I have seen some high end motorhomes come from the factory with surge protection built into the automatic transfer switch. Often the ones with RV CAN Communications built in. The downside to that is that they are much more expensive to replace if the ATS goes bad.
Good article. My guess is since the surge protector's method of protection can reach sacrificial, it's better to have it installed at the power pole rather than inside the RV. Plus, being portable, one can use it to verify the power pole before parking in the site and connecting to the RV.
I have recently heard from a Thor Motor Coach Vegas owner (2019) that they are advised by a Mobile Tech and their Thor tech service advisor NOT to use their Southwire Surgeguard 34830...that their built-in ATS provides better quality surge protection.
While I attempt to verify the make/model of their ATS (on my 2018, the ATS is a Progressive Dynamics 5100 without surge protection), a couple of followup questions:
Do you have a surge protector you recommend over others? I currently use a Progressive Industries, but have several bad poles lately and worry it’s taken a hit, though the indicators say it’s still good. Just expecting to have to replace it soon and want to be prepared.
My thought is that while many RV’s do not come with an auxiliary hardwired surge protector, that many newer RV’s already have some level of surge protection. There might be minimal surge protection built in the 12-volt converter section that the manufacturer provides to get the converter through its warranty period. And there might be some surge protection in the microwave oven; and the rooftop AC since so many items now have sensitive electronic components. I think if if we add supplemental surge protection upstream (aka, DogBone surge protector) it can absorb much of that damaging energy before reaching to our equipment to help extend the life of built-in spike protection and the life of our electrical/electronic equipment.
I would rather buy an EMS separately than for manufacturers installed. It's a matter of mark up. Manufacturer installed is going to have at least a 100% mark-up.
I have seen some high end motorhomes come from the factory with surge protection built into the automatic transfer switch. Often the ones with RV CAN Communications built in. The downside to that is that they are much more expensive to replace if the ATS goes bad.
Good article. My guess is since the surge protector's method of protection can reach sacrificial, it's better to have it installed at the power pole rather than inside the RV. Plus, being portable, one can use it to verify the power pole before parking in the site and connecting to the RV.
Mike,
I have recently heard from a Thor Motor Coach Vegas owner (2019) that they are advised by a Mobile Tech and their Thor tech service advisor NOT to use their Southwire Surgeguard 34830...that their built-in ATS provides better quality surge protection.
While I attempt to verify the make/model of their ATS (on my 2018, the ATS is a Progressive Dynamics 5100 without surge protection), a couple of followup questions:
Generally speaking, daisy-chaining surge protection devices is discouraged within residents and industry. (Ref: https://ehs.okstate.edu/site-files/documents/daisy_chaining_fact_sheet.pdf ).
Your previous recommendation (Ref: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electricity-jam-can-i-hook-up-two-surge-protectors/ ) really describes a different circumstance.
What are good reasons for these RV techs to recommend not to use a pedestal-mounted surge protection AND a newer RV's built-in surge protection?
Mike,
Do you have a surge protector you recommend over others? I currently use a Progressive Industries, but have several bad poles lately and worry it’s taken a hit, though the indicators say it’s still good. Just expecting to have to replace it soon and want to be prepared.
I’ve done a lot of testing on the Southwire Surge Guard. It appears to be the best of the lot.
My thought is that while many RV’s do not come with an auxiliary hardwired surge protector, that many newer RV’s already have some level of surge protection. There might be minimal surge protection built in the 12-volt converter section that the manufacturer provides to get the converter through its warranty period. And there might be some surge protection in the microwave oven; and the rooftop AC since so many items now have sensitive electronic components. I think if if we add supplemental surge protection upstream (aka, DogBone surge protector) it can absorb much of that damaging energy before reaching to our equipment to help extend the life of built-in spike protection and the life of our electrical/electronic equipment.
I would rather buy an EMS separately than for manufacturers installed. It's a matter of mark up. Manufacturer installed is going to have at least a 100% mark-up.