge Guard. It too will check the power at the post and not turn on if there is an issue. Ours is portable and works fantastic. Would not hook up to shore power without a surge protector. Protection does not come cheap but it is very worthwhile investment.

[casmith]

I used this chart to help make my choice.....

http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Articles.asp?ID=279

[avvidclif]

Progressive looks real good but not being "UL" Listed hurts it for me.