Surge Protection

[Roadtech]

I have looked at my 2014 27FB International and I can't find a good place to mount a hard wired unit. I would be interested in hearing from anyone with a similar Airstream as to where they installed their hard wired system.

[almcate]

Have the portable 30amp Progressive with a bike lock to encourage good citizenship. Other than leaving locked to the pole (UPS, ranger's bolt cutter, and a new lock solved that), it just sits there which is good by me. Full timing, we stop at all manner of places and haven't had any power problems, but with a load of electronics for work on the road, figure it's cheap insurance. Surge is one element, but if the voltage is too high or too low, (according to spec) the unit records the error on readout and never powers to the AS. Hopefully, it will continue to do nothing and the two minute pause while it samples power source before powering through is a reassuring reminder that, it in fact, is working.

[richw46]

I emailed Progressive about needing to add anything protective to the portable unit while it's hanging on the pole. I specifically asked "is there anything I need to do to protect the SSP30 from rain and dirt or is it fully sealed?"

I received a reply
"You do not need to do anything else"

Thomas E. Fanelli, President
Progressive Industries
414B Airport Boulevard
Morrisville, NC 27560

I think that says it all

[GCinSC2]

I chose to hardwire my surge for a different reason than I've seen mentioned so far.

I've replaced two cord ends on my shore line so far. Not a big deal, plenty of cord.

But the stubby short leads on a 30A pedestal mount look almost impossible to replace a plug on.

Neither or the replacement plugs was burned to failure, just cooked a bit from damaged outlets.

Gary

[Sal44]

Originally Posted by Roadtech

I have looked at my 2014 27FB International and I can't find a good place to mount a hard wired unit. I would be interested in hearing from anyone with a similar Airstream as to where they installed their hard wired system.

I hard wired mine under the wardrobe cabinet. This only protects your side plug in and not the front one. I find I have never used the front one anyways which I suppose would normally be used for the generator. This hides the surge protector but allows easy access to it as well.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by Sal44

I hard wired mine under the wardrobe cabinet. This only protects your side plug in and not the front one. I find I have never used the front one anyways which I suppose would normally be used for the generator. This hides the surge protector but allows easy access to it as well.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have the 50 amp version, so I don't have a front plug, so this should work fine for me. Do you have the remote monitor? If so, where did you mount it?

[Sal44]

I have a built in display

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by Roadtech

Thanks for the suggestion. I have the 50 amp version, so I don't have a front plug, so this should work fine for me. Do you have the remote monitor? If so, where did you mount it?

I have the remote monitor. I mounted mine in the cabinet under the sink. Easy to look at when I first hook up or if I am having a problem with AC. But not out where I have to watch the monitor blink continually.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

I have the remote monitor. I mounted mine in the cabinet under the sink. Easy to look at when I first hook up or if I am having a problem with AC. But not out where I have to watch the monitor blink continually.

So you just open the cabinet door when you want to look at the display? Do you have the Progressive Industries or the Surge Guard unit?

[daveswenson]

I have the progressive industries, and yep, that's what I do.

[time2play]

This may be a dumb question - but why do I need a surge protector? I thought the Airstream trailers had a built in surge protector.

Thanks for your patience.

Yolanda

[Landrum]

For the same reason you might use surge protectors on your home tv or computers. It protects the expensive electronics in your airstream from power surges (lightning being one example). Most rv'ers don't use them. In fact I have never used one, but I had one delivered today by Amazon. Some also protect against faulty wiring at a campsite, low voltage, and high voltage ( but less than a surge).

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by time2play

I thought the Airstream trailers had a built in surge protector.

Not to my knowledge. Mine doesn't.

[acstokes]

It's like insurance. You don't need it until you need it.

[Hiho Silver]

I put mine under the closet on my 2014 27FB Flying Cloud, and the monitor is above the refrigerator. It does make a slight humming noise, no big deal. I was told to put it as close as possible to where you plug into shore power. Not sure if it is the same floor plan as your International?

[richw46]

Originally Posted by time2play

This may be a dumb question - but why do I need a surge protector? I thought the Airstream trailers had a built in surge protector.

Thanks for your patience.

Yolanda

My Progressive Ind. model, in addition to surge protection, performs a test on the circuit before I connect. It checks for an open ground, open neutral and reverse polarity. Surge protection is an added benefit and useful in some rural areas.

[Sal44]

Mine has cut the power off for low voltage several times at different rv parks. That's something that would normally not be detected. Also if you have an older AC unit it may not have the compressor lag after a power outage. My unit can be set up to provide 2 minutes before allowing power to be reestablished.

[time2play]

Thanks everyone for answering my question, I appreciate your help.

Based on what's been recommended here, I plan on ordering this item: Portable 50A Smart Surge Protector

But I'm curious about something else, what about "voltage" protection? Is this surge protector enough to protect my Airstream?

Just as I seem to understand something....I get confused about something else!

[PharmGeek]

Voltage delivered needs to be not too low and not too high - this can happen and it can cause damage to electronics - these things happen as I understand due to a number of factors including during high use many AC units running and voltage drops

Then there is the issue if "open neutral" - I will not attempt to explain this but as I read about it - it would be very bad

[morgandc]

I had the 50amp portable version with my motorhome, never liked wrestling with it. So with my airstream I got the 30 amp hard wired version, installed it under the wardrobe and love it!

-Dwight