Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Surge Protector only good for 50A? (Read 607 times) previous topic - next topic

Surge Protector only good for 50A?

The last week in June of this year Dave and Charlene Smolik were here for a visit. I was the recipient of a very nice surge protector from them, and I thank them for it.
Now, my question. Does a 50A surge protector also protect a 30A hookup to the coach?
Here is what we have here at the house.
30A at the house but outlet box is a 50A female. Box is only wired for 30A.
So I plug a 50A male into the box but the other end is a 30A female.
Then I run my 30A cord over and up into the engine compartment.
There I plug a 30A male into the 30A female end of the 15' cord.
Other end is a 50A female.
The surge protector plugs into that 50A female.
Output end of the surge protector is 50A.
A 50A male plugs into the surge protector.
Other end is the 50A plug that twists into the coach.
I don't have to have the surge protector out on the power pedestal  or lock it on with chain.
All the 30A to 50A or 50A to 30A adapters are not any longer than 2' and the 30A cord is about 15' long.

Confusing??? Yup!! But it works! (I think)  The indicator lights function.
Been using this setup--without the surge protector--for about six years.
Most, if not all, of the CGs up here are 30A but no option for 50A. Guess it must be that it is cooler on average than down south. Also, not many rigs are wired for 50A, seeing as how they are weekend warriors.
I could use our 50A cord directly to the coach after the surge protector. BUT, did you ever try to coil up 30' of 50A wire when it is cold outside? NOT EASY!!
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Now, my question. Does a 50A surge protector also protect a 30A hookup to the coach?
What is the Brand and Model of the surge protector?
Did the "gift" come in a box?
Did the box have a Instruction Sheet?
What does the Instruction Sheet say?
If the surge protector works for 30A and 50A, it should be clearly stated in the Instructions.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #2 –
It works I use my portable progressive 50 amp on ANY outlet I plug into 20,30, 50. If where a hard wired unit any power would go through it. Keep in mind all those plugs you are going through have to potential for voltage loss.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #3 –
Guess I have to ask Dave.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #4 –
I have a 50amp  portable Progressive EMS. Mine works with 50, 30 and 110.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #5 –
Progressive Industries Surge protector Model SSP-50XL
I just went out and changed a "few" things to eliminate  connections.
Now I plug my 16' 50A extension cord into the house, then plug the surge protector into the 50A cord, then plug a 6"long  50A cord with the 50A male into the surge protector, then plug the 50A other end--the push in and twist clockwise connector into the coach.
Got rid of three connections and all 30A adapters. Now everything from the 50A female outlet (but only wired 30A) in the box on the side of the garage to the plug in in the coach is all 50A. ^.^d
With the surge protector in the engine compartment it is like it is "permanently" wired in. No worries about theft, locking on a pedestal, weather, etc.
I don't think the 50A 16' long cord would suffer any catastrophic damage if there was a surge at a 30A outlet in a CG up here.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #6 –
Just be aware that the SSP models are surge protectors only.  They do not protect against over/under voltage conditions.

FAQ | progressiveind
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #7 –
Do we still need to know if it came in a box,think all we needed was the make and model to begin with.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John44 –
Do we still need to know if it came in a box,think all we needed was the make and model to begin with.
Nitehawk posted his is a "Progressive Industries Surge protector Model SSP-50XL

Also, since we are talking about surge protection, I thought you might want to concider watching this short video on whole house surge protection.  After watching it I'll be also buying some quality UL approved surge protection, at the appliance.

At this time I'd also like to remind readers of this thread, the importance of not only surge protection, but also protection from low and high voltage, miswired supply, open neutral or ground, reversed polarity, and the value of having the power turned off by such devices made by Progressive Industries, their EMS, or theHughes Power Watch Dog. Many devices such as the Progressive Industries Surge protector Model SSP-50XL do not give you this protection.  They indicate a problem, they do not disconnect the power.

https://youtu.be/fGpOwUAJ16c
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: Surge Protector only good for 50A?

Reply #9 –
Yes, your surge will protect your coach.

You are only using one of the two hot wires from the house outlet box. There is no connection to the other hot wire from the house outlet box, after the 30A female on the first long cord.

A surge protector has minimal use in a campground where voltages can drop below 109 volts or are incorrectly wired. Surge protectors tend to protect against lightening and usually use of inexpensive MOV devices to try to shunt high voltages to ground by self-destructing.

Surge protector are over marketed and over promoted and may help in some situations in a stick home where voltages are stable. Campgrounds need over-under voltage protection in addition to surge protectors.