by Joshua Thomas
As an RV owner, there are certain measures you need to take in order to protect your vehicle and its additional components from damage. One such measure is investing in a surge protector so that you can keep your internal electrical appliances in working order.
A surge protector is basically an electrical appliance that protects electrical devices from power spikes. It works by limiting the power that passes through by either grounding or blocking the excess voltage that is above the allowed threshold.
It is a very essential tool to have but you must have the best one for the job. This article looks at some of the best RV surge protectors so as to help you pick the most suitable one for protecting your vehicle.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Technology Research 34830 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X |
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 | 3. Progressive Industries EMS-LCHW30 |
|
 | 4. TRC 44260 |
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 | 5. Camco 55301 |
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 | 6. Progressive Industries EMS-LCHW50 |
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 | 7. Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X |
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Technology Research's 34380 is the top rated RV surge protector on our list. The product is small and lightweight, making it easy to use and handle as you plug or unplug it to power pedestals on camping grounds.
Despite being small, it provides enough protection by monitoring the voltage and amp draw continuously. If the amp draw exceeds 30 Amps, it automatically shuts off, turns the notification light red and shows the current state on its LCD screen.
Apart from this, it also monitors for any signs of reverse polarity such as elevated ground voltage and miswired pedestals. This ensures that your appliances are protected from inverse pole powering, which can ruin their electrical circuitry.
On surge protection, this appliance can dissipate up to 2450 Joules of energy spikes, making it safe to use with most appliances such as TV's, laptops and routers. Spikes that exceed 2450 Joules will fry this protector, rendering it useless.
It comes with a 1-year warranty that guarantees a replacement or a refund for any manufacturer defects.
Pros
Cons
The EMS-PT30X is quite an expensive surge protector and to help you safeguard it, a locking bracket is built-in that enables you to lock it onto the power pedestal so that it cannot be stolen at camp.
Aside from this, the unit has a 3-mode protection and surge protection from power exceeding 30 Amps and 120 Volts.
An LCD display is included for indicating the various operational values such as the current voltage, and this enables you to easily monitor the cause of power cuts and the status of the protector unit.
On extreme power spikes, the product can withstand up to 1790 Joules of energy or 44,000 Amps of power. Any more than this will make it fail and require replacement.
Construction wise, the protector is quite big in size and weight, and has a tough Lexan housing that shields all its internal components from the elements. This makes it very convenient to use because portable surge protectors are usually left outside on the power pedestal.
Pros
Cons
This hardwired surge protector is fully equipped with several protection features that include reverse polarity, open ground, high voltage, low voltage, high frequency, and low-frequency protection, effectively making it the best 30-Amp RV surge protector.
The product has a rating of 30 Amps at 120 Volts, which means that any power spike or draw that exceeds these values will lead to a cutoff. After this, normal operations will resume once the power has stabilized for at least 136 seconds.
To help you understand what caused the cutoff, this unit has an error code list on its upper side and also features an LCD screen that displays the power source information, including the error code of what caused it to shut off.
However, if the energy spike exceeds 1790 Joules or a current of 44,000 Amps, the surge protector will cease operations because its electrical components will be fried by this huge power surge.
The good thing, however, is that most of its replacement parts are plug and play and thus, it is very easy to maintain. Additionally, it comes with a lifetime warranty that assures you of a full refund or replacement if this appliance gets damaged due to a manufacturer defect.
Pros
Cons
This surge protector also has a dog bone design but is much smaller and lightweight as compared to the Camco 55312. It also functions in a similar way to the 55312 because it incorporates the use of diagnostic lights instead of a digital display for relaying certain error codes.
The appliance tests for an open neutral, open ground and reverse polarity, indicating the results by using different lighting codes on its diagnostic lights.
On surge protection, the unit can effectively dissipate up to 2100 Joules of energy, enabling you to keep your RV's appliances in working condition by providing reliable protection.
Pros
Cons
The Camco Power Defender utilizes an LED light diagnosis system to show the errors that cause it to shut down power to the RV.
As opposed to the regular 120 Volt rating, this one has a 102 to 132 Volt AC rating, making it more practical. This is because almost all electrical devices are designed to handle a voltage range around the 120 Volt figure.
If the power supply exceeds 132 V or goes below 102 V for more than 10 seconds, this protector automatically shuts off and only resets once the power has stabilized for at least 140 Seconds.
In case of a power spike, this protector can suppress energy surges that reach up to 2450J, making it capable of handling quite a lot in order to keep your appliances safe.
On the downside, it is designed to be waterproof but is not very effective at keeping the water out when exposed to the elements. However, it comes with a 1-year warranty that may take care of such damages.
Pros
Cons
The EMS-LCHW50 is very costly, but it has the features to show for it. For starters, it is a hardwired protector, which means that it must be fixed inside the RV and thus, it is not susceptible to weather changes like portable protectors.
This unit has a digital display that can be scrolled through continuously so as to accurately display all the power source information such as voltage, current and error codes.
In terms of protection, the unit protects the RV's appliances from multi-mode surges as well as from high/ low frequencies, high/ low voltage, an open ground and reverse polarity. This effectively means that you get an all-round protection, making it worth the money.
The product can withstand 3580 Joules of energy spikes, making it very powerful and durable because it can dissipate a lot of energy. Additionally, it comes with a lifetime warranty that makes the deal even better.
Pros
Cons
The EMS-PT50X is the most expensive surge protector in our list. However, it combines the provision of surge protection, with capabilities of handling up to 3580 Joules of power spikes and electrical system management to protect your RV's appliances from things such as reverse polarity, open ground, low and high voltage etc.
This unit is portable and has an all-weather shield assembly that helps it safeguard the circuits in the inside from the elements.
It can also operate at temperatures between -40ºC to +105ºC, making it usable both during winter and summer, making it one of the best 50 Amp as well as the best Progressive RV surge protectors.
Pros
Cons
The Amp rating of a surge protector should be determined by the size of your RV, specifically, the number of appliances that you have on the inside.
Amperes basically denote the amount of current that the protector can handle and can permit through. Therefore, if you have a big RV (Class A or a large Class C), with multiple appliances inside, you will need a 50 Amps protector.
A 30 Amps protector is sufficient for a small RV.
There are two types of RV surge protectors. These are:
Surge protection is given in Joule ratings. This figure determines the amount of heat energy that the unit can effectively dissipate as a result of power spikes caused by things such as lightning.
A higher number means greater protection as well as a longer service life because it can handle high energy spikes.
Ideally, a figure above 1500 Joules is good but the best rating should be over 2000 Joules.
This is a big factor to consider because you wouldn't want to burden your RV with extra weight. It is a much bigger issue when it comes to portable protectors because carrying the unit to the power pedestal and back can be a big issue if it is too heavy.
Some surge protectors have LCD displays for indicating the power source information and errors while others have diagnostic lights.
Although diagnostic lights still work, the best RV electrical surge protector should have a digital display because, for instance, it will show you the exact voltage and current of the power source, making it more accurate to diagnose the cause of power cutoffs.
This is a factor that must be considered when buying a portable surge protector. Since the unit is left outside, it must be weatherproof so that its internal circuitry is not harmed by precipitation.
It is necessary to have a valid warranty on any electrical appliance and especially, an RV surge protector because it is an expensive product and very essential to have.
With a warranty, you will at least be assured of a safe investment because once it gets damaged due to a manufacturer's error, you will either get a replacement or a full refund.
Progressive Industries 30 Amp Portable RV Smart Surge Protector With Cover (1 MIN), - Walmart Link
Portable RV Surge Protector Portable EMS-PT30X RV Surge Protector, Black - Walmart Link
Progressive Industries 50 Amp Portable RV Electrical Management System Surge Protector (1 - Walmart Link
Surge Guard 44280 Portable Surge Protector - 120V, 30A,Black - Walmart Link
Surge Guard 35550 Hardwire Model - 50 Amp - Walmart Link
Hughes Autoformers PWD30-EPO, 30 Amp Spike Power Watchdog, Shut Off - Walmart Link
Camco 50 Amp RV Power Defender Voltage Protector/Monitor with Integrated Surge - Walmart Link
Progressive Industries HW50C Hardwired EMS Surge & Electrical Protection- 50 Amps - Walmart Link
Southwire 34930 Surge Guard 30A - Full Protection Portable with LCD Display Black - Walmart Link
Camco RV 30-Amp Power Defender Voltage Protector with Integrated Surge Protection | - Walmart Link
Progressive Industries 30 Amp Portable RV Smart Surge Protector With Cover (1 MIN), - eBay Link
Portable RV Surge Protector Portable EMS-PT30X RV Surge Protector, Black - eBay Link
Progressive Industries 50 Amp Portable RV Electrical Management System Surge Protector (1 - eBay Link
Surge Guard 44280 Portable Surge Protector - 120V, 30A,Black - eBay Link
Surge Guard 35550 Hardwire Model - 50 Amp - eBay Link
Hughes Autoformers PWD30-EPO, 30 Amp Spike Power Watchdog, Shut Off - eBay Link
Camco 50 Amp RV Power Defender Voltage Protector/Monitor with Integrated Surge - eBay Link
Progressive Industries HW50C Hardwired EMS Surge & Electrical Protection- 50 Amps - eBay Link
Southwire 34930 Surge Guard 30A - Full Protection Portable with LCD Display Black - eBay Link
Camco RV 30-Amp Power Defender Voltage Protector with Integrated Surge Protection | - eBay Link
Considering all these specifications and factors to consider, it's easy to see why an RV owner can pick the wrong RV surge protector if he/she does not have the correct information.
Hopefully, this review will help you pick the best unit for your motorhome and let you concentrate on your traveling as opposed to your power issues.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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