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Old 08-07-2013, 09:26 PM   #1
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Surge Protector

Does anyone have any feelings about how much value the surge protector is on a trailer? We will be new to trailer camping when we get our new Escape in November and aren't familiar with how necessary a surge protector may be. You comments would be very welcomed. Thank you.
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:33 PM   #2
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Not to be blunt, but it is like "safe sex". In campgrounds your trailer will be open to miswired pedestals, over and under voltage, spikes and surges all of which can ruin the electronics in your trailer, the refer, the converter, the tv, everything can be fried without using the EMS. It monitors the electric constantly, similar to GFCI, and any problems, it cut s it off. Without one, you take the risk of having your trailer fried, electrically.,
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Old 08-08-2013, 12:32 AM   #3
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Jim,

Thank you very much. Without any campground experience your comments were very valuable and I appreciate them.
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Old 08-08-2013, 07:45 AM   #4
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We bought one last year from Escape to add to our 17b and it went into action a few times during our 7 weeks in Florida- it worked flawlessly.
There were certainly some Campgrounds that, if we hadn't had the surge protector, I wouldn't have wanted to plug in. As Jim indicated above - It's definitely worth the peace of mind.
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Old 08-08-2013, 08:54 AM   #5
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I've had mine trip 4 times in the last 2 years of travel - once because of reverse polarity, and 3 times for low voltage. While that isn't all that often, it well could have saved air conditioner damage running at low voltage.

I have the Progressive EMS-HW30C Surge Protector, which shows the voltage, frequency & current on an external display. The current reading is handy, particularly when you are connected to 15/20 amp connections - if you have an electric water heater you can tell when it cycles off and wait until it does before you add other large loads.
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Old 08-08-2013, 02:45 PM   #6
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So is it better to have a 50A surge protector plugged in directly and then step it down to 30A with an adaptor, or is it better to have a 30A surge protector plugged in to the 50 -> 30 adaptor that's directly plugged in to power?
I ask because the cheapest 30A protector I could find is $30 cheaper than the cheapest 50A protector. We're not in the market for something fancy and expensive, I just need something that works so we don't fry our electrical system!
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Old 08-08-2013, 03:11 PM   #7
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I also don't want to spend $300, but would like some protection. I don't have air, so do I really need the fancy surge protector? Would some other inexpensive device warn me of polarity issues, etc.?
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Old 08-08-2013, 03:19 PM   #8
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Glenn,
Is $5 too much Amazon.com: electrical testor
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Old 08-08-2013, 03:19 PM   #9
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I think without AC one only needs 15 amp power. A power bar and a garbage bag may be an answer. Plug your rig into a computer type power bar then into the campsite power pole. Place plastic garbage bag over power pole to keep out moisture.
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Old 08-08-2013, 03:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hillary View Post
So is it better to have a 50A surge protector plugged in directly and then step it down to 30A with an adaptor, or is it better to have a 30A surge protector plugged in to the 50 -> 30 adaptor that's directly plugged in to power?
I ask because the cheapest 30A protector I could find is $30 cheaper than the cheapest 50A protector. We're not in the market for something fancy and expensive, I just need something that works so we don't fry our electrical system!
Hillary, the 30 amp model is what you want, 50 amp is not. This is just a surge for electrical, it will not address incorrect wiring, see Baglo's post nor will it address over/under voltage. If you want that you will need this one Progressive Industries Energy Management System 30 Amp Portable
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Old 08-08-2013, 03:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Hillary, the 30 amp model is what you want, 50 amp is not. This is just a surge for electrical, it will not address incorrect wiring, see Baglo's post nor will it address over/under voltage. If you want that you will need this one Progressive Industries Energy Management System 30 Amp Portable
Got it, I was thinking I could supplement that with the $5 polarity checker I already own, not realizing it wouldn't do anything about over/under. Guess we'll be going with nothing til we can buy the $250 one! We haven't actually even plugged in once yet, but have been using our portable solar panel on every trip at no hookup sites. The October NOG will be the first time we'll actually have electric at our site, and we definitely won't be using the AC on the coast in October.
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Old 08-08-2013, 04:09 PM   #12
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Then take the little polarity checker and check the wiring if okay plug in, Here is another option, it will tell you the voltage of the 120 line, i it drops then you know to unplug. Cheaper but you then have to watch it yourself vs the "automatic" one. Camco 55263 120V RV AC Line Voltage Meter : Amazon.com : Automotive
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Old 08-08-2013, 05:48 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac View Post
I think without AC one only needs 15 amp power. A power bar and a garbage bag may be an answer. Plug your rig into a computer type power bar then into the campsite power pole. Place plastic garbage bag over power pole to keep out moisture.
Here's one from Future Shop (online). It has both surge & brownout protection & best of all, only $39.00. 15A only....
CyberPower Standby 255W UPS Surge Protector (CP350SLG) : Computer Battery Backup - Future Shop
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Old 08-08-2013, 06:14 PM   #14
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I bought this portable one that has three LED lights. It works great and save us once this last trip.

Progressive Industries Smart Surge 120Volt / 30Amp - In-line Model

Got mine on Amazon for a little less than this. Plug it in and check the outlet then turn off the circuit breaker, plug in the trailer and turn it back one. Works great.
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Old 08-08-2013, 08:56 PM   #15
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The cheapest spot to buy the progressive industry one was through Escape Industies, that I found.
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Old 08-08-2013, 09:52 PM   #16
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What model is supplied by Escape on their option sheet?
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Old 08-09-2013, 07:54 AM   #17
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The Escape model is the built in EMS EMS-HW30C
it does it all, surge/spike/miss wired/over/under voltage everything
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Old 08-09-2013, 10:42 AM   #18
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Nice!
Thanks Jim.
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Old 08-18-2013, 08:18 PM   #19
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Anyone have any thoughts (pros, cons, etc.) over the internal surge protector that Escape offers vs. an externally mounted one?
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Old 08-18-2013, 08:23 PM   #20
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External mounted one can be stolen, in addition some pedestals are so low to the ground that the EMS will not fit or work. Had both, like the built in better
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