On the RV forum I visit most recommend surge protectors for campgrounds. I had a fiver on a permanent site for years and never had an issue. Just wondered among the members here that have RV's whether or not they use an inline surge protector when they plug in. Thanks, Kevin

We use a Progressive Industries hardwired surge protector. Never seemed to have a problem, but it only takes one problem to ruin the entire electrical system on your unit. Money well spent for some peace of mind.
Lineman

I use a progressive protector as well. I had an issue at one campground during a lightning storm that blew out the protector.

I use a Progressive Industries EMS and surge protector. I've not yet had it prevent anything, but I have read of others in a group that I am part of having issues, and one had a board fried in their camper. Peace of mind, and way less than what the potential cost of fixing all the electronics in the camper could be.

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt-x

We have the Portable RV EMS, 50 amp version we plug in.

All the time, every time. If you travel at all you've seen some really sketchy looking, and acting, power supplies. It's just cheap insurance for what could be an astronomical repair.

I had kinda narrowed my search down to a Progressive EMS-PT30X. You guys have helped me decide to pull the trigger. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Krazeehorse:
I had kinda narrowed my search down to a Progressive EMS-PT30X. You guys have helped me decide to pull the trigger. Thanks.

Get the 50 amp with a converter for 30 amp.

Guys talk about that because typically less units on 50A circuits at the campgrounds. Makes sense. I would need two adapters as I only have a 30A outlet in the driveway. Plus I would assume there may be the occasion when a 50A site might not be available.

I would add that you should make sure the power pedestal breaker is off first. Then plug in just your surge protector and verify the owner is good, green light, then turn the breaker back off, plug in your shoreline to the surge protector, plug the surge protector into the pedestal and then turn the breaker on. Verify you still have a green light and you’re good.

quote:

Originally posted by BOATTRASH1:
I would add that you should make sure the power pedestal breaker is off first. Then plug in just your surge protector and verify the owner is good, green light, then turn the breaker back off, plug in your shoreline to the surge protector, plug the surge protector into the pedestal and then turn the breaker on. Verify you still have a green light and you’re good.

Sage advice!

I always use a combined surge protector/energy management system. It has identified pedestal problems at least twice. One was a bad breaker.
It has also shut down power when the voltage dropped to unsafe levels that would have damaged my air conditioning.

I also always use a high quality water pressure regulator. Have seen high pressure damage several campers. One had water coming out the doors when the pressure damaged internal pipes.

quote:

Originally posted by gaf:
I always use a combined surge protector/energy management system. It has identified pedestal problems at least twice. One was a bad breaker.
It has also shut down power when the voltage dropped to unsafe levels that would have damaged my air conditioning.

I also always use a high quality water pressure regulator. Have seen high pressure damage several campers. One had water coming out the doors when the pressure damaged internal pipes.

Another good piece of advice. I never had one on my fiver all those years. But a small investment to be safe for sure. I think I will go with the Valterra adjustable unit with gauge.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Krazeehorse,

I hook up the water through a pressure regulator and a charcoal filter. I turn the water off at night and if we go out for the day.
Also, when we get home I fill the water tank with water straight from the hose, no charcoal filter. The charcoal filter removes chlorine and your tank will end up stinking.

We have a 30A Hughes Watchdog EPO. It successfully shut off the shore power when a hair dryer was turned on with the water heater and A/C running. It also identified an open ground on my Honda genny.

I am looking at buying an RV surge protector as a gift. I know nothing about them. If I bought the 50 amp version, would 30 amp hookups also be able to be used with it, or is there something additional I would need to buy?

Yes. We used a 50A connected to the campsite box every time we hooked in. In addition, we had small protectors for each electronic device (TV, microwave, refrigerator, etc.). We lost 7 of those to a nearby lightning strike one time...when we were boondocking and not hooked to shore power.

quote:

Originally posted by L90814:
I am looking at buying an RV surge protector as a gift. I know nothing about them. If I bought the 50 amp version, would 30 amp hookups also be able to be used with it, or is there something additional I would need to buy?

You’d need a 50 amp male to 30 amp female “dog bone”. $10-$15. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/353717299547?hash=item525b31a95b:g:sxAAAOSw-cdhiTeC)
I carry one in case you stop and the only available hook up is 50 amp. Also there are typically less 50 amp units in a campground at any given time so the 50 amp circuits will have less drawing on them.

We turn the water off when we leave and now we check the faucets when we turn the water back on.

We came back from the beach, turned the water on to use the outside shower to rinse off. About 10 minutes later, my wife goes inside and starts screaming about water cascading down the stairs of our 5th wheel. I turn the water back off, investigate, and find the drain stop in the bathroom sink closed. The sink is full and water overflowing as the sink is just a bowl with no overflow drain like a normal house sink.

One of our kids washed his hands after the water was turned off and there was just enough pressure to rinse. He didn't bother to turn the faucet off after the water stopped running.

I should get a surge protector.

I have a 150 gal fresh water tank in my Motorhome. I fill it, work off it, and refill if getting low and turn off the water pump when water is not needed. I only hook to a outside source to refill the tank. Too many horror stories about plumbing leaks not detected for long periods of time while campers have there water hooked up to outside sources and not turned off when they are not present.

As far a power protectors, I favor the Hughes units and 50 amp.