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Old 08-25-2014, 06:36 PM   #1
rmcspeterson
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Surge Protector

My wife and I have a 2013 Cougar 331MKS. We have been enjoying it on and off since April 2013. Today we are camped at Tall Chief RV Campground in Fall City, WA. I never thought that the $350 I spent on a portable 50 amp surge guard would come in handy. Let me tell you, it is worth the investment. Today when I plugged in I got a "Reverse Polarity" warning. Rather than frying the 5th wheel, we simply had to change sites. And yes, I alerted the campground. If you don't have a surge protector, I suggest that you consider this investment.
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Old 08-26-2014, 07:52 AM   #2
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This is something I've been wondering about quite a bit lately. As I wander the campground, I notice that very few trailers have one, and yet I know about the benefits of a surge protector. I wonder why so few seem to use them.

I saw one in a campground office store a few weeks ago for only about $120 Canadian. Why would it be that much cheaper than yours? Maybe it was a 30 amp?

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Old 08-26-2014, 08:13 AM   #3
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Some are mounted internally, so there may be more being used than you can see.
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Old 08-26-2014, 08:29 AM   #4
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Surge Protector

I also have a surge protector. I have been asked many times by other campers if they should get one. My answer is always yes. It was the first purchase I made after purchasing the RV.I have been camping for 40 years and have seen the damage that can result from not having one. As my dad use to say, you may not need it except for that one time and then you will wish that you had it. I also chain it to the post because at $300.plus, they will walk. I don't intend that to happen. I selected portable the portable as I knew that I would upgrade my FW, and I did. Didn't have to purchase a new one or remove one that was hard installed.

Never leave home without one!!!!!
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Old 08-26-2014, 10:18 AM   #5
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I have one that I hard wired in with a digital read out. In the last six months it has saved me/my wiring twice. It is made by Progressive Industries in North Carolina, it's a 30A. Protects against under voltage over voltage no ground reverse polarity and Hertz. Wouldn't be without it now. Well worth the investment if you ask me. Happy Campin....
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Old 08-26-2014, 02:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lightning79 View Post
This is something I've been wondering about quite a bit lately. As I wander the campground, I notice that very few trailers have one, and yet I know about the benefits of a surge protector. I wonder why so few seem to use them.

I saw one in a campground office store a few weeks ago for only about $120 Canadian. Why would it be that much cheaper than yours? Maybe it was a 30 amp?

Kevin
You won't see the ones that are internal, only those hooked up outside. Personally, I think of them as insurance for everything electrical inside your RV/trailer/5er, and that can amount to a lot of money. I went with a Progressive external one and a short length of chain with padlock that I can wrap around just about any pedestal. Someone could rip it off if they were really after it, but I don't have to do a lot of electrical work (beyond what I already have!).
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Old 08-26-2014, 05:20 PM   #7
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Mine is hard wired internal as well. Since my DW talked me into the extended warranty, many warranties require a dealer installed surge protector. Without it, they can refuse a claim. Bottom line, I installed it for other reasons, but I'm glad I have it.
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Old 08-27-2014, 07:35 PM   #8
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Mine is internal as well. Camping World installed it behind the wall in the storage compartment and placed a piece of clear plastic for easing reading. When I hook up to the electricity from the pole, it takes 80 seconds to read the electricity. Common sense purchase with all the electronics on board our rigs.
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Old 08-30-2014, 03:55 PM   #9
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Purchasing a 2014 Mountaineer 375FLF and want to install the hardwired power protector. Just not sure where the best place to mount it. Is there room in the cabinet under the desk? that's where the breaker panel is located.
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Old 08-31-2014, 08:18 PM   #10
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Yes indeed...I wouldn't hook-up without one! And like others have stated, a short chain wrapped around the upper cord just below the plug, then tight around the post so even if they unplug it from the post it will not come loose from the chain! Bolt cutters required if they want it bad enough!
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Old 08-31-2014, 08:33 PM   #11
Mike Perrault
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Just bought one!

A friend of mine bought one and I respect him a lot. Sure enough, he plugged in and it showed reversed polarity. Saved his new rig.

I am now the proud owner of one too! Can't wait to plug in see how it works!
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Old 09-01-2014, 06:29 AM   #12
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I weighed the possible outcome of not having one vs the cost of a power protector. It made sense to spend the "insurance" money like I would on a water pressure regulator. So far, so good...
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Old 09-01-2014, 08:14 AM   #13
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After reading this thread I just purchased one. After 5 years without one my Luck was about to run out.
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Old 09-01-2014, 08:41 AM   #14
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isn't it great all of the wonderful gadgets we can buy and add to our rv's? I was just thinking about retiring in a few months and going full time, but I'll need a full time job to pay for all of my rv upgrades
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Old 09-01-2014, 02:11 PM   #15
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We've been using one since we bought our 2007 TT. I moved it over to our new 5er. Saved our bacon on several occasions.
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Old 09-01-2014, 05:45 PM   #16
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I just picked one up from Camping World today on sale. Don't want to take any chances.
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Old 09-02-2014, 04:38 AM   #17
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OP: Could you give us a summary about the fire you described in another post?
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Old 09-02-2014, 11:10 AM   #18
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Cool Reversed Polarity - hazardous

There have been several posts about how the Surge Protector identified a Reverse Polarity situation, and that it prevented damage to the RV when someone plugged it in. While it is good they identified that situation, it is probably unlikely that Reversed AC Polarity would cause damage.

However, it is bad in the respect that someone screwed up, and who knows if the person hooking up that circuit didn't do something worse!

Please don't take this as saying you shouldn't have a Surge Protector! They do a lot more than just check polarity.
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Old 09-02-2014, 07:42 PM   #19
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That's true, reverse polarity typically will not cause damage, but it does create a shock hazard to a user. For that reason alone it's good to know and disconnect from that post. Of course, with systems in RVs being as "sensitive" as they are, I wouldn't want to use anything that is not correct....seems like just an excuse for something to go wrong.
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Old 09-02-2014, 08:30 PM   #20
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Reverse polarity can also mean something is going wrong. Two weeks ago I was at a park and my progressive industries unit started reading reverse polarity in the middle of the night after. Being hooked up for two days. Checked the pole with my meter and both sides of the plug were showing voltage To ground so something happened. Switched poles and got similar readings. Waited until the next day and it was normal again. That place ended up frying my auto former and my ems. Progressive was great sent a new board out to repair the ems. Still waiting to find out about the auto former.

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