Surge protectors- yes or no?

[russue125]

I'm not sure I want to spend $300 for one that has all the bell and whistles. Is there a less expensive version that works well?

[russue125]

What do you think of this model for my Thor ACE.



Progressive Industries 313.1168 SSP30X Smart Surge Protector - 120V/30A

[rtewdtew]

Hi, I'm Jerry and my wife and I are somewhat newbies...been RVing for a couple years now. I definitely recommend a good surge protector. I don't connect anything til my surge P. is in place. Took a lightning hit South of Tampa, FL and it burned up the breakers in the camp power box and melted the connector and blew my surge protector. I had extended warranty. Went to the nearest camping world to get a new power plug that went to the RV and replaced it. Had a ranger to replace the breakers in power box and all was ok. No damage to the RV. My guess is the surge protector saved our bacon. Since I had extended warranty, Camp. World replaced it free of charge. The extended warranty is only 10 or 12 dollars and well worth it. Hope this helps. Also, one more note. Some power poles are wired incorrectly. The Surge protector will check and catch that problem before it damages your onboard equipment. Good luck and best regards. Diane & Jerry
Good Sams Member
31W Thor Four Winds, Class C

[lal22]

Originally Posted by naturescott49

I wouldn't plug in without it! BUT, having had two built-in units fail, leaving my without 120v power, I've gone to the dongle kind. They work just as well. Yes, they're pretty easily stolen, but they are not that expensive.

What exactly is the "dongle kind"? Excuse my ignorance...🥴

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by russue125

I'm not sure I want to spend $300 for one that has all the bell and whistles. Is there a less expensive version that works well?

You get what you pay for. Progressive Industries backs there products also. You could also look for a used one.

[russue125]

Is this a good surge protector for my 2016 ACE?
Progressive Industries 313.1168 SSP30X Smart Surge Protector - 120V/30A

<li id="style_name_8" title="Click to select SSP-30X" data-defaultasin="B015G2YYN0" data-dp-url="" class="swatchSelect"> Surge Protection: 3-Mode / 825J / 22,500A. Ratings: 30A / 120V / 3,600W. Operating Temperatures: -40C to +105C

• Open Ground, Open Neutral & Reverse Polarity Detection. Miss wired Pedestal Indication. Surge Failure Indicator.
• Designed for Outdoor Use, Weather Resistant, Thermally Protected
• Rugged Pull Handle, Brighter 3-Color LED Indicator
• Lifetime Warranty.

[russue125]

Or this one...


PROGRESSIVE INDUSTRIES SSP-30XL Surge Protector with Cover (30 Amp)

• Surge Protection: 3-Mode / 825J / 22,500A. Ratings: 30A / 120V / 3,600W. Operating Temperatures: -40C to +105C
• Open Ground, Open Neutral & Reverse Polarity Detection, Miswired Pedestal Indication, Surge Failure Indicator
• Designed for Outdoor Use, Weather Resistant, All Weather Shield Assembly, Thermally Protected
• Rugged Pull Handle, Locking Bracket, Tough Lexan Housing, Brighter 3-Color LED Indicators
• UL Certified and Canadian Approved, Lifetime Warranty (excludes All Weather Shield Assembly).

[Bob Denman]

They'll do the job...
Once you've decided to buy one: do yourself a BIG favor...
Buy a decent padlock, and some chain, to protect your investment!

[blw2]

I installed a hardwired Progressives Ind unit very early on after buying the MH. Wanting to protect my investment, save headaches from dealing with failed stuff, and also with the crazy idea of protecting against fire ...prob very unlikely, but still....
I'm reminded of I think the 1st trip out with it....prob the second since owning the coach. It was a hot summer weekend, and all the AC's in the park were humming away....on a voltage that was much much to low for happy cooling...
Mine tripped out several times that weekend. It was nuisance, but I felt like it was protecting my ac and other appliances. I'm pretty sure I was the only one in the park that knew the voltages were that low.
I've had it trip out several times since...but never as often as that weekend.

[paulwadley]

It is like insurance. You don't need it until something happens and if you don't have it you wish you did have it. I never go out without my surge protector. I cable lock it to the post as well as the coach 30 amp line to keep people honest. My surge protector cost around $250-$300 from amazon. If a surge does go through your line into the coach without a surge protector you could lose thousands of dollars of equipment and appliances as well as wiring. It is cheap compared to the potential loss without one.

[lal22]

True, very true. I ordered one from Amazon. Should be here next week, so I will be prepared for our first trip.

[Bob Denman]

Congratulations!
But I hope that you never have to find out how good they are...

[lal22]

For sure, finding out how good or bad your insurance is in any situation is an event I can do without.[emoji16]

[bevedfelker]

Get one -- you may never need it -- BUT -- the one time you might need it and don't have one could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs to electronics and appliances.

[Long & Winding road]

Get one for sure. Nothing worse IMO is NOT doing something you should have done .... then a month later something happens and it like "If I would have just done this or that first" I would not have this problem or damage.

I hard wired mine as well (Located under my bed - only good spot for one in my RV) but it hums all the time when plugged in. Not noticeable with AC or a fan etc.... but at night when all is quiet I can hear it in the bedroom. Sometimes it bothers me.... sometimes it dont.

So I say at least get one for the pole but the best one IMO is hard wired .... so try and hardware in an exterior compartment (but not under your bed).

I may move mine to the compartment below the bed or at least to the outside wall under the bed. I added more sound insulation so that helped some.

[Bob Denman]

It's only humming; because it doesn't know the words to the song..

[lal22]

Too funny!🤣

[Long & Winding road]

Good old Bob.

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1559652668

[markgable]

Went over to a friends house to driveway camp. I was running the generator for air conditioner and friend says, "hey lets just plug you in...I've got a 30 amp hookup down here". I had installed a hardwired PD EMS 30 the day before on our new to us Thor Vegas 24.1. We plugged in, and things started popping and going off and on, the EMS went into protection mode and everything shut down. We found a short in the end of his 30amp cord plug. I don't know for sure if anything would have been damaged, but, you can imagine I was very thankful I had put in my surge protector just the day prior! My vote is purchase and EMS!