Affordable 50 amp surge protector?

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Hey all....we pick up our 338RLK Cougar tomorrow. Was interested in what is the best bang for the buck Surge protector.

I could get one at the dealer tomorrow, or I would camp tomorrow night without while I place an order on Amazon.

I am sure the Dealer is going to be off the charts expensive.

Thanks in advance!

**JRTJH** · 07-12-2019, 09:08 AM

You ask about a "surge protector" but what you really need (and probably mean) is a Electrical Management System (EMS).

Don't be "fooled" by the advertisements for an RV Surge Protector.... They are nothing more than a "lightening protection device" (to hopefully stop damage in the event of a high voltage surge) You'll seldom find a "high voltage condition" in a campground and if lightening hits, chances are it'll jump the contacts in the surge protector and burn things up anyway.....

An EMS will protect your rig from low voltage conditions, crossed or missing ground connections, out of phase conditions, high amperage conditions and has a timer to protect your air conditioner against "intermittent voltage loss" which is one of the main reasons for air conditioner compressor failures.

A quality EMS is not cheap. There are two "main brands" that seem to be the "go to" for most people. Progressive and Surge Guard. Both have about the same lifetime warranty for their products, but the "lifetime" doesn't include "high voltage spikes" which can permanently destroy the unit.

Both companies have "built in" (hardwire) models as well as temporary (plug in) models.

There is also a "Hughes Auto-Former" on the market that performs the above functions and also acts as a voltage regulator to "increase voltage in low voltage conditions" (within reason) and prevent/regulate high voltage conditions.

The "new-comer" on the market is CAMCO. There isn't a lot of experience with CAMCO EMS products, but typically many of their "other stuff" is not quite up to the quality level of the competition. Some swear by CAMCO, some swear AT CAMCO....

**chuckster57** · 07-12-2019, 09:19 AM

Price isn't a consideration when buying protection for your major investment.

Your dealer may have some "AFFORDABLE" ones like we do, but I wouldn't use it for anything other than a paper weight.
I have a progressive Industries 30A hard wired in my unit. Search for hardwired vs portable. I did camp for many many years without one and never had issues but now with the grid being what it is and aged, I wouldn't go without it.

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 09:40 AM

Thank you for your replies....I am looking on Amazon now

**chuckster57** · 07-12-2019, 09:48 AM

Just looked on Amazon and the Q and A at the bottom says DOESNT protect against low voltage. Low voltage can harm the AC compressor, so If your not using it this trip that would be ok. For the price I would keep looking for a unit that give you both over and under voltage protection

Try this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Surge-Guard-3...s%2C226&sr=8-9

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 09:55 AM

Looking back....Our 2015 TT that we are trading in went through two different slide motors. I have recently learned the electrical on our old permanent site was sketchy. Our power box basically caught on fire once...and since we leave our slide out all the time it seems everything was working once they repaired the box...however I did not attempt to pull the slide in until the end of season for winterizing....and the slide motor was bad. Not having that protection probably caused the issue. I got burned once....won't happen again.

I called my dealer...they have a progressive EMS/Surge protector for $374.39...and I will get another 10 percent off of that so I will go with the progressive. Thanks for the help and great advice!

tech740 · 07-12-2019, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Just looked on Amazon and the Q and A at the bottom says DOESNT protect against low voltage. Low voltage can harm the AC compressor, so If your not using it this trip that would be ok. For the price I would keep looking for a unit that give you both over and under voltage protection

Try this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Surge-Guard-3...s%2C226&sr=8-9

That’s the one we have and I love it. I have had one time when it was very hot and everyone was using AC the voltage dropped. It shut off my power which was inconvenient but made me feel comfortable my appliances were not being damaged. When the voltage returned to normal everything came back on. I really like the fact that it tests the circuitry of the pedestal before giving you power also.

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 10:13 AM

I had my dealer order this one....PLEASE tell me its the right one?

https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-I...gateway&sr=8-3

**chuckster57** · 07-12-2019, 10:50 AM

looks like it is:

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt50x

jeff57 · 07-12-2019, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeyCougar

I had my dealer order this one....PLEASE tell me its the right one?

https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-I...gateway&sr=8-3

That should take care of you and you won't regret the investment. Just last weekend our EMS shut down the power to the camper a couple of times due to low voltage from the grid, as it's supposed to. In a previous camper (and before I had an EMS or knew there was such a thing) we had an A/C unit fry due to low voltage from the grid. The $250+ investment in the EMS is way cheaper (and much less hassle) than replacing an A/C unit for $1200+.

Hope this helps.

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 11:03 AM

I am stressing a bit...we are planning on camping tomorrow night. The dealer will not be able to get it til next Wednesday now...and the same for Amazon. I am afraid to risk one night without one...

**chuckster57** · 07-12-2019, 11:14 AM

Where are you going? Newer park, not crowded? You might be good.

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 11:36 AM

The park itself is older....(same park we had issues with) however the part we will be on for this Saturday is a weekend site (not permanent) and has fairly new 50 amp service. The only part of the campground that has problems is the old 30 amp section we were on before. For one night I may just forgo it since I can have one through Amazon by the following weekend.

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 11:44 AM

Park holds a total of 400 plus sites....the weekends as of late have been slow there.

**chuckster57** · 07-12-2019, 11:51 AM

I would probably chance it.

Ksupaul · 07-12-2019, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeyCougar

I had my dealer order this one....PLEASE tell me its the right one?

https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-I...gateway&sr=8-3

That’s the one I got about two months go. Used about three times. Easy to use for sure. Peace of mind was better feeling that I thought. I have experience with a $900 repair on another RV from a lightening (we think) strike.

Old Mustanger · 07-12-2019, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeyCougar

I am stressing a bit...we are planning on camping tomorrow night. The dealer will not be able to get it til next Wednesday now...and the same for Amazon. I am afraid to risk one night without one...

Is there a Camping World anywhere near you? I believe they carry the Surge Guard models.

KeyCougar · 07-12-2019, 08:05 PM

no, the closest one is several hours a way

bobbecky · 07-12-2019, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff57

That should take care of you and you won't regret the investment. Just last weekend our EMS shut down the power to the camper a couple of times due to low voltage from the grid, as it's supposed to. In a previous camper (and before I had an EMS or knew there was such a thing) we had an A/C unit fry due to low voltage from the grid. The $250+ investment in the EMS is way cheaper (and much less hassle) than replacing an A/C unit for $1200+.

Hope this helps.

There is a lot of blame made at the 'Grid' that causes problems, when really it is usually serious problems within the RV parks, with under sized wiring, old and neglected panels with loose outlets and connections. Most, if not all utilities are required to supply voltage within a narrow range of voltage and frequency, but once it delivered to the main panel of the park, all bets are off getting power to the pedestals within the park with good voltage. Just saying to make people aware of who to blame for the need for these EMS devices.

LHaven · 07-12-2019, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Just looked on Amazon and the Q and A at the bottom says DOESNT protect against low voltage.

I'm a little confused, since I can't find any particular unit called out in this thread before you posted this. What specific unit are you referring to that doesn't handle low voltage?

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