Surge Protector

[time2play]

I've been searching these forums trying to figure out which surge protector we should buy for our 2013 Classic. Looks like most people seem to be recommending the Progressive Industries surge protector.

But when I look at their website, there are quite a few different models. I've narrowed it down to this one:
http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt-x

Do you agree this is the best one for our trailer? The price is more than I was planning on spending. I remember doing some research when we first bought our trailer and I thought they were about $175. Has the price gone up that much?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by time2play

I've been searching these forums trying to figure out which surge protector we should buy for our 2013 Classic. Looks like most people seem to be recommending the Progressive Industries surge protector.

But when I look at their website, there are quite a few different models. I've narrowed it down to this one:
http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt-x

Do you agree this is the best one for our trailer? The price is more than I was planning on spending. I remember doing some research when we first bought our trailer and I thought they were about $175. Has the price gone up that much?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hi

That's the one I have on my Classic. You want the 50 amp version, not the 30 amp. The "ems" versions do a better job of protection (they disconnect the trailer) than a simple surge setup. That's the main driver on the cost. They are way cheaper than just about anything you would loose in a bum connect situation or a surge.

Bob

[cwf]

I hardwired this one when I upgraded from 30 to 50AMP
EMS-HW50C. It can do both 30 & 50.

I have a "remote" display so monitoring is no problem.

Plug into the pedestal, check monitor for proper power status.. start switching on systems... heavy loads initially.. verify power is stable...

Also when original went up in smoke, upgraded converter.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

When I got mine, I was all set to go hard wired into the trailer. I mentioned what I was going to do and multiple people cautioned me about this being a fire risk. I asked for further details, but nobody seemed to have any hard data. Even though it sounded like voodoo to me, I went with the external unit.

Bob

[Cyclist]

We bought this one (an older model it appears) in the 30 amp version almost four years ago. It has served us well and last summer shut the power off when the park's voltage dropped too low (the AC was running at the time and we were away).

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...y-50-amp/81278

[bganso]

This one (30 amp) on sale now: http://www.adventurerv.net/portable-...als_06_17_2017

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I believe that the 30' Classic the OP has is set up with 50A service. You would want the 50A version for a 50A trailer. It would also do fine when running on 30A or 15A shore power.

Bob

[MWBishop]

I have older 30A (left over from previous TT) and new 50A for the AS.
We too experienced total shutdowns during low voltages at campground.
The newer one is harder to read the display, but would not connect without.

[time2play]

Thanks so much for all your advice!

I like the idea of hard-wire unit, rather than portable. How difficult is it to install? Is there a real advantage to having a permanent install, rather than portable?

And I found a website which sells the portable 50-amp at a reduced price:
http://rvsafety.net/proddetail.php?prod=EMS-LCHW50
This include free shipping.

The Progressive website charges $25 shipping! But I've never purchased from this website and do I still get the lifetime warranty even though it's purchased from a different website?

bganso - the product you referenced doesn't seem to be a Progressive, from what I can tell it's a different model.

[time2play]

The link I posted is for a hard-wire unit. If we decide to get the portable, this is the one we'd purchase:
http://rvsafety.net/proddetail.php?prod=EMS-PT50X

Interesting that the portable is more expensive than the hard-wire. For some reason, I would think it would be the other way around.

[ArkFortyCal]

We've had a lot of success with this one from Progressive: SSP-50XL.

[cwf]

1- to steal the SP they will probably need to steal the AS
2- from inside the AS I can get status on the Permanent SP without going in the rain.
3- you can run 30AMP power thru the 50... but you can't push 50 thru a 30... as far as I know.
4- no need for a "locking cover" to minimize threat of theft...
5- no key to lose, misplace, or have someone with bolt cutters relieve you of your troublesome SP..
6- hard to replace the "plug" end of the portable SP... I don't know how it is done... maybe Progressive will replace under lifetime warranty???

Downsides...
A- if onboard SP fails, you have no power in the AS .. unless you know how to jury-rig it.. no, I won't disclose how to do that...
B- I have no other idea

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by cwf

1- to steal the SP they will probably need to steal the AS
2- from inside the AS I can get status on the Permanent SP without going in the rain.
3- you can run 30AMP power thru the 50... but you can't push 50 thru a 30... as far as I know.
4- no need for a "locking cover" to minimize threat of theft...
5- no key to lose, misplace, or have someone with bolt cutters relieve you of your troublesome SP..
6- hard to replace the "plug" end of the portable SP... I don't know how it is done... maybe Progressive will replace under lifetime warranty???

Downsides...
A- if onboard SP fails, you have no power in the AS .. unless you know how to jury-rig it.. no, I won't disclose how to do that...
B- I have no other idea

Hi

Commonly claimed "other downside": surge comes along from close lightning strike, hardwired protector bursts into a ball of flame ...

Bob

[time2play]

Thanks again for all the information.

I'm leaning towards the hardwire unit. For those of you who installed the hardwire unit, where exactly did you install it?

Thank you again.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

About the only practical place to install a hardwire is where all the wires already come together. That's by / under your electrical panel. Getting at the shore power cable anywhere else is going to be tough in most layouts. If you get lucky with your specific trailer, putting it by the shore power plug makes more sense.

Bob

[cwf]

Since i ran new main cable from Trailer umbilical it was easier.

If you can follow known safety practices... continue reading. If not, stop reading now.

Here are general steps...

If you find where power cable enters distribution box, remove the wires from there, clip to fresh copper, then mount that to the SP. Make another cable to go from SP to distribution box.

Tighten properly.. secure safety cover to the SP.

Plug in AS. Check status SP panel as instructed.

Test SP provides power to the distribution legs in the Distribution box.. with voltmeter...

All good? Unplug AS from power,

Secure Distribution box cover, reconnect AS power cord, check SP status.

Enjoy!

[time2play]

Thank you all for the information and advice. What a great bunch of people on this forum.