surge protectors

[LarryandWink]

We just purchased a 2019 Jayco Precept and we were told to buy a surge protector.  While we were camping, we discovered that we had a built in surge protector under the bed.  My question  ....will it cause any problems if you use two surge protectors at the same time? 

 

[docj]

Most people here will tell you that what you really need is NOT a surge suppressor (protector) but, rather, a power management system that will protect you from far more common occurrences such as: low voltage, floating neutrals, reversed polarity, etc.  Some RVers, unfortunately, don't understand the difference between surge suppressors and PMS's and, therefore, lump all such devices under the generic term "surge suppressor."

That being said, I don't have any idea what you have purchased nor what is already built into your RV.  Multiple surge suppressors wouldn't hurt anything, but multiple power management systems might interfere with each other.  If you can tell us what you bought and what has already been installed, the people here can give you some better guidance.

 

[RVMommaTo6]

Would it say in the manual if there already is one or not? Or is there somewhere we can look to find that info?
I have a 2015 Thor ACE.

 

[John From Detroit]

You say you have a built in surge protector.. Can you advise the make and model?

THer eare surger protectors and there are SURGE PROTECTORS.. You want the latter

 

[docj]

Would it say in the manual if there already is one or not? Or is there somewhere we can look to find that info?
I have a 2015 Thor ACE.

Amanda:

Except at the higher end of the price scale, most MH's don't come with built in Power Management Systems, although it's possible they might have surge supressors.  Here's a link to a Thor owner's discussion forum where people are asking this same question so I think you can assume that such devices are not included as standard equipment: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f10/surge-protection-4468.html

The Progressive PMS discussed in the thread is the one I own as do many others on this forum.  I have, in the past, owned a similar device marketed under the SurgeGuard name and I think the Progressive has significant advantages.  IMO a key advantage is that the Progressive keeps a record of the "previous fault code" which makes it a lot easier to diagnose an intermittent problem.  The device is sold in both permanently installed and portable varieties for both 50A and 30A RVs.

Joel (AKA docj)

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Short answer is NO, two won't cause any difficulties at all.

Many new coaches (not just high end models) now come with built-in electrical protection of some sort, anywhere from a basic "surge" protect to sophisticated power monitoring.  I can't find anything on the Jayco site about such a thing on the Precept, but the equipment info there is skimpy anyway.  If you can identify the make & model of the thing you found under the bed, we can help you with its function(s).  If you have already bought an add-on power management device, please identify the make & model of that as well.

 

[RVMommaTo6]

Thank you! I'll have to get one.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The two major brands are Progessive Industries and Surge Guard.  Many RVers prefer Progressive for best warranty and custoer service, but functionally they are both solid.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/
https://rvpower.southwire.com/products/surge-protection/

 

[RVMommaTo6]

Reading thread after thread about electricity is making me feel pretty dumb, this is definitely not my area of expertise. So in dumbed down language that even I could understand lol, I know I need one of these, but there are so many to choose from and such a huge price difference between them, anywhere from $70 to $400. I don't want to get the wrong thing but I also don't want to spend $400 on something I can get for $70. So what is the minimum that I "need" without a bunch of extra fancy options? As for what I want out of it like high or low voltage or surges or whatever, I don't know, I just want to be able to pull up to a campground, plug in, and not catch on fire or fry my AC. I know, it's a lot to ask of a campground, but I'm picky like that.

 

[docj]

there are so many to choose from and such a huge price difference between them, anywhere from $70 to $400. I don't want to get the wrong thing but I also don't want to spend $400 on something I can get for $70.

At the $70 end of the spectrum you would be getting a simple surge suppressor.  At the upper end you are getting a power management system (PMS) that protects against all sorts of things in addition to surges.  Such things include low voltage, high voltage, floating neutral, reversed polarity, etc.  It's not that surges aren't important, but they aren't the most common problems you will encounter.  The $400 investment will protect you from a lot more problems.

As has been previously posted, there are two principal manufacturers of such PMS devices which are marketed under the Progressive and SurgeGuard brand names.  Quite a few of us think the Progressive is the better bet for roughly the same price; I do and I've owned both.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Elaborating on Docj's message, there are three levels of function in these devices.

1. Surge protect only: These suppress extremely short "surges" (high voltage) that can occur in a power line when lightning strikes or powerful motors or compressor start/stop. The $70 devices are probably this type.

2. Surge protect plus power test: These have the capability of #1, plus they check the outlet at the time you plug in to verify that it is properly wired and functioning. Campground power outlets get a lot of wear & tear and some were never wired per the National Electrical Code to begin with, so this is a valuable extra check.

3. Surge plus Power monitoring:  These perform all the functions of #1 & #2, plus they continuously monitor for high & low voltage and frequency. This protects your air conditioner and microwave from damage if the voltage or frequency goes out of spec due to heavy loads in the campground power system. Some parks have really robust power grids and rarely have problems, but older or poorly maintained parks are too often problematic.  Even large state or county parks.

#3 is the best but expensive, and #2 is the minimum I would suggest. Whether you really need #3 depends on where you go, but many Rvers don't know where they may stay next and what the power is like there, so #3 provides peace of mind.

 

[RVMommaTo6]

#3 is the best but expensive, and #2 is the minimum I would suggest. Whether you really need #3 depends on where you go, but many Rvers don't know where they may stay next and what the power if like there, so #3 provides peace of mind.

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

 

[shorts]

I would definitely recommend #3 and especially the one from Progressive Industries. We have run into way more instances of low power where our EMS has shut our power down to protect our appliances. A regular surge protector would not have done that. Progressive has also replaced our unit no charge when it started showing a repeated error code that was not accurate. Great customer service!! It?s expensive but well worth it.

Vicki

 

[RVMommaTo6]

Thank you!

 

[Rene T]

I guess the OP is not going to get back to us. That's frustrating.  :'( :'( :'(