installation of a surge protector

[pjdemasky]

I am looking to install the Progressive Industries EMSHW50C Surge Protector with a remote.
Solitude 375RE

Can you tell me where the main power is so that I can install the unit?
I intend on putting the remote where the main switch panel is?

 

[GDRV Service]

I am looking to install the Progressive Industries EMSHW50C Surge Protector with a remote.
Solitude 375RE

Can you tell me where the main power is so that I can install the unit?
I intend on putting the remote where the main switch panel is?

Hi Paul & Jodi (@pjdemasky),

Please refer to our post, in this thread: http://www.granddesignowners.com/fo...MS-surge-protector?highlight=surge+suppressor

If you are purchasing an aftermarket RV surge suppressor, we recommend using a portable style rated for 50 amps (where one end of the RV surge suppressor is plugged into the correctly rated 50 amp NEMA 14-50 RV external power source receptacle first, and then you plug your 50-amp RV shore line power cord into the other end of the RV surge suppressor). We do not recommend you hard-wire aftermarket electronics to, or modify the electrical system in your RV.


As stated in the Electrical Systems section of your owner manual, "Because the electrical equipment and associated circuitry are engineered into a dedicated system specific to your RV, we recommend you do not make unauthorized changes or add fixed appliances to it. Changes or additions made after delivery may result in a hazardous condition."


Please feel free to contact our Customer Service department directly at (574) 825-8000 if you have further questions.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[pjdemasky]

There are times where I am using my 50-30 pig tail witch attaches to the coach and then use a 30amp cord to the supply. I would still want the protection though

 

[Cate&Rob]

The portable 50 amp Surge Protector can still be used with a 30 amp supply.
Plug the 30 to 50 adapter into the post, the Surge Protector into the adapter and your 50 amp cord into Surge Protector.

I'm not advising portable over built in . . . just noting that either 50 amp unit will also work on a 30 amp service.

Rob

 

[Dave and Monica]

The portable 50 amp Surge Protector can still be used with a 30 amp supply.
Plug the 30 to 50 adapter into the post, the Surge Protector into the adapter and your 50 amp cord into Surge Protector.

I'm not advising portable over built in . . . just noting that either 50 amp unit will also work on a 30 amp service.

Rob

One of the problems with using a 50A portable surge protector is that should be plugged into the post directly or by using a 50 to 30A adapter. This means that you always have to use the 50A cord to the camper whether you're on a 50A or 30A site. We more frequently are on a 30A site and I use a 30A cord (I carry 75 feet) and a 30 to 50A locking adapter at the camper and a hard wired 50A EMS.

Dave

 

[RamGunner]

The portable units are also much more susceptible to theft. A hard-wired version is really the best option. Has the factory given any thought to offering these pre-installed?

 

[pjdemasky]

The portable 50 amp Surge Protector can still be used with a 30 amp supply.
Plug the 30 to 50 adapter into the post, the Surge Protector into the adapter and your 50 amp cord into Surge Protector.

I'm not advising portable over built in . . . just noting that either 50 amp unit will also work on a 30 amp service.

Rob

Rob,

Thank you the suggestion, but I am trying to avoid pulling out the 50 amp cord unless I need to because of using both a units or the length to the post.

I have a 50-30 twist lock that attaches to the coach and the using a 30 amp cord to the post.

Using this setup with portable would require me to have both a 30 amp and a 50 amp portable surge protector.

I am pretty handy and perform most of my improvements my self.

I am trying to understand where the added hazard is that GOD is concerned with. Properly rated cable and surge protector (8 screws for wire and 2-4 for mounting the device.

Markup on labor and equipment is unreal.

Thanks, Paul

 

[JustinThyme]

Working for one of the worlds largest manufacturers of electrical apparatus from high voltage transformers to panel boards and enterprise UPS systems and surge suppression I can readily understand GDs concerns. Firstly not every RV owner is trained and qualified to make modifications to an electrical system, more often they are not. Secondly and even more importantly is the design of surge suppression. They are comprised of components meant to dissipate the surge before it enters your protected equipment. The means in which they do this, depending on the amplitude of the surge, can be violent and if installed in the panel of your RV result in a fire hazard. Having seen more than one surge suppression system react violently I would never put it inside my RV.

 

[offtohavasu]

Good info Justin!

 

[james quinn]

Rob,

Thank you the suggestion, but I am trying to avoid pulling out the 50 amp cord unless I need to because of using both a units or the length to the post.

I have a 50-30 twist lock that attaches to the coach and the using a 30 amp cord to the post.

Using this setup with portable would require me to have both a 30 amp and a 50 amp portable surge protector.

I am pretty handy and perform most of my improvements my self.

I am trying to understand where the added hazard is that GOD is concerned with. Properly rated cable and surge protector (8 screws for wire and 2-4 for mounting the device.

Markup on labor and equipment is unreal.

Thanks, Paul

Using something like the Furrion Adapter at the coach (see link) then the 50A surge protector, then a simple 50-30A adapter would allow you to use a 30amp cord. Furrion adapter is quite expensive but there must be a cheaper option out there somewhere. This would also keep the surge protector a little closer to the coach to reduce chance of theft.

http://furrion.com/product/marine-s...25v-m-pigtail-adapter-wpowersmart-led-yellow/

 

[GDRV Service]

There are times where I am using my 50-30 pig tail witch attaches to the coach and then use a 30amp cord to the supply. I would still want the protection though

Hi Paul & Jodi (@pjdemasky),

Main power can be traced in the front pass-through storage area behind the felt panel boards. Just remove screws to gain access.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[pjdemasky]

Hi Paul & Jodi (@pjdemasky),

Main power can be traced in the front pass-through storage area behind the felt panel boards. Just remove screws to gain access.

Best regards,
~ Janice

Janice,

Thank you for the info. I have ordered a different pigtail and a portable protector. I will give this a try, as I would prefer to have the unit protected when we go out on its maiden voyage and I don't have the time to hard-wire properly this week.

Thanks again, everyone has been very helpful.

~Paul

 

[Cate&Rob]

We bought our Surge Protector while travelling . . . so didn't really have the alternative of hard wiring it in.
I probably would have chosen "built in", but the insight by JustinThyme gives pause to reconsider.

We also bought the Surgeguard plastic box to "lock" the unit to the end of our power cord.
In hindsight, this was probably a waste of money . . . but again, the only option at the time.

After getting home, I had my local marine rigger fashion me a stainless cable to secure the unit to the post.
It has a short loop for small posts and a longer one for larger posts. Cost me $5.



Rob

 

[james quinn]

We bought our Surge Protector while travelling . . . so didn't really have the alternative of hard wiring it in.
I probably would have chosen "built in", but the insight by JustinThyme gives pause to reconsider.

We also bought the Surgeguard plastic box to "lock" the unit to the end of our power cord.
In hindsight, this was probably a waste of money . . . but again, the only option at the time.

After getting home, I had my local marine rigger fashion me a stainless cable to secure the unit to the post.
It has a short loop for small posts and a longer one for larger posts. Cost me $5.

View attachment 1741

Rob

Rob,

Are you using your 50A cord then ? If you're using a 30A cord with the 50A surge then your cord could melt before the breaker trips no ?

 

[Cate&Rob]

Are you using your 50A cord then ? If you're using a 30A cord with the 50A surge then your cord could melt before the breaker trips no ?

In four months of travel, we only found one site where the OE 50A cord would not reach the post. Did have to keep an eye on this when choosing where to set up on the site. In that one case it was a 30A service and we went 30A cord to adapter to 50A surge protector to 50A cord to RV. The whole arrangement protected by the 30A breaker on the post. If there had been a surge, the 30A cord would not be protected, but everything beyond the surge protector would be.

BTW, our "surge" protector has shut us down twice . . . both times for LOW voltage. Once on a 50A service (one leg low) and once on a 30A service, which it reads as both legs low.

Rob

 

[james quinn]

In four months of travel, we only found one site where the OE 50A cord would not reach the post. Did have to keep an eye on this when choosing where to set up on the site. In that one case it was a 30A service and we went 30A cord to adapter to 50A surge protector to 50A cord to RV. The whole arrangement protected by the 30A breaker on the post. If there had been a surge, the 30A cord would not be protected, but everything beyond the surge protector would be.

BTW, our "surge" protector has shut us down twice . . . both times for LOW voltage. Once on a 50A service (one leg low) and once on a 30A service, which it reads as both legs low. Good point about frying the 30A cord though; I've been trying to figure out how to have surge protector at the trailer instead of the post for security but you have brought up a valid point. The low voltage shut down is interesting to and since I use 30A mostly, it may be more of an issue for me. I need a two for one sale !!

Rob

I do a lot of provincial parks and state parks and 30A seems to be the norm. If these things weren't so damn costly I'd just buy a 30 AND a 50 !!

 

[Cate&Rob]

I do a lot of provincial parks and state parks and 30A seems to be the norm. If these things weren't so damn costly I'd just buy a 30 AND a 50 !!

James,

You bring up a good point, that I never really thought about . . .
On a Reflection 303 with one AC, we really can't come close to using 100 amps. (50A 240V).
Every post with a 50A outlet has a 30A outlet.

It might have made more sense to get the cheaper 30A surge protector and always use the lighter 30A cord . . .
Hmmm . . . .

Rob

 

[CManley]

Amazon has the Progressive 30 amp listed for $269 and the 50 amp at $330 not much of a difference. I have yet to purchase, what's the right answer.

 

[JustinThyme]

There is nothing that says you cant use the 50A surge suppressor with a 30A cord. You are protected by the breaker in the shore power feed. The only difference in the two would be the connections of course and the rating of the conductors. Dollar to a dime you dissect the two and the internal components are identical. I can only speak for myself of course but I would go for the 50A so you only have to do it once and you are covered. Unless you never intend to use a 50 amp connection.

 

[lawdes]

50A will work with 30A cord/service, so long as the 30A adapter jumpers across both lines. I've talked to a couple dealer service shops and they all use the 50A for all their trailers when in the shop, with both 50A and 30A systems. If adapters are not wired correctly, ie: jumpered across both lines, they will not work, and will shut down power since one line will be reading 0. Just bought a fixed Surge Guard Unit, but some of these comments about interior units have me a llittle concerned. I do have the portable unit, so think for now will use that. Like others, I have a 50A (locking) to 30A pigtail, use a 30A cord to post. To use portable unit, will need to also use two more adapters for the unit, one for input on 30A post, and one for output to 30 A cord, then the adapter at the coach. Whew, lot of adapters...may have to rethink again!!