Surge Protection Advice

Topic: Surge Protection Advice (Read 1216 times) previous topic - next topic

Surge Protection Advice

December 02, 2018, 08:48:46 pm

I am about to bite the bullet and buy a surge protector. Is Progressive EMS PT 50X still the unit /brand of choice, or is there a latest and greatest new boy on the block? I had heard that there was a change of ownership, and non honoring of warranties for a while. Hopefully, for that amount of money, they have ironed that out. I still am concerned about theft of the pedestal type. What say you??

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #1 – December 02, 2018, 09:01:01 pm

I bought that unit about 6 months ago. No issues.

They honor the unconditional guarantee as long as you have the receipt.

Edited to add, the new style is designed to be a bit more secure. I do use a cable lock around the pedestal just for show. :+)

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #2 – December 02, 2018, 09:11:00 pm

I replace the transfer switch using the "Progressive Dynamics PD52DCSV Automatic Power Transfer Relay Switch", both coils are DC, full protection including high and low voltage along with generator protection. 99% a direct fit and hard to steal.
Steve

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #3 – December 02, 2018, 09:16:23 pm

I've had the Progressive portable 50A for 6 years had one fail. Progressive replaced it promptly no questions. I don't plug my coach in without it. As far as theft is concerned, I may be lucky but I have never locked mine up. Now with that said, I will plug the unit into the coach cord, then use my 50a extension cord to the pedestal. That way I can lock the unit in the bay.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #4 – December 02, 2018, 09:21:17 pm

I have the progressive 50 amp unit that is hard wired in under the bed, have had it since July... no problems so far. And no worries about theft. Not hard to hard wire in

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #5 – December 02, 2018, 09:30:45 pm

Have the Progressive 50 amp unit that is hard wired into the coach. Saved my bacon a couple of times. Would not plug a coach in without one.

Keith

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #6 – December 02, 2018, 10:17:20 pm

That model is second best for us. First is same company, same protection, but hard wired after transfer switch, which would eliminate well known theft issues and protect from generator high voltage problems we are seeing when voltage regulator starts to fail...

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #7 – December 02, 2018, 10:33:12 pm

I read that Progressive won't warranty the hard wired unit unless it is installed by an RV supplier?? If you install it yourself, does it void the warranty??

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #8 – December 02, 2018, 11:48:44 pm

I am a fan of the Surge Guard 34850 Portable Model. I have a locking cover for places that might not be to secure. I have never heard of one being stolen.
I like the portable for places like we are in tonight. You know the type place "just go find a space" I can test the power before moving the coach into position. One of the pedestals I tested tonight had a 50 amp receptacle but no 50 amp power. My Surge Guard has saved me way more money than it cost. One low voltage event can cost several times what the Surge Guard cost.
Bill

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #9 – December 03, 2018, 06:38:57 am

Back in '01, one of the first extras we had installed on our coach was the Progressive System. Dealer hardwired unit into our coach at a Great American RV Rally in Louisville, KY. Best decision we made as far as electrical protection! Would not have an RV without one. Personally, I like the hard-wired system. No muss, no fuss!

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #10 – December 03, 2018, 11:20:27 am

Get the Progressive. I like the pedestal mount because it protects the cable, also.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #11 – December 03, 2018, 12:45:39 pm

We had the Progressive portable on our 36 and an on-board on our 42.

Kind of like the portable as I could check voltage and stuff before I connected the coach.

Both units have worked well and have saved us from low and high voltage.

Had returned the portable twice and was replaced. No questions asked.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #12 – December 03, 2018, 02:01:56 pm

We have both. First the post model that had most but not all of the hardwired protection. Decided after reading an earlier post by Barry to hardwire just before main box. Protects from both sources. We use the portable to test post before hookup.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #13 – December 03, 2018, 02:48:10 pm

Have Hard wired (installed by Old Town). Stayed @ OTM for the night..unit would not "hook up"..They had a bad/mis-wired pedestal (bad/open neutral) !!!!

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #14 – December 04, 2018, 03:09:21 am

50 Amp 12,000 Watt Booster with Advanced Surge Protection | Hughes Autoformers

What about the new version of the Hughes?

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #15 – December 04, 2018, 09:37:53 pm

We have the old Hughes and a progressive unit. Plug one into the other. External. New Hughes seems to be both. Somewhat similar price?

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #16 – December 04, 2018, 10:06:50 pm

Surge is NOT over under voltage protection. All surge devices are over marketed and may offer little protection.

Hughes Autoformer can make usable out of unusable electric voltage, but is better saved for the few low voltage situations.

Both Hughes and Progressive Industries have Surge only devices, but neither will disconnect coach when voltage is too low or too high.

Only EMS devices have a circuit board that turns off electricity when voltage is low or high, ground is missing, neutral-hot swapped, neutral missing.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #17 – December 04, 2018, 11:45:02 pm

I had forgotten the difference between a surge device and a EMS. We have a autoformer and a progressive EMS.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #18 – December 05, 2018, 07:10:38 am

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – December 04, 2018, 10:06:50 pm

Surge is NOT over under voltage protection. All surge devices are over marketed and may offer little protection.

We have the Surge Guard portable and have used it for a couple years without issues. The benefit of the portable is that I just moved it from our fifth wheel to our Foretravel and no wiring involved.

From their website:

Protects against:

Power surges
Open ground
Open neutral
Low (<102V) and high (>132V) voltage
Overheating plug/receptacle
Reverse polarity
Miswired pedestal
High neutral current

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #19 – December 05, 2018, 10:46:19 am

I am still on the fence on this.

My coach, being a 2003, has built in under/over voltage protection, which will also protect from an Overheating plug/receptacle. A simple test of the socket will test for everything else on the list except for a power surge, usually a nearby lightning strike. And a surge protector only protects once, then is destroyed.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #20 – December 05, 2018, 05:16:55 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – December 05, 2018, 10:46:19 am

will test for everything else on the list except for a power surge, usually a nearby lightning strike. And a surge protector only protects once, then is destroyed.

We stay up in Payson, AZ during the summer monsoons and when I can see we have lightning strikes close-by, I unplug from the pedestal.

Re: Surge Protection Advice

Reply #21 – December 05, 2018, 08:57:15 pm

progressiveind | EMS-PT50X & PT30X MAIN

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