Surge Protector?

[johnnyringo]

We just took delivery of a 2014 Bullet 22 RBPR and am going down the list of all the stuff we need to purchase. ($$$) It's our first TT as we previously owned a DP.

How many of you folks use/have one? Are they really necessary now? Is there a preferred brand/model? Thanks, JR

[bsmith0404]

I have the hard wired Surge Guard in ours. As for your question of are they really necessary, it was the number one item on my list of must haves. Too many items that can get messed up in an RV with a electrical surge and reliability of power at many RV parks is questionable.

There have been many similar discussions on this forum, try using the search function, you'll probably be able to read for most of the day.

[GMcKenzie]

Spend the extra $$ and buy a permanent one. Had a plug in one and found it annoying. Pedestals not tall enough so it sat on the ground, always wondered if it would go for a walk.

Bought a Progressive one and can't be happier with it. Have the display above the fridge so I can see the voltage and amperage and if anything happened to the power. Still costs less than blowing a circuit board on the fridge.

[concours]

we have a progressive industries Portable that we secure with a simple padlock and chain. in the 4 years of using it the surge protector has saved our trailer from an incorrectly wired post and last spring we were camped in northern California during a lightning storm and it saved us again. The surge protector took all the damage and was repaired at N/C by Progressive Industries. What more can I say to convince you that you need one

[Tbos]

I have a progressive portable one and it saved us from an incorrectly wired post 2 weeks ago.

[B-O-B'03]

Howdy JR,

I have the Progressive Industries hard wired unit, with the remote display and installed it behind the converter/breaker panel





While I as in there, I added another AC outlet, with USB charging ports



Since we have the same trailer, you could install one there as well.

Keep us posted.

-Brian

[T11ravis]

+3 on the Progressive Industries portable unit.

[sourdough]

I have the 50amp Surge Guard LED unit and it has saved us several times. It is portable and it could walk off but haven't had the time or inclination to install a hard wired version (hope that didn't jinx me). If you are going to travel any at all you need to invest in one. And while you are buying electrical "stuff", be sure and invest in a good VOM and learn how to use it; they can be invaluable for lots of things.

[denverpilot]

Originally Posted by sourdough

?... invest in a good VOM and learn how to use it; they can be invaluable for lots of things.

Best video ever on what to look for in a digital multimeter...

https://youtu.be/gh1n_ELmpFI

He also sells one he designed for the hobbyist market for about $135 AUD, or roughly $100 USD depending on the exchange rate, that has nice specs, but there's other good options.

He's a hoot to watch his other stuff, too, if you're into electronics stuff.

[CWSWine]

We use the portable Progressive and when it took a hit on the second day of 2 week trip it won't come back on line. I called Progressive and they said it did it job and send it in for repair. Since it was just the second day I purchased a less expensive protector at Camping World and still had protection during our trip. Progressive repaired it and had back to me withing 10 days of sending it to them. I was really glad it wasn't built in since that would presented a new set of problems.

[Desert185]

Ditto on the portable version.

[Alpine]

Yes it is a necessity for your RV! We went with the "portable" Surge Guard 50amp. As far as it walking away... probably 80 percent of the places we stay have lock holes on their electrical post to fit a lock. The other 20 percent I wrap a short chain just under the top of the Surge Guard plug in, then around the post!