portable surgeprotectors??

[unifreck]

Does it make any difference if the portable surgeprotector is attached between the pedestal and extension cord or the extension cord and the trailer/van connection???

Thank you for your interest in helping this fairly new retiree.

[Britbat]

I'm also interest in the replays to this as I'm thinking of shortening my shore line and hiding the surge protector in the trunk of our '75 Overlander due to posts I've see about theft of them.

[SteveH]

It makes no difference, but they make the same protectors designed to be mounted inside your unit, and hard wired into place. That's what I did, and so I know it's always in place, and always protecting my appliances.

[wahoonc]

Doesn't make any difference. Only advantage to portable one is that it is easy to replace if it gets toasted. The hard wired ones, not so much. FWIW I have never had one stolen in 15 years of using them, and have never heard of one being stolen in any campground I have ever stayed in.

Aaron

[SteveH]

Just more of my opinion here, but I installed the permanent unit because I didn't want to have to haul out yet another device every time I hooked up to utilities, especially something that needed to be protected from rain, and possible theft.

With the water hose, water filter, power cord, and most times either the satellite dish or the cable hookup, felt like that was already too much.

[lewster]

One of the benefits of a plug-in style unit is the ability to still be operational IF it does it's job and blows itself up!

If you hardwire the unit in to the trailer and it senses a surge and self immolates, you have to wire a bypass to be able to still use the trailer. With the portable unit, simply unplug, move to another site and plug back in until you can get a replacement.

I have never heard of a theft in 15 years or RVing, but they do make a large plastic hasp as a means of deterrent. If someone wants anything bad enough, they will find a way. At least this will usually make the casual thieves think twice and look elsewhere.......

[moosetags]

We use the portable plug-in type. I considered the wire-in type, but was concerned that we would be out of business if it had to do its job. As Lew said, if our plug-in blows out, we can move to another site and we're back in business.

Brian

[ROBERT CROSS]

Portable here also... I didn't scrimp, IMHO low voltage protection is the problem thats more likely, auto shut down will save all that 'needed' stuff we take along.

Bob

[SteveH]

Actually, the "wired in unit" is quite a bit more sophisticated than a protector that simply "blows itself up".

Basically, it's a voltage, current, and frequency monitor that closes a relay when it sees that everything is correct. Any time it senses voltage too high, to low, frequency off, current too high, or a ground fault, it disconnects the relay and turns off the power to the RV. When conditions return to normal, it will reenergize the relay and power returns.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Actually, the "wired in unit" is quite a bit more sophisticated than a protector that simply "blows itself up".

Basically, it's a voltage, current, and frequency monitor that closes a relay when it sees that everything is correct. Any time it senses voltage too high, to low, frequency off, current too high, or a ground fault, it disconnects the relay and turns off the power to the RV. When conditions return to normal, it will reenergize the relay and power returns.

And if it gets a zap from lightning or a severe voltage spike it is toast. There is no functional difference between the portable and the hard wired units that I am aware of, other than the ease of replacement of the portable unit and the ability to easily bypass it.

Aaron

[lewster]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

And if it gets a zap from lightning or a severe voltage spike it is toast. There is no functional difference between the portable and the hard wired units that I am aware of, other than the ease of replacement of the portable unit and the ability to easily bypass it.

Aaron

Exactly!

[SteveH]

Lightning can and will destroy anything.

The reason I installed the unit was because we had an air conditioner fan motor burnt up from low voltage at a park in Colorado last summer. This unit would have prevented that damage.

[Ron A]

I use a portable surge guard but whether portable or installed permanently I believe it's worth the money to protect things in the travel trailer. I have recently purchased a new TRC Model 34830 surge guard.

[Glenritas]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Just more of my opinion here, but I installed the permanent unit because I didn't want to have to haul out yet another device every time I hooked up to utilities, especially something that needed to be protected from rain, and possible theft.

With the water hose, water filter, power cord, and most times either the satellite dish or the cable hookup, felt like that was already too much.

ME TOO

But then I have a spare ... well it's for the washer and dryer.

[Florida 55]

Another vote for portable. At first I was worried about it being stolen. Having used it a while, even leaving it on the trailer in a campground while we were gone a few days, I don't worry anymore. If it gets stolen at some point I'll just have to buy another. Most campers are honest people who respect the property of others. I see people camping leave grills, televisions, generators, bicycles, expensive chairs, and other possessions of value outside their trailers without the valuables walking.

[Msmoto]

Here is mine along with the locking method I use when at an RV park. This is photographed in my garage, thus unlocked:

Voltage monitor by Fantinesvoice.com, on Flickr

As far as I know this one monitors things, has a two minute delay while it checks out the various aspects of the source, shuts down with low voltage, and is easily stored. In my current trailer accessing the power inlet on the interior and installing a permanent unit was impractical IMO.

[SteveH]

Interesting how a thread goes from "Does it make any difference if the portable surgeprotector is attached between the pedestal and extension cord or the extension cord and the trailer/van connection???" to a poll about wired in vs portable surge protectors just because someone has a different opinion, or desire, and voices it.

It seemed to me if someone was interested in having the surge protector on the other end of the cord, the inside unit was an obvious choice, but I guess not.

[adonh]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

And if it gets a zap from lightning or a severe voltage spike it is toast. There is no functional difference between the portable and the hard wired units that I am aware of, other than the ease of replacement of the portable unit and the ability to easily bypass it.

Aaron

Here is a response from Progressive Industries on the EMS-HW30C on the hard wired unit.

​If the surge protection devices give their all while protecting your
coach, you will see an E10 error code. You would then need to contact

us and obtain a replacement circuit board (The surge protection and control
circuitry are on different boards). The circuitry would permit you

to continue to power your coach, without using the bypass switch.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me.

Regards, Donald, Customer Support 919 267-6948

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by adonh

Here is a response from Progressive Industries on the EMS-HW30C on the hard wired unit.

​If the surge protection devices give their all while protecting your
coach, you will see an E10 error code. You would then need to contact

us and obtain a replacement circuit board (The surge protection and control
circuitry are on different boards). The circuitry would permit you

to continue to power your coach, without using the bypass switch.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me.

Regards, Donald, Customer Support 919 267-6948

That is great... for that specific model. There are at least 4 different brands of surge protector that I am aware of.

Aaron

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by unifreck

Does it make any difference if the portable surgeprotector is attached between the pedestal and extension cord or the extension cord and the trailer/van connection???

Thank you for your interest in helping this fairly new retiree.

It shouldn't matter, but you can't plug the surge protector into your trailer connection as it's a different plug type than the pedestal so your cord has a different plug type on each end. The trailer uses a twist type outlet and the pedestal a push type outlet like the surge protector uses. The only place you can use the protector is at the pedestal.