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Topic: Surge protector and circuit tester for LD (Read 8 times) previous topic - next topic
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Surge protector and circuit tester for LD
Yahoo Message Number: 19039
Hello,
 I am now trying to stock up on basic accessories for my new LD which will hopefully arrive in April (the 15% U-bag-it promotion at Camping World through Monday has come in very handy! - works out to 25% off with president's club discount for everything that can fit into the provided paper bag.  I even got them to discount things that didn't fit in the bag).
 I have a question about surge protectors.  Who has purchased one for their LD?  Do you feel that this is a must-have item?  If so, what one would you recommend?  Camping World sells one for about $90 and provides:

Response time 1 nanosecond 120 volts 30 amps 10/3 AWG cor (don't know what this means)

They have another for $260 that provides:

Response time 1 nanosecond 120 volts 30 amps 10/3 AWG cord 1050 joules surge suppression 6500 amps spike protection Built-in two minute and 16 second time delay for compressor protection Fire protection Keyed bypass

Recommendations?

I also would appreciate recommendations for a circuit voltage tester.  Is the $110 "Good Governor" digital tester worth the extra money?

thanks,

Mike
Re: Surge protector and circuit tester for LD
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19055
Mike,

If you want surge protection you are better off getting individual surge protectors for the items that you want to protect. They are typically rated for a high surge in joules and that is the spec you want to be most concerned with. If you want to protect the entire system including the converter get a hard-wired unit and don't get one that connects with a plug and socket between the shore power cable. Every plug/socket connection you add adds more resistance and therefore a voltage drop. Many of the units CW sells have very low joule ratings and most decent individual surge protectors and surge strips offer better protection with much high joule ratings. They aren't designed for 30amps but you can get either industrial 30amp hard wired surge protectors at electrical supply companies and on the Internet that have better surge ratings or the hard wired ones made for RVs at CW or other stores. The fact is that most modern electronic equipment has built in circuit and surge protection to begin with and far more damage is done by low supply voltage or "brownouts" than by power surges. I'd be very surprised if the 7300 series converter didn't have built-in circuit protection since most switching power supplies made today do. If you feel you must have one then get it but I don't even have any in my LD and I live in Central Fl the "lightning capital" of the USA and camp here more than anywhere else. I do have added protection on my home electronic devices but I'm more concerned with surges through areas other than the power line. The fact is that most computers, TVs, Stereos/Home Theater and other devices get the most damaging surges from the phone line, cable, or antenna (satellite or standard) than the power line.
 The "Good Governor" is a very good tool and even with a new generator it can help you avoid problems with under voltage and the wrong frequency caused by low RPMs of the generator. Even brand new generators can at times run at low RPMs especially if you've been traveling in the rain and they've gotten wet. If you remember Gus Weber had a post recently where he told us of having that problem and it took running the generator for several minutes before it came up to speed and had the correct voltage to run his electrical devices.
The cost is more than just a voltage monitor or an AC power line tester/monitor but it provides more info in a single unit and can tell you more about whether it's safe to use either AC power source.
If you decide not to get it at least get a power line tester and voltage monitor that will tell you if the outlet you plug into is wired correctly and what the voltage is before you plug into a shore power socket. They will also let you know if the voltage drops too low or goes to high while plugged in when you plug it into an inside outlet. It will also give you voltage info on the generator when plugged into an inside socket and if the voltage is correct on a new generator typically the frequency is also correct.

The choice is really up to you on any of these devices and I would suggest you get which ever makes YOU feel the most comfortable. It's your hard earned money!

Mike
Re: Surge protector and circuit tester for LD
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19058
Thanks Ron and Mike for the info on surge protection.  I am in California and less likely to need it than if I was back east.  I will invest in a good circuit and voltage tester to monitor for correct wiring and low voltage conditions.

thanks again,

Mike
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Surge protector and circuit test
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19061
richmondmj829 wrote:
 
Quote
far more damage is done by low supply voltage or "brownouts" than by power surges.
Yep -- I've had more devices fried by brownouts than spikes.

I'm happy with the "ALM-30P #03001 30 Amp Portable Line Voltage Monitor and Controller" from Pressman Engineering.  The blurb: "When a high voltage, low voltage, voltage surge or voltage spike, attempts to enter your electrical system, the ALM-30HW shuts off power to your RV, thereby preventing damage to your electrical system and appliances. Automatically, after a short delay of about 4 minutes once voltage has returned to the normal range, the ALM-30HW restores power to your RV."  $205.20:
 http://www.powerstop.biz/id52.htm

Quote
If you want to protect the entire system including the converter get a hard-wired unit and don't get one that connects with a plug and socket between the shore power cable. Every plug/socket connection you add adds more resistance and therefore a voltage drop.
In principle I agree.  Here is a hard-wired unit for $226.80:
 http://www.powerstop.biz/id53.htm

Quote
The "Good Governor" is a very good tool and even with a new generator it can help you avoid problems with under voltage and the wrong frequency caused by low RPMs of the generator. Even brand new generators can at times run at low RPMs especially if you've been traveling in the rain and they've gotten wet.
My generator sometimes takes a couple of minutes to stabilize voltage and frequency.  I like the Good Governor.  $90 at All Web Discounts:
 http://allwebdiscounts.com/onroad_09.php3

Valerie (26.5mb 2001 -- mid coast, CA)
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Surge protector and circuit tester f
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19069
Hi Valerie,

Thank you for the suggestions.  I guess the primary difference between the ALM30P and a surge protector is that the ALM30P also protects against the more common low voltage condition.  Question: Where do you plug-in your ALM30P?  Do you install it in series on the outside of the coach or somewhere inside near the converter?

thx,

Mike
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Surge protector and circuit test
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19071
schafir mschafir@...> wrote:
 
Quote
Where do you plug-in your ALM30P?  Do you install it in series on the outside of the coach or somewhere inside near the converter?
I install it in series with the external power connection.  There is plenty of room in the outside electrical compartment for either the portable or hardwire version, even with the extension cords also stored in there.  The portable unit is weather resistant if allowed to hang naturally from the outside source recepticle, but I figure why tempt anyone to swipe it?  The only disadvantage to keeping the portable hidden in the compartment is that I _have to_ use an extension cord, adding one more set of connections to the circuit -- which as pointed out previously allows slightly more chance for problems...

Valerie (26.5mb '01 -- mid coast, CA)
Re: Surge protector and circuit tester for LD
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19074
Mike, The item you were initially asking about does the same thing as the one Valerie has mentioned and has. The ones CW sells have greatly improved the joule rating (from just 475 joules last year to 1050 joules now) though many good stand alone surge protectors still offer higher surge protection. The hard wired verson at CW is less expensive than the portable unit. Since LD now has the shore power cord detachable you may be able to use the portable one and store it in the compartment without using an extension cord as Valerie would have to. I haven't seen how they arrange the power on the new models so I con't say for sure. The Surge Guards at CW have the auto power shut-off and resume as well as the surge protection. It also has a mis-wired warning indicator on both the portable and hardwired versions. If you really want that type of protection I would say it would be your best bet especially if you can still get to CW today to take advantage of the extra 15% U-bag-it special.
 Personally I think they are a waste of money, but it's your money! I would just get the AC powerline tester/monitor or the Good Governor and if the voltage drops below 100v for more than a couple minutes disconnect from power manually. This will typically be only during the peak afternoon electrical demand time in most areas. See post # 14828 for more info.

Mike
Re: Surge protector and circuit tester for LD
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19078
Thanks Mike,

I am going to wait on the surge protector until I get my LD, gain some experience with it and also look at how they did the wiring. As usual, your advice is logical and I have a lot of other accessories that I need to buy to stock up.

thx,

Mike
Re: Surge protector for LD
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19291
Mike, If you do decide on getting a surge protector for your LD I would suggest you look into the ones on the following web page.
 http://www.elect-spec.com/wire_in2z.htm

These units handle much higher surges than those available from RV stores and responds to them much faster as well. It also costs less than most of the ones sold at RV stores. It could be wired in so that it protects against surges from the shore power or the generator. I don't have one as I've said but I'd probably go with the ED30-125v-S- FL if I where to get one.

I know this company makes good products so don't let the lower cost make you think it isn't as good. Sometimes you don't get what you pay for! With RVs (and boats) and their accessories you can often not get what you paid for!

Mike