Surge protection

[Hi yo silver]

I'm wondering what you guys are using for 50 amp surge protection.  In searching, the "Zapfreerv" webpage won't come up.  I let the smoke out of a satellite receiver and three thermostats last fall in Florida and don't want to do that again! I'm gettin' real good at replacing those expensive in-line thermostats, now if I can just master posting pictures on this board...But that's another topic.  Thanks
Dennis

[Zeroclearance]

I have a 50 amp Surge Guard Plus made by TRC

[Gary '79 5C]

Hi Yo Silver,

Last year when you inccured electronic failures in Fla, Were you connected to shore power ? If so, was it in a park ?

I have never used surge protectors, my belief is that a powerful enuff surge will blow thru the MOV's and still damage the electronics. I have just been lucky not to have had problems.

If you were on gen-set power, I would like to know more as I run the gen-set about 1-2 hrs/day when out for periods of time. Never been in a park.

Thanks and good luck,

Gary

[HighTechRedneck]

I use the surge protecting strips or cubes on everything sensitive that plugs in and don't have anything currently wired in.

As to the effectiveness of surge protectors - they are pretty effective in my experience.  About 10 years ago I remember a surge that blew several light bulbs and literally popped and smoked the little $4 cube type surge protectors but they saved the devices that were plugged into them (refrigerator, microwave, kitchen TV and clothes washer each had one).  The higher end strips protected my computers and entertainment center without damage to the surge protectors.

[Hi yo silver]

Gary, I had just plugged into shore power in a campground.  Marilyn came from the back of the bus and as she came into the front lounge, she smelled "marshmallows burning" and saw smoke.  I'm just proud I made it around the front of the bus, in the door, and up the steps in 2.7 seconds without cracking my head on the mirrors.  I turned off the shore power switch but the damage was done.  I first thought I just lost a power strip under the j-lounge, but the smell was from the receiver that's also under there.  I checked the power on the post, which was showing within the normal range.  I guess a momentary spike??  To protect those inline thermostats and everything else, I need something hardwired.
Thanks for the responses.  Any other suggestions?  Zeroclearance, do you have any more specific contact info re. your device? Thanks,
Dennis

[Stormcloud]

I installed an 'Intermatic Panelguard IG1240RC' on my home distribution panel. This protects everything connected to the panel.
http://www.intermatic.com/Default.asp?action=prod&pid=339
In addition, I still have various surge protection power bars on the sensitive equipment around the house.

I will be installing one of these permanent units on the bus panel as well.

Mark

[JackConrad]

We use a system built by EMS (energy management systems) that we purchased from John Palmer. When power is applied to the system it checks voltage and frequency before flipping the switch in the unit. It also constantly monitors the voltage and frequency. If either gets out of range, it automatically opens that switch, cutting off power to the coach and (hopefully) preventing any damage.  I will look in the coach later today (when it warms up) and see if I can find additional information information about it.  Jack

[Brian Diehl]

Jack, could you post a web link for this if you have it?  I did a quick google search and did not find it in my 5 seconds of looking.

[JackConrad]

   Here is a link to the company website www.progressiveindustires.net.  I have the model EMS-HW50C (50 amp version) with remote digital readout. In addition to monitoring the voltage and frequency, it also gives a readout of amp draw. Readout will be line 1 voltage, line 1 amps, line 2 voltage, line 2 amps, frequency, then starts over.  It also shows faults such as reverse polarity, line 1 (or 2) overvoltage, line 1 (or 2) undervoltage, open ground, low frequncy, hi frequency, etc.  Any of the faults will automatically shut down the system. It continmues monitoring the incoming power and when power is back within range, it will turn power back on, but show a PE (previous error) code to let you know why it had shut down.
    No financial interest in the company (except the m,oney we gave them for our unit), just a satisfied customer.  Jack

[Hi yo silver]

Thanks a lot, Mark and Jack! As always, I appreciate your help.  I'll look into these devices, I'm sure one of them will work for me.
Dennis

[WEC4104]

Hi Yo Silver,

I have never used surge protectors, my belief is that a powerful enuff surge will blow thru the MOV's and still damage the electronics. I have just been lucky not to have had problems.

You are probably right.  But even some of the inexpensive units come with guarantees.  Be careful to read the fine print, and at least if a surge destroys expensive computer or AV equipment you can turn in a claim to recover costs.

[FloridaCliff]

Jack,

I updated your link:

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/

Cliff

[rv_safetyman]

There have been quite a few threads on surge protection.  Two good ones are:

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3780.0

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=7097.15

The latter looks like a different subject, but I has a great technical reply by Sean Welsh (last post).

There are two issues here.  One is under/over voltage and the second is a power surge from some source (maybe a lighting strike nearby)

Some folks think that a surge protector like we use for computers will protect them.  As with most products, there are some cheap units that are worthless.  Even the best will not protect you from over or under voltage. 

I, like many folks, check the post very carefully before I plug in.  That does not help if the power quality changes AFTER we plug in.

In one of the above threads, Nick has made the point that good inverters will protect you from under and over voltage.  That may be true for all circuits that are wired through your inverter, but not for circuits outside the inverter circuits.  For example, most ACs are not wired through the inverter.

Take a look at the two threads I listed.  Some good information. 

If I had the money, I would get something like the Progressive unit (see Sean's comments in the second thread above)

Jim

[HighTechRedneck]

There are two issues here.  One is under/over voltage and the second is a power surge from some source (maybe a lighting strike nearby)

Some folks think that a surge protector like we use for computers will protect them.  As with most products, there are some cheap units that are worthless.

Most under/over voltage switches aren't fast enough to catch a surge. So unless it is specified as having substantial surge protection, it isn't protecting against surges.

As for the cheap end, I don't know about the cheap end of "whole house" surge protectors, but I do personally know, as I mentioned before, 4 out of 4 of those little $4 single outlet surge protector cubes sacrificed themselves and protected over $1500 worth of appliances.  And all of my computers and A/V electronics were protected properly by the higher quality outlet strip type surge protectors without damage to the protector.  That surge was serious enough that it blew several light bulbs and smoked one light switch that had neon illumination.

I don't advocate going the cheap route if you can budget doing it better.  But if the budget won't cover the good stuff, I wouldn't write off the little stuff as a waste of money.  The little cubes were similar to the ones sold at this site:  http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/28-5525  (I see they are $5 now)

[viento1]

Like Jack says,

I purchased the pr0gressive 30 amp unit. pretty slick. It is worth getting the remote option as it has an overide - for example, if the unit senses a low voltage scenario it will shut down before the autoformer has a chance to do its thing. I like the built in / hard wired stuff (as long as you have plan "B")