We recently had a power outage and I think a surge. It was in the middle of the night so I might be wrong but I think the surge was strong enough to turn on a lamp briefly (I thought this would not be possible if the switch was off (well actually through a digital timer so not sure if it is physically disconnected or just through some electronics). Anyway, I think the lamp turned on briefly. This event may have affected one of my computers as well (perhaps just coincidence).

Anyway, I now have surge protectors in-line with all expensive electronics (computers, TV).

Question: I usually have cars on a battery tender because I don't drive much. Should I put these tenders on surge protectors as well? Or not necessary?

ETA: Trying to clarify the question in case I didn't write it well. All my electronics are on a surge protector now. My cars are on battery tenders. I'm wondering if the battery tenders should be on surge protectors (in case of power outages / surges) or if they are fine just being plugged directly into the wall outlet. Don't want to damage the tender or the car battery.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: konata88,

You could put battery UPS (maybe this is what you mean) on your more expensive items to protect, Computers, monitors, printers, any of that equipment, tv, cable boxes, xbox or gaming boxes, they would run on the battery which is supplied charging power so the surges never hit the devices since they run on clean battery power...

I would say to use a surge protector can't hurt.
The questions are: have you ever had surge issues that damaged equipment and what is the value of the equipment you are protecting.
FWIW, SP pricing can vary from cheap to expensive depending on the quality and amount of protection.
Still it is relatively cheap semi-insurance as they are not perfect but is it worth it?
Not a big deal unless the equipment is pricey, IMO.
Just weigh the cost vs benefit.

I got some APC (respectable brand?) surge protectors on sale - model was recommended in various online reviews.

I did have some electronics on what seems like older surge protection power strips. But I have no idea what the ratings are - they aren't labeled like the new APC. They just have reset buttons.

If the tenders get damaged, I think I could just buy a new one. If a surge passes through the tenders and damages the car battery and/or car electronics, that would be bad.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I got some APC (respectable brand?) surge protectors on sale - model was recommended in various online reviews.

I did have some electronics on what seems like older surge protection power strips. But I have no idea what the ratings are - they aren't labeled like the new APC. They just have reset buttons.

If the tenders get damaged, I think I could just buy a new one. If a surge passes through the tenders and damages the car battery and/or car electronics, that would be bad.

APC makes decent stuff. 2,000 Joules or higher rating for everything I really want to protect. Also, they're essentially a sacrificial item that degrades over time and usage... Alternatively, you could go the whole house route.

I am no expert but here is my 2c, I don't believe a surge to a battery tender would damage what is connected to it just the charger. the battery can absorb a spike and very little is really hot when the key is off.
2000 Joules for electronics like computers.
I had a surge from lightning and my computer was fine, but the modem that was not on the protector was cooked and had to be replaced.

I think my Battery Tenders have a inline fuse in the cord somewhere between the Tender and battery. I have the accessory cable that is wired to the terminals with the quick disconnect.
They are the GM/blade type.
They're not expensive and I'd invest in one of those before a surge protector.

They look like this.
https://www.amazon.com/2-Pin-B...inline/dp/B00CNVXLDW

As someone that "specs" a fair amount of breakers and fuses for equipment, the general rule is that they usually fail right after NOT fully protecting the downstream device. Much of fusing and breakers are sized to protect downstream wiring and prevent fires.

Some months ago I went down the rabbit hole of surge suppressors because we keep getting power blips here. It's an interesting subject and what surprised me is that the better surge suppressors use a different, more robust, kind of protection technology than the ones we see on the racks of Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc. Previously I thought it was all the same tech. and that the better/more expensive units just used more of it or bigger components. After a lot of reading I gained an at-the-time understanding of the differences between the methods and why one is better than the other - and also why the better method is more expensive to produce.

In the audiophile world, Zerosurge seems to be a well-respected product for surge suppressors. There are other companies that make similar gear using the same technology as Zerosurge but theirs is the name I remember -

https://zerosurge.com/products-2/

APC makes good quality products in general. We use them for our little point of use UPS and for power strips.

I wouldn't worry about the battery thing as much as the more expensive items like your microwave, stove, furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, or anything else that doesn't have a UPS/surge protector on it.

Your best bet is a layered approach with surge protector(s) at the main panel(s) then additional points of use surge protection at valuable electronics such as TVs and computers. The whole house protector will provide some protection for your appliances as well as blunting any surges that pass it. This will allow your point of use surge protection to have a better chance to save your valuable electronics since it's dealing with a smaller surge.

quote:

After a lot of reading I gained an at-the-time understanding of the differences between the methods and why one is better than the other - and also why the better method is more expensive to produce.

Their page didn't specify what they are using, the only thing I can think of is capacitor banks and filters vs using MOVs.

Do you remember what makes their products different?

I know a lot of the newer higher tech stuff uses non-degrading silicon diodes and custom filtering.

I put an APC on the Speed Queen washer. Good catch. I didn't think about that.

We've a whole-house surge suppressor. The computers and network hardware are all on UPSen.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

After a lot of reading I gained an at-the-time understanding of the differences between the methods and why one is better than the other - and also why the better method is more expensive to produce.

Their page didn't specify what they are using, the only thing I can think of is capacitor banks and filters vs using MOVs.

Do you remember what makes their products different?

I think I saved some of the links where I got some of the information. My bookmark filing system is worse than my paper one so it'll take me a while to find anything I might have saved.

I called Zerosurge and took up a lot of the reps. time asking questions. He was very patient and willing to share his knowledge and I wound up buying one of their units to use as a barrier between the outlet and the stereo and new tv.

I have a battery tender trickle charger that I’ve used for over 10 years now. Unprotected outlet.

I also run surge protection and power conditioning on most of my high-end electronics and musical equipment.

I’m sure that battery tender in the garage has seen many power dips drips brownouts outages and what not… Including being dropped on the concrete floor at least two dozen times. Keeps on ticking.

Thanks guys. New question (didn't want to start a separate thread for it).

We're having storms these days with possible outages / surges. I put my speed queen washing machine (with digital controls) on one of the APC surge protection power strips I have. I think it will work but it has too many outlets - wasteful.

I was looking at this Tripp Lite Isobar unit - direct plug into the wall. I'm not an expert so looking for some help:

1) Will this protect my speed queen?
2) Will the speed queen demand too much of it (probably not the computer control board but I'm not sure about the motor for the drum)?

Basically - is this good to go for a speed queen washing machine?

https://tripplite.eaton.com/is...-in-height~ISOBLOK20

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
You could put battery UPS (maybe this is what you mean) on your more expensive items to protect, Computers, monitors, printers, any of that equipment, tv, cable boxes, xbox or gaming boxes, they would run on the battery which is supplied charging power so the surges never hit the devices since they run on clean battery power...

The surge protection provided by a UPS is completely separate circuitry from the battery back up function. The surge protection is before the solenoid that controls if the device run of AC from the house or AC from the inverter connected to the battery. If a UPS didn’t have surge protection circuitry built in, the inverter/charger circuitry would fry in the event of a surge.

Devices plugged into a UPS will only run off the inverter/charger when the power is out. This is why using a UPS provides absolutely no protection from dirty power from cheap generators. In fact, dirty power from a cheap generator could fry the electronic circuitry in the UPS. When the power is on, the inverter/charger circuitry recharges the battery.

While point of use surge suppressors are fine about 10 years ago we started installing whole house surge suppressors in each of the 200 amp panels for the house.
Depending on the brand of the panel they are like this…

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Si...SA2020SPDP/202562776

Thanks. So with the whole house protection, I wouldn’t need pou surge protection? Or would still be advised to use them for double protection? It a big deal since I need multiple plugs anyway; just making sure need vs bonus.

After installing solar, I’m not sure if I have any slots in the panel left. Before I call an electrician, is the seiman product just an example? Or specifically what I would need and also the make and model you recommend? I’m familiar with seiman, square d, Eaton/Tripp Lite brands. But not sure what make and model to get for this product.

Thanks!

ETA: Question: when a surge occurs and this whole house device takes a hit, do I no longer have power to the house until the unit is replaced? Or I have power but just not protected for surges? Or is the unit reset capable - it trips then it works again.