RV surge protectors- wired vs post mounted, and modifying a post mounted one?`

[BewareTheLamb]

I've had to replace three EMS units.

Sorry to hear that. I hope they successfully protected your equipment. What are the details on the needed replacements (brand, model, failure type, ... )?

 

[Laurie 1799]

I mounted our readout at the end of the hutch so it could be seen when coming in the door.

I have the same. Readout mounted in the same location. I prefer the permanently mounted, always there, one less thing to do. Mine has a 2 minute delay when you first plug in, it checks all the perameters before it turn the power on.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Sorry to hear that. I hope they successfully protected your equipment. What are the details on the needed replacements (brand, model, failure type, ... )?

I had two of the early SurgeGuard EMS units, the long rectangular ones. Both failed due to water intrusion, and that was caused by poor sealing O-rings. The first one was replaced under warranty, and the second one was replace with a Hughes WatchDog, which didn't really fail but a bad plug led to it being replaced. I had a spare that I got with my new-to-me trailer, which was another Hughes WatchDog. It's going strong so far.

 

[JKellerJr]

I went the Hybrid route. Semi permanently mounted post mounted units. Seen some fail even though the electrical was fine.

This way I can bypass it if needed.

 

[ScottK]

FYI - here is an inexpensive 30Amp surge protector that checks wiring: Amazon.com
It's all you need with a Victron Multiplus.

 

[dryfly]

I've had to replace three EMS units. It would have been a major chore to empty the basement storage, take down the wall, and wire around a permanently mounted EMS. On the other hand I've never had an issue with the possible shortcomings of a pole mounted EMS. So, thank you for your advice, but I'll stick with what works for me.

I don't blame you, and that's one of many "conveniences" of the pedestal mounted EMS units. And I suspect there will always be more of them sold than the hardwired units. They work and they require no installation.

Most folks never have an issue with the pedestal mounted versions, however it does not negate the fact that the points that @Jomani made are what make the hardwired units the most effective in protecting the trailer's electrical system. But I agree, like many accessories, they may not be for everyone.

 

[quiglenj]

I use a post mounted EMS from Hughes. And one of the benefits to me it is easy to grab and test the park power at the site before we get to far into setting up. Don't need to drag the cord out to do this simple test if we had a hard wired unit.

 

[Gru]

This is a debate that happens on virtually every RV forum out there - pedestal vs. hardwired. Yes, the pedestal version of a quality EMS will catch most electrical problems that occur before the power cord and hopefully trip in the event of a major surge. The only problem is that, more often than not, the power cord itself contributes to power issues.

Since one of the biggest issues, especially at older parks is low voltage (a silent killer of many RV appliances and components), you would want that EMS to be sampling the power as close to your breaker panel as possible. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a corroded or burned plug that was not detected by a high priced EMS simply because the problem occurred downstream from the EMS. The voltage sampled by the pedestal EMS could be acceptable, however, the high resistance that was created by the bad connection in the plug can result in a significant drop in voltage as measured at the breaker panel.

Electrical adapters (dog bones) and extension cords all add resistance to the circuit, and all will drop the incoming voltage some, depending on the current draw. These things all eventually wear out - contacts become loose or corroded, wires break from bending and straightening. If you are vigilant about inspecting and maintaining electrical cords and adapters, you will most likely never have a problem with either type of EMS.

Honest question here...if you are worried about the drop in voltage from the cord, why not plug the EMS into the trailer after the extension cord? Plug cord into pedestal, EMS into cord then the trailer plug. I have never seen this done as everyone appears to plug their EMS directly into the pedestal...just wondering if it would make any difference

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Honest question here...if you are worried about the drop in voltage from the cord, why not plug the EMS into the trailer after the extension cord? Plug cord into pedestal, EMS into cord then the trailer plug. I have never seen this done as everyone appears to plug their EMS directly into the pedestal...just wondering if it would make any difference

Don't see why you couldn't do this.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Honest question here...if you are worried about the drop in voltage from the cord, why not plug the EMS into the trailer after the extension cord? Plug cord into pedestal, EMS into cord then the trailer plug. I have never seen this done as everyone appears to plug their EMS directly into the pedestal...just wondering if it would make any difference

You'd either have to add a twistlock to the EMS, but then you'd have the weight of the EMS hanging from the socket, which I wouldn't care for. Or you'd have to add an extension cord with a twistlock, which would give you another point of contact, and I think the fewer the better. And you'd have to take into consideration the twistlock on the power cord. This, of course, presupposes that your trailer uses the twistlock system. This may be a KISS situation.

 

[trailrydr]

I went the Hybrid route. Semi permanently mounted post mounted units. Seen some fail even though the electrical was fine.

This way I can bypass it if needed.

This is similar to the setup I plan on doing too.

On mine, I want to place some swing-out moveable 2x4 support on the basement "material" wall behind the Nautilus, cutout a opening in the material wall attached to the new 2x4's moveable support, mount the plugin type Watchdog face flush mounted between the 2x4's for visual inspection when tending to the pass-thru area for tank draining etc.

Btw, I do believe they make wall mounting brackets that fit the plugin style Watchdog unit.