Surge Protector

[RobieR]

Looking for advice / recommendations installation instructions on adding a durable surge protector in our 2015 Keystone Sprinter

 

[chuckster57]

Skip the surge protector and get an EMS, It will protect your trailer not just let you know there is/was a problem. I have a hard wired Progressive 30A with remote monitor. It will shut the power off before any damage. Installation is easy, or you could get a pedestal mount and plug it into the outlet and then your shore cord into it.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

I agree 100%. We have a hardwired Power Watchdog 50A with Bluetooth. Like the Progressive, it has a pedestal plug-in version as well (I just didn't like having to haul one of those around and have it potentially "walk away"). Regardless of the style you choose, they are well worth the price and ours has saved us several times from situations that would have cost us repairs many, many times the cost of the unit. Additionally, I also carry a 30A and a 50A plug-in circuit tester just in case the pedestal plug looks really sketchy.

 

[sourdough]

Welcome to the forum! As the others have said skip a "surge" protector and go with an EMS (electrical management system). The surge protector simply shuts down if there is a sudden spike in voltage. In reality damage to RVs usually comes from various other issues rather than a large voltage spike. The EMS on the other hand actively monitors your incoming power and constantly checks for several conditions, many of which can literally destroy your RV or the electrical items in it, and shuts down the power if any of them are detected and isolates your RV from the problem. Worth every cent and mine has saved our bacon on several occasions.

 

[flybouy]

I'll give just one example of how an EMS is worth the money. A few years ago we were at one of our favorite campgrounds in a brand new section they had just opened. It was a "big rig" section with 50 Amp thruought. We chose it because it was close to the pool and the grandchildren were coming. Anyway, nice new everything including full hook ups and cable. Everything worked great, great water pressure, good cable signal, etc.

It was July and we were there for a week. Towards the end of the week it got stinking hot. Daytime highs pushing triple digits and humidity seemed to be in a race with the temps. No relief at night as it would "cool down" to the upper 80's.

So one day we come back from the pool for lunch looking forward to relaxing in the cool trailer. As we get close I hear a large class A in the next site over with it's generator running. As I get closer I don't hear our a/c running. The EMS did it's job and shutdown the power when the voltage dropped well below 105 vac. The class A next to us was responding with its system by automatically starting the generator.

The moral of this story is that if we hadn't had the EMS then we would have likely returned to a burned out a/c compressor and all that results from it. Trip ended, a couple of grand to replace the a/c in the middle of summer, etc. Instead, the couple of hundred dollar investment thwarted all that.

Another lesson from this, just because the cg spent untold money doesn't mean the utility company did. The cg had nice equipment on their side but they are at the mercy of the utility company. After many folks complaining to the office the cg called the utility and later that evening they were out changing over the feeder down the highway and issue was resolved.

 

[wiredgeorge]

Camping World seems to have good prices on EMS units. Do NOT be confused about the ads for these units as many of the EMS are called "surge protectors". Whether you get an EMS or hang one from your power pedestal as we do note the price. You won't find many EMS units under $200 and be sure it can find all the sort of electrical problems you might encounter at a campground and shut off power automatically. We use a 30A Progressive EMS (our camper is 30A powered).

 

[sourdough]

To piggyback on Marshall's example above;
We checked into a campground that had all new services installed in the area we checked into. We had been there before and knew some of the folks. We pulled in and when I went to connect the EMS I saw the ped was black all around the new 50A receptacle. Used a meter first to see if it was OK and it was. The EMS said it was OK as well so went ahead and hooked up and all was well. Asked the people that stayed there long term about the blackened ped - they said a big RV had checked in and hooked up and immediately smoke and sparks flew. The camper fried all of it's electrical (their conclusion after a brief visit with the people), they had some sort of confrontation with the park management (I don't know the outcome of that) and then they left. An EMS would have prevented that. Just an example of stuff that can go wrong. I carry 2 VOMs with me for easy access and check receptacles if I have a concern. The EMS will do it as well but it's just habit.

 

[Jawzs2]

When we bought our 50 Amp RV, I chose a Surge Guard EMS based on this video, (granted it is several years old), only really need to watch from 30 sec to about 3 min in if you don't want to sit thru the entire thing.

Surge Guard vs Progressive Industries

I found this one which is more recent, (Feb.) and it doesn't look like much has changed. Again, only really need to watch from about 8:25 to 10 min

Why not all EMS Surge Protectors Are Equal: A guide to choosing the Best

I'm not saying one is better than the other, just my personal choice.

 

[JRTJH]

Here's a chart from Progressive Industries showing the SIGNIFICANT difference in protection between a surge protector and an EMS. Basically, a surge protector (all on the left side of the chart) will "blink lights to show a problem" while the trailer potentially burns down and/or electrical components are destroyed. An EMS will "instantly" shut down power to prevent damage to the trailer. Take note of the "missing check marks" on the surge protectors. That's the part an EMS will cover that a surge protector doesn't protect...

 

[wiredgeorge]

Perhaps this thread might make a good sticky in the appropriate forum area?

 

[jfk69]

We also use a Watchdog 50 amp and it saved us two campouts ago with a bad neutral at the post. Plugged it in and it immediately went red and would not turn on. Spit out the code for the issue and the campground found us another site. $200 vs replacing ac’s, tv’s, microwave, fireplace and who knows what else. Cheap, cheap, cheap insurance!

 

[RobieR]

All your advice has been well received and very much appreciated. EMS it is.

 

[LHaven]

My EMS (a Progressive 30A indoor) has gone into battle for us twice. First time was at a CG where the voltage read 115, but dipped to 103 the moment your A/C cut in. Since plugging in is the very first thing we do at a campsite, even before unhitching, we were alerted by the A/C repeatedly going on for five seconds then off for two minutes, while we were chocking and jacking. We tried a different dogbone, then a different site, same behavior. Left the CG to look for another, and left a review for future campers.

The second case was a few months ago, when the EMS cut our power while we were bedding down. Come to find out, the CG power was drifting slowly to either side of 134V, the EMS's high voltage cutoff. Every time it drifted back down, the EMS resumed operation, so the appliances were happy; and it wasn't A/C weather, so we just let it do its thing all night. (I was happy I had installed a DC jack for my CPAP.) Come to find out, many campers had reviewed that CG for high voltage.

 

[jsb5717]

EMS fan here too. I installed one a few years ago because of threads like this. Our hardwired Progressive 50a EMS has saved us from high voltage as well. The display let's you see what's coming into the system and the EMS stops damaging, erratic voltage from getting to your coach's electronics. It just takes once and you'll be wishing you'd spent the $300.

 

[RobieR]

Opted to go with the Powerwerx from Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X. Headed out for a test run next week.

 

[workinonit]

Is it Bluetooth?

 

[RobieR]

That's the one feature I wish it had.

 

[workinonit]

I use it all the time. That's why I like the Watchdog. I don't think I could be without the app's information. I pretty much setup my entire rig with my phone now. Not to mention lights, slides, awnings and HVAC control.