Whole-house surge suppressor?

[Foureagles]

Hi y'all:

I live full-time in my '71 Overlander International 27-footer way out in the sticks, currently on shore power via a 100-foot fat dropcord. I've experienced some electrical issues lately, possibly related to surge.

I lost a 2-week-old Parallax 4455-TC converter. I didn't think that this was due to surge, since I keep a PC running 24/7 on the same circuit and never had glitches. But then the motherboard in the PC went T.U., and so I'm beginning to think that perhaps my shore power is not as steady as I'd presumed. No bulbs or fuses blowing, just these two problems so far.

Question: Would it be reasonable to install a surge suppressor in-line with shore power? If so, what kind, and where? I wouldn't mind doing a bit of wiring to install it up or downstream of the 110 panel, but had just as soon simply sandwich one between the hookup connections if that'll work as well.

Any advice, criticism or loveletters appreciated. Thanks.

Ted Foureagles

[markjoandall]

I have the progressive industries ems installed in my unit. It is the best thing that I have come up with to moniter the health of the power coming into the trailer. You can find information on it here:

Progressive Industries is committed to making the RV experience easier

Good luck

Mark

[Gunnyusmc]

I use a product simular too Mark and a Hugh's AutoFormer.
You really should up-grade your power sourse along with the protecter. You don't need the Autoformer until you up-grade as it is too protect the AC.

Gunny

[Wabbiteer]

First thing should be establishing that the circuit you tied into is wired with a heavy enough gauge wire; all its connections are solid; and it is not also powering massive loads along the branch circuit to leave you with just the dregs when 'indoor' appliances come on line.

If there is no other changes made upstream of your outlet it is very likely the problem will recur just when you think you can trust it.

[Kevbo10]

i use a product called "Buzz Kill".

Rally Ender

[aluminauts]

We have used model PT30c on our 34' for about 3 years and are very pleased with its performance and that of the supplier.

Now that we fulltime, it seems to be almost a necessity.

See it at:
EMS: Protects your RV from improper electrical power. RV Surge Protection.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Foureagles

Hi y'all:

I live full-time in my '71 Overlander International 27-footer way out in the sticks, currently on shore power via a 100-foot fat dropcord. I've experienced some electrical issues lately, possibly related to surge.

I lost a 2-week-old Parallax 4455-TC converter. I didn't think that this was due to surge, since I keep a PC running 24/7 on the same circuit and never had glitches. But then the motherboard in the PC went T.U., and so I'm beginning to think that perhaps my shore power is not as steady as I'd presumed. No bulbs or fuses blowing, just these two problems so far.

Question: Would it be reasonable to install a surge suppressor in-line with shore power? If so, what kind, and where? I wouldn't mind doing a bit of wiring to install it up or downstream of the 110 panel, but had just as soon simply sandwich one between the hookup connections if that'll work as well.

Any advice, criticism or loveletters appreciated. Thanks.

Ted Foureagles

Ted,

There is an RV-specific surge supressor with line-quality diagnostics available in lots of flavors: 30 or 50 amp, and plug-in at the power post or hard wired. I have used one for 7 years and if your line polarity is incorrect, it will not pass thru the AC to ruin your electrics. It is a great surge supressor also and has a built-in time delay to analyze the line quality.

I'm on the road 'till Sunday. Let me know if you would like the product specifics, brand, #,s and MSRP. I'll post it on this thread when I have access to my catalogs.

[Foureagles]

Thanks folks!

I think I may go for the $80 SSP 30 Smart Surge, since my needs are minimal (no A/C, and will likely be off-grid anyway by next year -- only needing to handle emergency generator surges).

[lewster]

Originally Posted by lewster

Ted,


I'm on the road 'till Sunday. Let me know if you would like the product specifics, brand, #,s and MSRP. I'll post it on this thread when I have access to my catalogs.

There is an RV-specific surge supressor with line-quality diagnostics available in lots of flavors: 30 or 50 amp, and plug-in at the power post or hard wired. I have used one for 7 years and if your line polarity is incorrect, it will not pass thru the AC to ruin your electrics. It is a great surge supressor also and has a built-in time delay to analyze the line quality.

The company is 'TRC' and the brand is 'Surge Guard. The permant hard wire models and the portable plug-in types both have the same capacties: 50 amp protects to 1750 joules with MSRP of $380 for hard wire and $475 for plug-in, and 30 amp protects to 1050 joules with MSRP of $274 for hard-wire and $333 for plug-in.

[chaimemet]

At the Sarasota Rally I had Dave at VIP Interprises install a surge protector and monitor from Progressive Industries into the AS 50amp model HW50C. It has a read out for the 2 lines amps, etc. website is recreational vehicle parts, recreational vehicle accessories,Rv,VIP SENSITOR,VIP TOW BRAKE