Just Ask Mike: Surge Protectors
(J.A.M.): Watch Mike Sokol’s Hughes Power Watchdog Surge Protector review with Tony Barthel
Dear Mike,
What do you think about surge protectors? Is there really any difference between the $100 ones and the $300 ones? I’m a new RVer and keep getting all kinds of different opinions from my friends. —Julie
Dear Julie,
That’s a great question. And the answer is YES, you really do need an advanced surge protector – also called an EMS (Electrical Management System) or EPO (Emergency Power Off).
Campground power has been stretched beyond its original design limits, and many pedestals are poorly maintained. And since RVs are demanding more and more power all the time, it’s up to you to protect your RV’s expensive electrical system from bad things that can happen from poor power.
Failure at what cost?
Remember, it’s very easy to do many thousands of dollars in damage to the RV electrical system from over-voltage issues at a campground or a nearby lightning strike.
And even if you have a $500 deductible from your insurance company, it could take months to diagnose and get the parts for your repair. So you can easily lose an entire camping season you so carefully planned out.
So what do I need to know about a surge protector?
You’re in luck. Last year Tony Barthel from StressLess Camping “summoned” me (like a genie in a bottle) to his video podcast on advanced surge protectors. In the video I did a PowerPoint slide show detailing how surge protectors work. I also discussed operation of the Hughes Power Watchdog.
Watch this…
Just watch this video and you’ll learn the reasons why I believe that surge protectors are needed for ALL campground power, and why the advanced versions that can shut off power if the voltage gets too high or too low are preferred. There are equivalent advanced surge protectors from Progressive Industries and Southwire - Surge Guard, all of which do a great job of protecting your RV from campground electrical problems. Watch my interview with Tony by clicking on the picture above or HERE…
OK, everyone. Remember that electricity is a useful and powerful force, so we all need to pay attention to safety precautions while using it.
Let’s play safe out there…. Mike
Mike, I have a question in regards to daisy-chain surge protection. Both Southwire and Progressive Industries cannot answer this question with a reasonable technical explanation. Can you have two surge protection devices daisy-chained one after the other. Such as using a Progressive Industries portable SSP-50XL with 1650 Joules of surge protection plugged into the pedestal followed with a Southwire Surge Guard Transfer Switch model 40350-RVC which has 3350 Joules of surge protection?
Mike, great article/video. I have a Watchdog (50 amp ver) for my motor home. I love it's features including the white/red face on the device. I do have a question however. At some campgrounds I found the WD would through an error code E6 when the coach was attached but not when it was plugged in alone. Hughes replaced the unit but the same thing happened at the same CG. I began diagnosing the issue and found that when I turned off the power feed to the inverter/converter, at the CB panel, the issue went away. Unfortunately I need the I/C on as all the 120v outlets are pass through. Before I pay the freight to send the I/C back to Aims ( PICOGLF3K12050BY) is there anything else I should check. Again this does not happen at every CG just some.