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01-18-2016, 08:55 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 22
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Surge Protector
A friend with a 2015 Airstream Safari was informed that he should install a Surge Protector in between the outside power/30AMP, inside his airstream to protect his Inverter. We have a 1973 Airstream Safari, and my wife has concerns that we should do the same. Any ideas or opinions will be appreciated.
Thank you,
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01-18-2016, 09:11 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Lots of opinions on this. Personally, we have one - it's a Progressive Industries external 30A unit (connects at the power pole then you plug in your cord as usual to your trailer). You can go much cheaper and get a tester for the power pole and that's helpful to see if it's wired correctly before you plug in. But I liked knowing this unit would be testing constantly and shuts down if there's a problem - for example, we were at a park during a hot July and the campground's power kept dipping too low so the unit shuts down the shore power before any damage can occur to the AC or any sensitive electronics. Some say it's overkill. I look at it like cheap insurance. You don't need it until you need it 😃
Good luck!
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01-18-2016, 09:22 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 27
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UGGGGGGGG. Well I bought one as well. I think It's overkill but my Airstream is my prized possession. I bought a progressive industry 30amp external . I cant say enough good things about the company a had a problem with mine "user error I didn't wait long enough for the device to go through it's warm up/check" I called the 24 hour hotline at 9 pm for help and got a call back within a 30 min. I was hand held by a gentleman on how to plug it in and chill out for 2 min without unplugging it. Progressive industries has a customer for life.
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01-18-2016, 09:35 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
Ayer
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,114
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Best upgrade to my trailer yet.
I had a Surge Guard 50 installed at the dealer. I have since been to two campgrounds that had too low Power. Then in FL last month, we stayed on a friends lot which had power he set up. It was obvious he wasn't an electrician ....
Right off the bat we had reverse polarity, and he wasn't sure if he wired 110 or 220...
Needless to say, I am glad to have it. I am always sure to be protected in all of the places I go.
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01-19-2016, 08:29 AM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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YES....ours.
“Its better to have what you don't need when you need it, than not to have it when you don’t.”
Bob
__________________
Im done with adulting
Lets go find Bigfoot.
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01-19-2016, 08:38 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Berlin
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,787
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We have one and to me it is one of those items that you don't need until you need it. I plug ours in every where we camp to include when I have the AS hooked up to the house electric
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01-29-2016, 07:59 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1987 32' Excella
Nepean
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,414
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When I replaced the old Trace inverter/charger with a new Xantrex FS3012 inverter/charger the Xantrex dealer told me that if it was damaged due to a surge and I had not used a surge-protector the warranty was invalid. I always use an external surge protector.
__________________
VE3JDZ
AIR 12148
1987 Excella 32-foot
1999 Dodge Ram 2500HD Diesel
WBCCI 8080
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01-29-2016, 09:31 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
2016 30' Classic
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 46
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Quickly learning some subtle differences between our new Classic and our old DP MH. The MH did have better electronic protection and inverter/charger. Have Progressive Industries 50A inbound before our trip in a week. Heading west for 6w. Can't wait ... and will have piece of mind when I plug in!
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01-29-2016, 10:28 AM
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#9
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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I don't think they help enough to be worth the money, weight, and hassle. I don't use one. I've written extensively on this before, a search will turn up more a more detailed reply with reasons why, the nature of the power problems that are out there, and an engineering perspective on the whole thing.
__________________
To learn to see below the surface, you must adjust your altitude
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01-29-2016, 10:36 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I hardwired a 30a Surge Guard to protect just my air conditioner. I would only put a surge arrester on a piece of equipment that has a replacement cost higher than the surger arrester.
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01-29-2016, 11:40 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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I have owned Airstreams since the late 70's and like Jammer above have never used a serge protector, and never seen the need for one. Also never have had any damage to any of my electrical equipment.
My opinion of course, but I think they are a solution looking for a problem to solve.
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01-29-2016, 04:17 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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That's what I thought too. Until I burned up the AC at a mom & pop RV park in Forsyth MT.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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01-29-2016, 06:21 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
That's what I thought too. Until I burned up the AC at a mom & pop RV park in Forsyth MT.
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I am not trying to argue, or dispute the fact that your AC unit went out, but unfortunately there is no way to prove (one way or the other) that a surge protector would have prevented it.
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01-29-2016, 06:33 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idroba
I am not trying to argue, or dispute the fact that your AC unit went out, but unfortunately there is no way to prove (one way or the other) that a surge protector would have prevented it.
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Well I guess we could agree on that. Unless I was running two identical units side by side, one with and one without a surge protector, from the same side of the power distribution panel. Even that would not be "proof".
On the other hand, my new AC has worked fine since I put the surge arrestor on. But nowhere did I claim that that is definitive proof that it provides 100% protection. I just inferred that I had evaluated the risks and decided it was a worthwhile investment. For me.
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01-29-2016, 07:21 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1998 30' Excella 1000
Livingston
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
That's what I thought too. Until I burned up the AC at a mom & pop RV park in Forsyth MT.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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In cases like that, it's usually low voltage that is the problem. Basic surge protection devices often do not monitor for that condition. You need the more advanced models, or an inexpensive plug-in volt meter that you keep an eye on when the power is suspect.
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01-29-2016, 10:21 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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True that. A low voltage cut-off will save a lot of trouble more times than a surge protector. I know our original A/C died from low voltage over a long period. Built-in management system including low voltage and surge is the next new improvement, after the new tankless hot water, the ProPride, and a better 3-stage converter that we installed already.
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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05-30-2016, 02:35 PM
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#17
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www.streamingairheads.com
Gettysburg
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 54
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Keeping Surge Protector Plugged In?
We have an external Progressive Industries surge protector but it doesn't want to say plugged in at the pole. Curious, how do folks handle this? It seems to heavy to stay plugged in. Thanks!
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05-30-2016, 03:27 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2024 23' Flying Cloud
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 502
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I carry a small block of wood and an adjustable bungee cord. If the Progressive seems to want to fall out, put the block on the back of the plug and bungee it. This seems to be a problem only on older pedestals where the plug is somewhat worn.
Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!
WBCCI #4387, Air #84080
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
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