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Topic: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF? (Read 881 times) previous topic - next topic

Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

I see Surge Guard Portables on sale from time to time. My hesitance to purchase one is the weather/moisture exposure a unit like this would live in. My other concern would be theft.

Has anybody here mounted one INSIDE the protection of the coach ( not talking about the inside only mounting surge guard)?
If possible, any wiring schematics of how you run your adapters or shore power cables?
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #1 –
Most have built in rings on the wiring to run acable lock thru,and covers to keep water out,don't see a problem,go to Amazon
and look them up and start reading reviews and do what makes you happy.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Jeff & Sandy –
We use a Progressive portable.
It is definitely weatherproof. We use a cable lock to secure it when we feel it's necessary.
We also use a Progressive EMS-PT50C (earlier version).  It's been hanging outside unprotected every day for going on 9 years.  Apparently weatherproof.  Still works fine.

BUT, Lon is asking opinions about a Surge Guard (capital letters) device.  Surge Guard is a specific brand.  It doesn't answer his question if we talk about other brands.

Have any members used a Surge Guard in the manner posited in the first post?  Hanging outside, has it proven weatherproof?  Or, have you somehow connected the device inside a bay out of the weather?

Surge Guard RV Power Protection | Southwire RV

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 Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #4 –
I bought the inline version and mounted it in the coach between the ATS's and output to the breaker boxes.  You can see it to the right of the back of this compartment.

Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #5 –
I guess our 1989 GV with the rear radiator is the simplest solution of all.
Walk down the driver's side of the coach, look thru the louvered door just forward of the rear bumper and there it lays!! All hooked up and inside. A simple adapter to twist into the coach outlet. Plug the surge protector into the adaptor. Plug the 50A cord into the protector.
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 Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
We also use a Progressive EMS-PT50C (earlier version).  It's been hanging outside unprotected every day for going on 9 years.  Apparently weatherproof.  Still works fine.

BUT, Lon is asking opinions about a Surge Guard (capital letters) device.  Surge Guard is a specific brand.  It doesn't answer his question if we talk about other brands.

Have any members used a Surge Guard in the manner posited in the first post?  Hanging outside, has it proven weatherproof?  Or, have you somehow connected the device inside a bay out of the weather?

Surge Guard RV Power Protection | Southwire RV



I missed that, sorry about that Lon.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #7 –
Lon, recommended method for portable expensive shore power devices like your surge guard, Autoformer, etc:

Use a 50' 50-amp EXTENSION cable that has its female end locked in bay compartment or engine area. Did this every time we used our Autoformer.

Engine area has the advantage of having a longer reach at campsites when power pedestal is a distance from rear of coach.

Plug portable device in secure area, then plug the standard shore cable into the device. All connections are locked and out of the weather. This works fine if the coach has an electric reel.

Our coach does not have a reel and uses SmartPlugs. Most of the time we locked things in the water / SmartPlug compartment and used a 3' shore cable that we made up from a dryer/range pigtail bought from Lowes, etc.

50' extensions can be bought (expensive) or made from mobile home power cord (less expensive, add female end). Sometimes mobile home power cables are low cost when mobile homes are being torn down or replaced.

It is always helpful to carry a 50-amp extension, just like carrying spare sewer & water hoses for those many times services are too far away. Our coach has multiple electric, sewer, & water extensions.

BTW, we are fortunate that Foretravel has shore connections in a locked compartment. Always wondered if any RVers with outside 50-amp inlets, ever came home to find that someone borrowed their shore cable. Also, those outside connections are in the weather.

We are aware that SurgeGuard is a brand with many different models.

But any device that is only surge protection and DOES NOT turn off service if wiring is defective or voltages are too low or too high, is not worth the price and will NOT protect coach from campground anomalies.

Always buy devices that check for over & under voltage including 240-volts when there should be 120-volts, hot-neutral reversed, missing ground.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
I bought the inline version and mounted it in the coach between the ATS's and output to the breaker boxes.  You can see it to the right of the back of this compartment.


Keith got me one also and installed at the end of the bed. In same location. ATS and breaker. Again thank you
Will also fault generator👍👍
Cons. It takes a minute once powered up to participate. AC's also take a additional minute. Seems like forever in the summer time with DW saying she is hot! I purchased several separate AC panel mount switches that are planned to be hard mounted on each leg and visually show how the transfer progression is going. Would also indicate if and were its hung up or incorrect at a glance. They also have a remote fault indicator i would also like to have. Optional remote power monitor LCD display (Part number 40300 sold separately)
Amazon.com: Surge Guard 40300 Optional Remote LCD Display for Hardwire Model...
I'm very please with its operation other than time to power up.
Scott
Similar
AC Voltmeter Digital LED Display Voltage Meter Panel 2 Wire Mini Voltage...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dsd –
Again thank you
They also have a remote fault indicator i would also like to have. Optional remote power monitor LCD display (Part number 40300 sold separately)

Your welcome Scott!  I have the remote monitor now too.  One of our trips to AZ, we are stopped at Bearizona with the dogs in the coach and I couldn't get it to pass power from the generator to run the AC's.  I saw the fault light, but could not tell why.  After 3 start/stop sessions, it finally worked.  Ordered the display when I got home.  Connects with a phone cable so I just put some velcro on the back and stuck it to the breaker panel cover.

Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #10 –
I only bring this question up because now and then I see them advertised for sale on WOOT.com Surge Guard Southwire Surge Protector

My first choice would probably be the Hughes unit.
I have two 50 amp cords, 30' cord and a 25' cord. they are not permanently mounted.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #11 –
I continue to find it strange that over many years SurgeGard continues to not safely protect wires by enclosing the 50-amp cable connections. Can't imagine seeing this unit mounted under bed with out fully enclosed connections. It feels like they are not code compliant by not having the connections enclosed. I have always rejected their products because of the 'oversight'.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #12 –
BTW, we and others have a strong preference for Progressive Industries EMS brand and model.

Understand some do not want hard wired models.

We find hard wired have advantages including remote display panel with very valuable information continuously displayed (amps & volts for each leg, frequency, fault) and an important bypass switch.

Our coach has two hardwired EMS, one on shore cable to protect coach, transfer-switch, and generator FROM outside faults, and one after transfer to protect coach FROM transfer switch, generator & outside faults.

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
I continue to find it strange that over many years SurgeGard continues to not safely protect wires by enclosing the 50-amp cable connections. Can't imagine seeing this unit mounted under bed with out fully enclosed connections. It feels like they are not code compliant by not having the connections enclosed. I have always rejected their products because of the 'oversight'.

I agree with you. This is not a safe way to have it.  I looked and they are UL listed but those connections should be in a box. Not out in the open.  Going to do more research on this.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
I continue to find it strange that over many years SurgeGard continues to not safely protect wires by enclosing the 50-amp cable connections. Can't imagine seeing this unit mounted under bed with out fully enclosed connections. It feels like they are not code compliant by not having the connections enclosed. I have always rejected their products because of the 'oversight'.
Got to love the Forum. So Ive always been around equipment that could Kill you and it genuinely is a oversite on my part. I will install plastic guards over the terminals. They are in what I would call a equipment bay , but it is inside the coach and however unlikely that anyone would short out I DO AGREE. Covers going on tonight. I have some 3/32 plastic sheet and will bend up a couple of covers and tyrap to secure to prevent shorting out terminals. Great insight, Thanks
Scott

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #15 –
Surge Guard has saved us several times over the years.    One night the AC quit so I got out of bed and went to check the pedestal to find out both legs had a severe over voltage problem.    I'Ve always had more concern about under voltage and we have run into that as well as bad grounds. 

Our coach has one built in but I still use the old pedestal one every where we park including at home. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #16 –
We've had a surge guard for 2.5 years hanging at the pedestal. Never an issue as far as weather is concerned.
Sometimes we lock it up using a cable but if someone really wants it .....
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Surge Guard Portable 50amp. WEATHER PROOF?

Reply #17 –
I made a two part cord out of one of my 25' cords.  Using now a 12' section, I can usually hook up to the park, and then plug in the Progressive laying loose inside, and then the other 13' section hooks to the inside Marinco wall plug.  So almost all the time the Progressive is hidden inside the service bay.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)