Yikes, 50 amp Surge Protectors!

[GD350M]

One other thing I forgot to mention, if you do the hardwire install of the 50amp unit, you will never have to worry about it not being enough if you plug into a 50 amp, 30 amp or even the 120 outlet. It protects against all shore power coming in.

[Hootie]

The Electrical management Protection system by Progressive protects over or under voltage. I do not know about other brands. I use the portable 50amp electrical management system by progressive. They do have just a surge protection system and it is cheaper than the electrical management system. Hootie.

[thompsjk]

Probably right that you would have difficulty running two A/C units on 30 amps.
A 50 amp connection actually provides more than 3 times the power available on a 30 amp connection.
This is because 30 amps is at 120 volts. 50 amps is at 240 volts = 100 amps at 120 volts.
This also explains why the 50 amp surge protector is twice the price of the 30 amp version.

Rob

That's not exactly how it works. On a 50 amp service you have two hots with 120 volt potential between each and the neutral. 240 potential between the two hots. But all loads are 120 volt so all loads on both hots need to return on the single neutral that is a 6 AWG that is rated at 50 amps. So the max is 50 amps at 120 volts. So it is only 20 amps more than a 30 amp. I have seen where large fifth wheels with three AC's that don't have a power management system melt the insulation on the neutral. When you spec out a Momentum with a third AC they requirer the power management system. Most manufacters put all three AC's on one hot leg and they tell you it will trip the breaker if you try to run all three. I have seen on some forums that people have figured out that they can move the breaker on one of their AC's and run all three but they are setting their selfs up to overload their neutral.

[Cate&Rob]

One neutral can be the return path for both halves of of the divided 240 V because they are exactly out of phase. What you describe, could only happen if both power post 50 amp breakers were wired to the same side of the 240 V source. This could send up to 100 amps in the same phase back through the neutral wire without popping either the RV or the post breakers. I wonder if the surge protectors are smart enough to detect this fault ?

[LCBoyer]

I always thought surge protectors were a big expense. A few years ago we lost our neutral leg on a 50 amp circuit. Cost me a control panel in my Refridge and furnace and a new microwave. Now I never leave home without one

[GD350M]

I'm torn between a hard wired unit, like yours, or a portable unit like the 30 amp one I have. PPL's has the portable unit on sale until 1/2 for $279. That's a great deal. I do worry about it being stolen but I have had my 30 amp portable unit for years and it's never been stolen. I think for $300 though it is a different deal and very tempting to a thief. Decisions, decisions. I think if I wait to save up some money and go for the hard wired unit. As I said, in the mean time I can just connect to the 30 amp outlet on the post and use my 30 amp surge protector.

I've never had a 50 amp RV so correct me if I'm wrong but the only thing I loose by connecting to 50 amp is running both A/C units at the same time?

Just saw this price on Camping World http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...otection/56420 and thought I should share with you as you were looking at the portable unit for the same price.

I do Recommend NOT cutting your existing 50-amp cord if possible. I disconnect the 4 wires from my RV elec panel, and connected the loose ends of these wires to the input side of the surge protector. Purchased a 3 ft. section of #6 wire from my local big box store to connect the output side of the surge protector to my RV electrical box. This allows me to remove the surge protector if I trade 5th wheels, and reconnect my original wiring. Love being able to monitor current draw from each leg of my 50A service from inside the 5th wheel with the provided remote monitor.

[SkiSmuggs]

How about this, Poppy? It is similar to the 30 amp that I've used for 2 years.
http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-In...v+50+amp+surge

[Specularius]

GD350M, did you find the wire Grand Design installed to be the hardest wire you ever worked with? It is like trying to bend solid steel!

[Paul & Deb]

Lot's of great input here. I would love the hard wired unit for ease of use and security. I guess when I get the rig next week I will take a look at how difficult the install would be and make my decision. As I've said, in the meantime I will run the 30 amp protector on a 30 amp outlet.

Love this place already.

[GD350M]

GD350M, did you find the wire Grand Design installed to be the hardest wire you ever worked with? It is like trying to bend solid steel!

I do find that AWG#6 wire is hard to work with all together. But it was a lot easier putting this unit in my Monentum then in my travel trailer. I was able to install mine behind the false wall in the storage compartment, before the transfer switch. They was a ton more room to work in there then in the TT, which was behind the breaker panel, in this small compartment that I couldn't even put the PI protector in the hole with the lid on. Had to do it after I put it in the hole. Lol. That was then, and I love having a 5th wheel. So much easier to work with.