Surge Protector model suggestions

[Rick Davis]

Sorry if this is addressed already in another thread, but I couldn't find anything on it.

But I am searching for suggested make and model of an electrical surge protector that I should buy. Like I told Randy, I am electrically dumb, and worse am scared of it, but seems like some time ago I read a thread that discussed a product that would let me test campground plugs and keep me from frying anything when plugged in. Suggestions?

[Rob Robinson]

Not long ago we had a group buy of Progressive Industries surge protectors model HW50C through Tweety's. Here's some links

http://www.tweetys.com/

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/

[Rick Davis]

Super. Thanks Rob.

[White Hat Guy]

Rick:

I have the Progressive Industries EMS PT 50-C Good insurance, portable, has a computer chip that records errors and is weather proof.

[Rick Davis]

Thanks Tommy. Just placed my order.

[Bill Pape]

We were part of the group BlueBird purchase, call Tweety they may still honor a discounted price, ( times are, tough especially in the RV business)

http://www.tweetys.com/

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm

This unit is internally installed, It will monitor all incoming power including the generator, the readout in far more accurate than the BB installed gages. Voltage can vary somewhat 108 to 128+, but the cycles ( Hertz) are critical, sometimes generator power will bog down and cycles are reduced, if there is a gennie problem, This unit will save your electronic gear and protect against surge, in addition to giving useful power management information.

[tulipvendor50]

The biggest difference between the portable model and the built in model would be - the portable model would not tell you if something is wrong with the cord, only the incoming power.
The built in model would tellyou if something is wrong all the way up to the power panel.

[gcyeaw]

The only problem I had with the built-in one is that I sold the coach, and now I have to spend the bucks again if I want one in my new coach.

It was a pretty good thing to have. I could monitor the voltage, amps and frequency on a digital display. If a campground voltage dropped too low it would disconnect. That way AC units would not strain and overheat due to low voltage. You could bypass it with a single switch to run less voltage sensative things if desired.

[Rob Robinson]

Originally Posted by Bill Pape

We were part of the group BlueBird purchase, call Tweety they may still honor a discounted price, ( times are, tough especially in the RV business)

http://www.tweetys.com/

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm

This unit is internally installed, It will monitor all incoming power including the generator, the readout in far more accurate than the BB installed gages. Voltage can vary somewhat 108 to 128+, but the cycles ( Hertz) are critical, sometimes generator power will bog down and cycles are reduced, if there is a gennie problem, This unit will save your electronic gear and protect against surge, in addition to giving useful power management information.

Bill Progressive did not recommend monitoring the genny power. I in fact did hook in the genny and found the system didn't work well with it. I disconnected it and rewired it so that only shore power was fed through the HW 50C. This has worked well for the last year.

[Bill Pape]

Originally Posted by Rob Robinson

Bill Progressive did not recommend monitoring the genny power. I in fact did hook in the genny and found the system didn't work well with it. I disconnected it and rewired it so that only shore power was fed through the HW 50C. This has worked well for the last year.

Yes, Rob this is a good point of concern.
I talked long and hard to Progressive , They would not make a commitment on the set-up with the Bird. I decided , that I wanted the generator power monitored. If it did not work I would have rewired it as you have, It is still a good unit, if only used on shore power, But it does work for us monitoring all power sources including the generator. It may be effected by the auto transfer switch or the generator manufacturer, or model type, Our FC has the three cylinder 8.0K Onan generator and the manual transfer switch. I also wanted to be able to monitor the 30amp yellow plug inputs , as I use these occationally .
Again all is OK with our set-up & recommend this surge protector.