Surge protector...help

[5kidsmommy]

We have camped in our hybrid for years and even at some sketchy places but we've never had a surge protector. I've decided we really should invest in one before our February Fort trip. I am overwhelmed looking at all the different options. Do I need to invest in one of the super expensive ones or is one of the base models okay?

Please help because my brain is overwhelmed by all the information out there.

 

[peg110]

Are you looking for a surge protector for the WHOLE camper or just for select electronics inside?

When it comes to surge protectors, really, you will get what you pay for. Buy Cheap..... get cheap. Most of the better surge protectors come with a guarantee and an associated dollar value for protection. "Protection guaranteed up to $10,000" (or similar). I'd look for these type. Base your decision on the value of what it is you want to protect. If you are protecting a $200 TV, I don't think you need to buy the top end (but certainly it would work). The other thing to remember is that the Surge Protector is going to be JUNK right after that moment when it was needed. What I mean by that, is that the Surge Protector basically will sacrifice itself in a "Surge" condition to save your electronics that it's connected to. The better ones can handle smaller surges with no issues (maybe a "Circuit breaker" needs resetting) as well.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We don't have much in the trailer. It's a hybrid with not to many electronics, a radio and the microwave. We do bring our electronic gadgets with us while traveling, I have teens so they can't cut the cord too long. Lol.

What we've been considering is the one that is about $70, it's a circuit analyzer and says "Helps protect your electrical equipment from improperly wired electrical boxes, Diagnostic lights for visual indication of faults before you connect your RV's Power Cord to the electrical box, Surge protection up to 2100 joules"

The other one is the pricier model at about $200. "Protects your RV from dangerous high (>132 VAC) and low (<102 VAC) voltage levels, Automatically disconnects from dangerous voltage and reconnects after power stabilizes, Shows faults for reverse polarity, open neutral, and other power pedestal wiring issues, Integrated surge protection: 2,450 joules power rating for 30 Amps, Diagnostic lights for visual indication of fault, Protects your RV from dangerous voltage levels, Automatically reconnects after power stabilizes"

Obviously the $200 one offers more protection but I'm just wondering if it's overkill. We camp maybe 2-3 weeks a year. I'm just a bit confused.
I should also add, we can afford either, it's not an issue of the cost. I went with the two that had the highest reviews.

 

[North of Mouse]

We have camped in our hybrid for years and even at some sketchy places but we've never had a surge protector. I've decided we really should invest in one before our February Fort trip. I am overwhelmed looking at all the different options. Do I need to invest in one of the super expensive ones or is one of the base models okay?

Please help because my brain is overwhelmed by all the information out there.

We have camped for 48 years and never used a surge protector. Not saying you shouldn't have one - we just never have, and haven't had any problems. We do have them at home.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I keep a voltage monitor (LCD display) plugged into an outlet in the kitchen. At least I know if we are getting brown outs. From what I have heard at RV seminars, the $70 ones are a waste of money.
I keep one of these in the barn and the house also.

Yosoo AC 80-300V US Plug Wall Flat LCD Digital Voltmeter Volt Panel Meter Voltage Tester Gauge 110V Voltage Measuring Monitor volt Household voltage tester Gauge Multimeter

Less than $9 on Amazon.

 

[John VN]

A top of the ladder company......http://www.progressiveindustries.net/

 

[westom]

I am overwhelmed looking at all the different options. Do I need to invest in one of the super expensive ones or is one of the base models okay?

Start by defining what 'surge' you want to protect from. For example, your computer might report 'surge protection' which is power off only because one DC voltage is low. Obviously that type of surge does not exist in campground power.

Most troublesome campground anomalies include open neutral, reverse polarity, missing safety ground, and low voltage (sag or brownout). Nothing, called a surge protector that is for home receptacles, addresses any of these. Do not make a mistake that most here have done. They have assumed a surge protector is a 'magic' device that cures all anomalies. Campground surge protectors do not do what homes need. The word 'surge' has two completely different meanings in those two different venues.

A best and well respected campground protector is from Progressive Industries. And like all effective protectors, it should *never* sacrifice itself. Only profit centers do that.

Two protector types exist. One is installed (hardwired) inside a camper. This can perform essential functions. Second type is portable. Attaches (and best locked) to a power pole. Second type connects so much shorter to a pole's earth ground. Only second type can protect from a completely different anomaly called a surge (ie lightning).

Do not waste money on near zero power strip protectors that only claim to protect from one type of surge. And only if that surge is so tiny to not overwhelm protection already inside all appliances. Those near zero scams are sacrificial. Anyone can see why by reading (and post) specification numbers. Those 'magic' power strips must must 'block' or 'absorb' a surge. How does its 2 cm part 'block' what 3 miles of sky cannot? It doesn't. How does its (near zero) hundreds or a thousand joules 'absorb' a surge that is hundreds of thousands of joules. Obviously it is grossly undersized to fail on a surge already made irrelevant by protection inside every appliance.

Appreciate so many are so easily confused. An anomaly called a 'surge' (typically found in campgrounds) is never what near zero joule plug-in protectors are for. 'Surge' in campgrounds is averted by something that disconnects power when anomalies (ie reverse polarity, overvoltage, etc) occur. This protector takes forever (milliseconds) to provide more than enough protection. This type protector is especially critical for motorized appliances (ie air conditioner).

Another and completely different protector claims to sacrifice itself to protect from an anomaly that is done in microseconds. And that can never be protected from by 'blocking', 'absorbing', or 'sacrificing'. The most ineffective protectors also have a big buck warranty - that has so many exemption as to not be honored.

An industry standard for campground protection is http://www.progressiveindustries.net/services . Other manufacturers also exist. Do not waste money on something completely different and ineffective from Belkin, Tripplite, APC, Panamax, and Monster. Those near zero joule plug-in protectors do not claim to protect from anomalies typically found in campgrounds.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

"Do not make a mistake that most here have done. They have assumed a surge protector is a 'magic' device that cures all anomalies"

I am not exactly sure who is being referred to here ? No one made comments to this effect ?

 

[westom]

Only thing to discuss is the topic - the technology.

Meanwhile, a volt meter is informative. But does not constantly measure both phases. Does not constantly monitor safety ground. And does not act. Something unreliable - a human - must first measure everything and then do something. A protector for campgrounds replaces an unreliable human with a reliable circuit that does something useful if necessary.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I never claimed that it did anything other than monitor voltage.

You claimed that we have assumed something, when nothing that was posted made any such assumption.

 

[bama_ed]

I have never been that concerned about a surge protector but then again I'm probably ignorant to all the possible problems that are out there in different camping environments.

I remember reading something about this topic real recently but I have trouble remembering things nowadays since this guy asked me to look directly at his flashy thing:



Bama Ed

PS - hi bigdisneydaddy

 

[westom]

I never claimed that it did anything other than monitor voltage.

Again, clearly irrelevant. Topic is protectors and protection in campgrounds. Yes a meter is a useful tool. And irrelevant It is not a protector and does not do protection. Nor does it define or explain any options that confuse the OP. And does not define differences between various protectors.

OP is asking about campground protection. A meter in someone's kitchen says nothing about protectors or campground protection.

A superior monitor is a 120 volt incandescent bulb. A bulb's changing intensity notifies of voltage changes while also attracting everyone's attention immediately.

Campground anomalies occur unexpectedly at most any time. Campground anomalies are rare. But are significantly more frequent than what residential homes suffer. In some cases, resulting damage has forced campers cut short a vacation days early. Protector is cheap insurance. At bare minimum, it should detect and cut off power when unexpected brownouts and even more destructive overvoltages occur. Those tend to occur especially in lesser maintained or seasonal campgrounds. And at any time.

 

[2goofycampers]

So, take your chances. Buy cheap or buy expensive. Seem to be your options. I'm gonna ask my insurance if we're covered if something happens.

 

[Mad Stitch]

Since there is such a large price difference in this situation I think I'll go along with the logic my brother would use, "This one costs more so it must be better."

 

[cruising spud]

We have a portable surge guard protector that we got from Camping World for about $200.00 (on sale). It is our second surge guard protector. The first one lasted about eight years. Our newest one is on its third year. This surge guards attaches to the electric pedestal outside our rv. My husband has it in a plastic box (to help protect it from the rain), and he has made a lock for it (to protect it from being stolen).

Our thoughts on this-if we were going to invest in a camper, we wanted to protect our investment. Do I think the surge guard has ever truly done this? Yes, several times, in fact. There are years that we do quite a bit of camping, and we have been at campgrounds that have had the power abruptly quit and have been in storms that have caused us to have power failures.

So, yes, I would vote to get a surge protector.

 

[westom]

There are years that we do quite a bit of camping, and we have been at campgrounds that have had the power abruptly quit and have been in storms that have caused us to have power failures.

Surge protector does nothing for those anomalies. Abrupt power loss and power failures are not harmful to any electrical appliance. That anomaly is completely different from other anomalies (previously listed) that can be problematic.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Only thing to discuss is the topic - the technology

Unless I am missing something and you've been given moderator status I don't think its really your place to define what is and what isn't on topic for the rest of us. Personally, I was simply sharing a small step that I have taken. You then took it upon yourself to define what was and wasn't relevant. Youre entitled to your opinion and clearly have some technical knowledge to share but marginalizing the efforts of others seems to be foremost for you.

 

[cruising spud]

5kidsmommy,

If I were you, my head would be spinning by now with all of the information you have gotten on surge protectors. After reading westom's "critique" of my post, I looked up more information about the surge protector we bought. It is a Progressive Industries model, purchased from Camping World that does more than just protect from surges of electric. You could easily go to the Camping World site and check some surge protectors out. You could also google "best surge protectors" and get some insight on a surge protector that might be a good fit for you.

Best wishes in your search.

 

[5kidsmommy]

5kidsmommy,

If I were you, my head would be spinning by now with all of the information you have gotten on surge protectors. After reading westom's "critique" of my post, I looked up more information about the surge protector we bought. It is a Progressive Industries model, purchased from Camping World that does more than just protect from surges of electric. You could easily go to the Camping World site and check some surge protectors out. You could also google "best surge protectors" and get some insight on a surge protector that might be a good fit for you.

Best wishes in your search.

hahaha! Had I known it was such a divisive topic I would not have asked. Yes we did check out camping world. And the progressive model was one we were looking at. I think we will go with the higher model and consider it insurance. I am not so worried about any issues at the Fort but issues with some of the other campgrounds we have been to. Thanks for all the information.

 

[2goofycampers]

hahaha! Had I known it was such a divisive topic I would not have asked.

Always ask! I learned something, I'm sure others did also.