 |
10-29-2020, 07:39 PM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member 
New Braunfels
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 12
|
Surge protector is bad
Jtom
1 Rivet Member
Surge protector
I have a 2019 Flying Cloud that we got in January 2020. Bought a surge PI Ems 50 watt surge protector. We immediately started havIng problems with one of our ACs and microwave tripping the breaker. We took it in the Airstream Dealer and they checked everything without the surge protector and they work. They tried the surge protector and the AC and the microwave flipped the breaker and fried the microwave....the dealer said the surge protector was causing surge, thus flipping the break and frying the microwave. I can understand a surge p, not functioning, but how can it cause surges? Just trying to figure this out. I’m Progressive Industries about a refund or exchange....any guidance would be helpful...thanks
|
|
|
10-29-2020, 07:47 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master 
1993 21' Sovereign
Colfax
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,254
|
If you're trying to run your trailer with a 50 watt surge protector, that's probably the issue. 50 watts is barely enough to run a few light bulbs, and maybe a laptop charger.
Are you sure it's only 50 watts?
__________________
Terry
|
|
|
10-29-2020, 07:50 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master 

2017 22' Sport
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,369
|
I think that's a typo.
i assume he meant 50A
|
|
|
10-29-2020, 09:00 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team

2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,296
|
I have a 30 amp PI EMS unit which was damaged by a power surge. I found the customer support at PI to be very knowledgeable and focused on solving my problem. A new unit was shipped to me while on the road. Problem solved.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
|
|
|
10-29-2020, 09:45 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master 
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,131
|
A poorly functioning surge protector could cause low voltage on the branch circuits leading to issues you describe. You could verify low voltage or trust the tech and go for a warrantee replacement.
__________________
Brian
|
|
|
10-30-2020, 10:06 AM
|
#6
|
Trilla the Traveling Tube
2018 22' Sport
CHEYENNE
, WY
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 237
|
Are you plugged into shore power at home, or has it happened at a specific park or multiple?
There may be a problem at the source in which you are plugged into that is causing the 50 amp protector issues.
__________________
As Fate would have it
2018 GMC Sierra 1500
2018 22FB Sport
|
|
|
10-30-2020, 10:09 AM
|
#7
|
Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 9,062
|
Hi
It's possible for *any* piece of gear to be bad / go bad. If indeed you have a Progressive Industries 50A EMS, they have a good warranty on them. Give them a call and see how it goes.
Bob
|
|
|
10-30-2020, 10:12 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master 

2017 22' Sport
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,369
|
Progressive Industries EMS have very good support and warrantees.
give them a call, and they will likely send you a new one at no charge
|
|
|
10-30-2020, 01:08 PM
|
#9
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 Interstate Nineteen
Olympic Peninsula
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 35
|
OP said: "They tried the surge protector and the AC and the microwave flipped the breaker and fried the microwave....the dealer said the surge protector was causing surge, thus flipping the break and frying the microwave."
Hard to know from the description what actually happened. Thoughts about it as described: 'Surge' and 'Fried' need definitions. How would a surge protector create a spike in voltage (surge) or disturbance to the waveform? Fried suggests the result of a surge. The protector clamps high voltage and diverts it to ground which is to the breaker an overcurrent condition and causes it to trip. The speed (clamping) of the surge by the protector can be slower than the spike in voltage and damage both a sensitive device like a microwave circuit board and the protector itself. Could be there was a surge? Do the techs know and understand the inner workings of the parts they determine are bad and replace? Low voltage will most likely cause harm to an electric motor. If voltage drops then current rises as the rotor slows and heat rises in the motor windings leading to damage.
|
|
|
10-30-2020, 01:28 PM
|
#10
|
1 Rivet Member 
1972 31' Sovereign
Dry Branch
, Georgia
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 12
|
Years ago when I first purchased a home computer they recommended a surge protector with battery backup that a computer should be turned off properly so I had that also.
While using the surge protector the protector would shut down often without warning. Not good at all.
I have not used one since and have never had an issue with electronics tearing up because of a surge. They usually tear up from cheap components.
|
|
|
10-31-2020, 03:28 PM
|
#11
|
:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745

2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,380
|
I have had good warranty service from Southwire/"Surge Gaurd" protectors. They gladly replaced mine after a strike with the latest model.
guskmg
|
|
|
 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|

Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|