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Old 07-12-2017, 09:15 PM   #1
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Surge protector

I have a 2017 Thor Windsport 29m. Looking for a suggestion on what I should purchase for a surge protector. It's a 30 amp.

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Old 07-12-2017, 09:34 PM   #2
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You don't want just a surge protector. What you should get is an EMS unit, such as Progressive makes. It's not cheap, but it will protect you against many electrical problems.

Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea
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Old 07-12-2017, 09:34 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by ewadsworth View Post
I have a 2017 Thor Windsport 29m. Looking for a suggestion on what I should purchase for a surge protector. It's a 30 amp.
Do a search in this forum. Quite a few threads discussing this topic.
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Old 07-12-2017, 09:47 PM   #4
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Check this one out and watch the video:
hughesautoformers.com
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Old 07-12-2017, 10:55 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by ewadsworth View Post
I have a 2017 Thor Windsport 29m. Looking for a suggestion on what I should purchase for a surge protector. It's a 30 amp.
You definitely want a Progressive surge protector, hard wired. Under the bed is a removable panel with four screws, your electronics and transfer switch are located this is where you need to mount the surge protector. You can drill a hole and mount the digital readout right above the breaker panel where it's easy to see. Several of us with 29Ms have installed the Progressive with great success.

Look in the modifications section of the forum for Jerry's Hurricane mods, over 80 pages of mods aimed at 29Ms.

Hope you enjoy your coach!
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Old 07-12-2017, 11:41 PM   #6
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I went with a hardwired progressive unit, and don't regret it.
My only regret with it was not buying the remote display. I was trying to save a buck.....I know I could add it, just seems like there's always something more pressing
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Old 07-12-2017, 11:53 PM   #7
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Hard wired Progressive is the way to go. Simple to install.
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Old 07-13-2017, 12:16 AM   #8
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I have a portable Progressive unit. Great unit and would buy again. I lock it to the post or keep it in the cord storage bin and use a second cord to plug into the post. Several times this year its diagnostics has found issues with the campground outlets. You wont regret the purchase.
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Old 07-13-2017, 01:50 AM   #9
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We, also, have the Progressive Portable, post mount unit. Get the one which checks out everything before the green light comes on. In addition, we have the lock box, to help protect against theft.
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Old 07-13-2017, 03:06 AM   #10
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i had th Progressive portable for my Vegas worked well. Decided to get the hard wired model for my new Windsport because I didn't want to have lock it up every time. Just came back from a camping trip with friends and their circuit breaker cut off their power. When they checked the pedestal they saw sparks so they called the campground office and when they checked the pedestal they found a short on the 30 amp circuit. It was at night and they couldn't fix it so they told them to us the 50 amp side. I use to wonder if a surge protector was necessary or overkill not anymore.
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Old 07-13-2017, 03:17 AM   #11
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The Progressive units are well worth the money. I have the portable that checks out all systems at the post before the "green" good to go lite illuminates signaling it's ok to plug in. Stay safe
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Old 07-13-2017, 01:52 PM   #12
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While full timing in previous RV's we went the Progressive hard wired route. It may be easy for some to do themselves but I never did because I wanted to make sure I didn't mess up their warranty. Progressive will pay for repairs to your coach if any damage occurs from electrical issues caused by something getting by their product, if properly installed.

Now that we are only traveling 3 to 5 months a year we have the plug in portable unit with plastic lock box. It stays on the end of my power cord thus making the cord slightly more heavy to handle but is no big deal. Does the exact same thing for less than half the money of having their hard wired unit installed.
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Old 07-13-2017, 01:56 PM   #13
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Progressive hardwired on my challenger. Its has same me a couple of times.

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Old 07-13-2017, 02:06 PM   #14
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I use the portable SurgeGuard unit... I chain it to the power pedestal if concerned about it 'walking'.

In my rig, the hardwired version would be under the bed... Having been near a whole house surge suppressor when it 'gave its life' with a BANG as power came back on with a large surge following an outage - I had no desire to have that happen under my bed...

Many neighbors lost electronics and appliances that night... I replaced $100 surge protector with no other damage.

Brand and type are personal preference... but my advice would be to get one... and use it... Cheap insurance, and has already saved me in the RV on at least 2 occasions.
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Old 07-17-2017, 11:03 AM   #15
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I also use a permanent surge protector they are a must. They are easy too stall I installed mine after the shore/generator switch so I am covered on both circuits. Just make sure you size your wire correctly
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Old 07-17-2017, 11:59 AM   #16
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Sparky220, I was going to hook mine up that way too, but after calling Progressive about hooking it up they said to hook it up before the transfer switch not after so your expensive transfer switch is protected. They said that there is a minimal chance of your generator giving you an issue. I'm no expert but just going by what they said. Give em a call before hooking it up and see what they say.
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Old 07-17-2017, 12:16 PM   #17
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Sparky220, I was going to hook mine up that way too, but after calling Progressive about hooking it up they said to hook it up before the transfer switch not after so your expensive transfer switch is protected. They said that there is a minimal chance of your generator giving you an issue. I'm no expert but just going by what they said. Give em a call before hooking it up and see what they say.
I called Progressive and got the same response, hook up before the transfer switch. When I went to do my install access to the front side of the transfer switch was impossible without completely removing the switch and then adding an extension on the incoming wiring. After looking at the difficulties I ended up wiring in after the transfer switch. I figure either way I'm protected and that's the main idea.
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Old 07-17-2017, 12:54 PM   #18
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Ditto
I hooked mine up per their suggestion.... but I too thought it would be better to go downstream of the transfer switch.

I'm fairly strong with electrical stuff, having done quite a bit of work with high voltage and low voltage control system circuitry but I'm a mechanical guy and don't know the delicate stuff well so I figured they would know more about it than I do.

I didn't want to take a chance and fry the expensive protector!
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Old 07-17-2017, 01:27 PM   #19
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I also use a permanent surge protector they are a must. They are easy too stall I installed mine after the shore/generator switch so I am covered on both circuits. Just make sure you size your wire correctly


Sparky220, why do you say a permanent surge protector is a must? I use a portable one and chain it to the pedestal.
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Old 07-17-2017, 06:15 PM   #20
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In general the surge protector is a must portable or perminante. Also it was the thor dealer that advised to place the unit after the transfer switch
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