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Topic: Anyone using this Surge Guard Model 44290 or older Autoformer (Read 645 times) previous topic - next topic

Anyone using this Surge Guard Model 44290 or older Autoformer

Anyone using Surge Guard Model 44290?  Anyone using older Autoformer without surge protection, please post your experience with low voltage.

44290 offers 4,200 Joules of surge suppression at under $120 on Amazon.  Lights verifying pedestal power with indicators of power on or off, and over heat condition.  Tests for and indicates open neutral, open ground, missing L1 & L2,correct polarity, reverse line and ground.  I bought this specifically because it will not cutoff with low voltage and I already had an older Hughes Autoformer inside the wet bay.  I am using this 44290 on pedestal, and this model Surge Guard will not shut off with low voltage, allowing Autoformer to correct low voltage.

This is a newer model, first available March 2017, and so only 3 reviews so far on Amazon.  One person had issue with water.  I am curious if any FT owners have used this specific model 44290.  I have written to Southwire regarding this water issue and will post their reply.  I plan to use to protect until I can hard wire in a Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C.  At that time I would sell both Surge Guard and Autoformer as I feel comfortable using the 10K generator should I have low voltage from pedestal and have to run my A/C or recharge my batteries.

"Limited Lifetime Warranty Information
Any properly installed device that proves defective in normal use will be
repaired or replaced at Southwire's option"
"Surge Protection Feature
Surge Guard surge protectors are designed to sacrifice themselves in
order to save equipment connected to it. If your surge protector is not
allowing current to pass and/or the protection working LED indicator is
off, then your surge protector has performed its duty, protecting your
equipment, and the Limited Lifetime Warranty is void. You will need to
purchase a new unit to replace the expired unit."

Manufacturor's, Southwire, web info:  Surge Guard 50A - Model 44290 | Southwire RV

Amazon.com: Surge Guard 44290 Portable Surge Protector - 120/240V, 50A:...

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97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Anyone using this Surge Guard Model 44290 or older Autoformer

Reply #1 –
Jack,  from your product description, all those important features, other than surge are the same things that $8 plug in polarity testers offer.  Two of them would do the same job.    Electrical Receptacle Wall Plug AC Outlet Ground Tester with GFI Reset -...

Surge protectors are over-marketed with lots of technical words, and often not worth the product cost and may add little value.

The main component in surge protectors are inexpensive MOV's with limits that are better understood with these links.
Current Technology Surge Protection (TVSS/SPD) Part 1 of 2 - YouTube
What is a Varistor? - A Galco TV Tech Tip - YouTube
What is a Metal-Oxide Varistor and how it protects a drive | Galco Industrial...       

EMS units are not a replacement for Autoformers and vis versa. 
Our Hughes Autoformer saved us several times when our campsite/campground had low voltage during hot weather when we wanted to run our roof air conditioners.  Generator running was not allowed nor desired to be run 24/7.  BTW, changing campgrounds was not practical. 

Normally our Autoformer is stored away, but the few times we used it made it worthwhile to own it.  Autoformers increase low voltages within a limited range and do nothing for high voltages. 

When we use our Autoformer, we keep it secure & out of the weather in the locked bay, with a short cable to coach inlet, and a long extension to pedestal.  A hard-wired EMS could be easily installed (temp or permanent) the same way by adding male & female 50-amp pigtails to each end of EMS.

BTW, Autoformers widely used outside the RV world, called Buck/Boost transformers offer complete isolation, something Hughes does not do.
Buck and Boost Transformers - Larson Electronics


Re: Anyone using this Surge Guard Model 44290 or older Autoformer

Reply #2 –
I do plug the autoformer into the pedestal first then the progressive EMS into it.  Cable lock both to the pedestal. 

As EMS failures have been noted here building in the EMS while a better installation for security and weather could render the coach powerless same as a failed autoformer.

Our autoformer is the one without the user rebuildable surge protector.  They are somewhat local to me so I would take it in if it failed.

Perfect would be another internal EMS for the gen side I suppose but that failure is rarely posted.  Obviously possible...knock wood...

The EMS has the locking tab on the cord and the autoformer is in a substantial metal case.

While cutting the kryponite fine wire cable is certainly possible you would have to cut the main wire into the EMS and destroy the metal case for the aurofomer to steal it.

A heavy wire locking cage might be better security and a link type cable lock even better I suppose.

Will have to research that security combo now that I think about it.

I have had both units out in light rain but no frog drowners without issue. But a removeable cover for the proposed open wire box would seem to finish the job. 

Or just build it in. 

My rebuilt power watch show volts not on each leg and amps draw per leg already and the EMS shows per leg if I look.  No remote panel so far.

Always projects.  The Wicked never rest it seems
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: Anyone using this Surge Guard Model 44290 or older Autoformer

Reply #3 –
Thank you Barry, this is exactly the information I was looking for.  Your posts a month ago was what first impressed me about the EMS and got me to research and decide on the future EMS investment.
Progressive Industries EMS new owner problematic lifetime warranty support
and
Progressive Industries EMS new owner problematic lifetime warranty support

I already owned the Autoformer and have it wired to keep in the wet bay with the cord normally plugged into the pedestal having an adapter to plug into the extension cord at the rv end. I also then have a short 5' link cord to hook up the Autoformer to the rv.  This way I can use it, or not and not have to move it from the wet bay.  Progressive Industries EMS new owner problematic lifetime warranty support
I appreciate your post as it is exactly what I was looking for.  I will take the time to look at the links you posted.  I also may do as you suggested, "hard-wired EMS could be easily installed (temp or permanent) the same way by adding male & female 50-amp pigtails to each end of EMS" as you pointed out and as I've done with the Autoformer.

The primary reasons I bought this surge protector was 1) from my customers having issues with a surge taking out on board electronics, 2) it will tell me promptly if I have one dead leg on the pedestal, 3) the 4,200 joules rating appeared impressive compared to the 1,720 of the EMS, 4) I could start using it right away without any changes.  Last July 4th, I wasted a lot of time and was baffled by not being able to run my a/c at a campground, although my newly acquired FT's volt meter on the wall showed 118 volts.  Talked to the camp host to check and he told me it had a bad leg, so I used my 50 to 30 adapter and was able to run one a/c. The $8 plug you refer to, I have always plugged into the pedestal before hooking up my rv and it showed all was ok, although it was not (one of the two 120V legs was dead).

One other advantage to the trademarked EMS, is that when it fails due to a lighting strike it appears the warranty would cover that replacement where the Surge Guard 44290 would not.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan