Best RV Surge Protector To Protect Your RV Electronics
Credit@gotraveltrailer
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BEST EMS Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C
BEST SMART Hughes Autoformers PWD50-EPO-H
BEST AFFORDABLE Progressive Industries SSP-30XL
If you are staying in areas where you are not familiar with the superiority of the power supply, then it is a must to have an RV surge protector. You may be playing Russian roulette if your RV is without one of these surge protectors.
So if you are looking to get an RV surge protector, we can confidently say that you are definitely at the right place. We have reviewed a long list of options, and you can save the trouble of checking it yourself. In this guide, we have listed down five picks for the Best RV Surge Protectors.
Table of Contents
Best 5 RV Surge Protector
This is one of the best RV surge protector 30 amp is a hardwired EMS surge protector. It can support over ten different electrical scenarios such as reverse polarity detection and production, open ground, open neutral, frequency protection, over/under voltage protection, and accidental 240V protection. It will protect you from high or low power surges.
It has a digital LED display that will show error codes indicating the kind of electrical issues faced. It offers 1790 Joules of surge protection which will protect your circuitry at 120-volt lines.
Unlike portable surge connectors, there is no need to worry about them being stolen or misplaced. The reason is, you will be hardwiring it onto your RV. You need only 1-time installation. There is a very detailed instruction manual provided for easy installation. However, it may cost you extra as you need someone to help you install it.
It is UL Certified, and Canadian approved, giving you peace of mind. This model is reliable and sturdy, assuring that your RV is protected every time you plug in at all times.
Pros
- One time installation
- Reliable
- Popular EMS
- Digital display reading
Cons
- Installation may be tricky for a newbie
- Less affordable
PROS
CONS
- One time installation
- Reliable
- Popular EMS
- Digital display reading
- Installation may be tricky for a newbie
- Less affordable
Progressive Industries SSP-30XL is a portable, lightweight RV surge protector. It is designed as a 30 amp RV surge protector. It offers 825 Joules of surge protection and 22500 amps, which you can use in any rig. It is slightly lower than the 1000 Joules mark, but it is reasonable.
Thanks to its thermal protective housing, it works very well outdoors. It operates well within the temperature range of -40 degrees to 105 degrees Celsius.
It can detect miswired pedestal, surge failure, open neutral and reverse polarity. It uses indicator lights to let you know of possible wiring mistakes.
Because it is portable, there is no need for installation efforts. There is a locking bracket to prevent it from being stolen.
If you are looking for an affordable and portable RV surge protector, Progressive Industries SSP-30XL is an excellent choice.
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Locking bracket
- Thermal protective housing
Cons
- No LED display
- Lower Joules rating
PROS
CONS
- Affordable
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Locking bracket
- Thermal protective housing
- No LED display
- Lower Joules rating
Camco comes across as one of the most well-known brands for RV accessories.
This surge guard will automatically disconnect when it detects dangerous conditions. Once normal operating conditions have been restored, it will and reconnect.
This surge protector protects from power strikes of up to 2800 joules. It will automatically turn off when high or low voltage is detected. POWER WILL SHUT OFF when AC power is dangerously higher than 132 volts or lower than 102 volts.
LED indicators are there for you in case of any electrical problems. This device will protect you against open neutral, reverse polarity, and many other electrical scenarios.
Camco 55301 is a plug-and-play surge protector, which reduces a lot of installation time. It comes with a 30-Amp male (NEMA TT-30P) or 30-Amp female (NEMA TT-30R), which you can directly plug in to use. Depending on your RV amp connection, there are two options for this surge guard, a 30 amp service or a 50 amp service.
If you are looking for a portable unit with superb handling capability, Camco 55301 is for you.
Pros
- Auto shut off
- Plug and play
- Power grip handles
Cons
- Not lockable
PROS
CONS
- Auto shut off
- Plug and play
- Power grip handles
- Not lockable
Known as one of the best 50 amp RV surge protector, it is also one of the world’s first Smart surge protectors. It has a smart connectivity feature that allows you to monitor your RV power conditions using an app on your smartphone. It will send alert messages if it detects possible dangers in your electrical systems.
In addition, this RV surge protector 50 amp device delivers an exceptional 4800 Joules of protection to your vehicle. It comes equipped with an Emergency Power Off (EPO) feature that automatically shuts down the device if the voltage exceeds or falls below certain predetermined levels.
This surge protector for RV auto restarts once it is tripped to turn the power back on. If you have a hit of a surge, replace the burned-out board, and you get to continue to keep your motorhome.
With a waterproof rating of IP65, it is safe to use outdoors. At the same time, you do not need to worry about it being stolen as there is an anti-theft locking bracket for you to add a lock and a chain.
Bluetooth connection is short, but it is sufficient if you are inside or around the RV. Although it has smartphone capabilities, it is not portable. It requires a professional hardwired installation to use it.
Hughes Autoformers PWD50-EPO-H is an authentic well-made power management product, which is far superior to other ordinary surge protectors. You can fully trust this product in protecting your RV.
Pros
- Waterproof rating of IP65
- Smartphone capabilities
- EPO feature
- Anti-theft locking bracket
Cons
- Limited Bluetooth range
- Not portable
PROS
CONS
- Waterproof rating of IP65
- Smartphone capabilities
- EPO feature
- Anti-theft locking bracket
- Limited Bluetooth range
- Not portable
This unit is made for 30 amp connections. This RV surge protector amp offers essential surge protection but does not auto shut off if it hits the upper or lower voltage limits.
Surge Guard 44280 is a portable unit that is straightforward to set up. It provides great convenience for any RV camper, so there is no need to hire someone to install it for you.
It is designed to be weather-resistant, so you will not need to worry about it being out against the open elements. There is also a rain-proof cover so that you can keep your unit dry when it rains.
For such an affordable budget, it can monitor a wide range of electrical issues such as open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity, open circuit, and reverse ground.
Pros
- Reasonably affordable
- Weather-resistant
- Affordable
Cons
- Easy to steal
- No auto shut off
PROS
CONS
- Reasonably affordable
- Weather-resistant
- Affordable
- Easy to steal
- No auto shut off
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Why do you need one?
If you own an RV, this is the first accessory you need.
When you are a serious RV traveler, there is a tendency to be moving around frequently. Thus, you may be needing to use different power sources now and then. There is a risk that specific power sources may not be safe for your electrical appliances.
An electricity surge could severely damage your electrical equipment plugged into an outlet if there is no surge guard to stop it.
If there is a surge of electrical power, the RV surge protector will shield your RV equipment from faulty power sources. Having a surge guard is excellent insurance against costly electrical system damage.
Buying Guide
Type of connection
30-amp or 50-amp connection
Generally, there are two types of connection, the 30-amp or 50-amp connection. A 30-amp connection will have 3 Prongs, while a 50-amp connection will have 4 Prongs.
EMS (Electrical Management Systems) VS Surge Protector
Surge protectors are designed to protect your devices from a surge of voltage spikes.
EMS is designed to cater to a wider variety of potentially harmful electrical problems such as low voltages, open neutrals, reverse polarity, and open grounds.
Joules Rating
A higher joules rating means more protection against higher power spikes. It increases its ability to prevent overheating.
Portable or Hardwired protector
A portable surge protector lets you plug into the power hookup at your site and connect it to your RV power cord. It does not require installation or additional wiring. Just plug into the and is the most accessible type to use. However, it can be easily stolen as it is portable.
A hardwired protector is directly hardwired to your RV. It is usually installed underneath your RV, where you access your rig’s power cord. You need to place it between the power base and your electronics.
There is no need to worry about the external elements outside as it is protected within the storage compartment. You only need to install once, and in the future, no further installation is needed.
Our Verdict
You will not go wrong with any of these top-rated RV surge protectors, as they are the top-of-the-line RV surge guards compared to other options you see on the market.
If you still cannot decide and need a final recommendation, we recommend Hughes Autoformers PWD50-EPO-H to protect your RV appliances from faulty power sources. It will give you peace of mind while you travel to remote campsites.
It is much superior in quality with its smartphone abilities and auto shut-off functions when there is a voltage surge or under voltage. You can easily distinguish them from standard surge guard capabilities. It is a reliable RV surge guard that you must have if you do not own one.
Jules and Ken
We are outdoor lovers, travelers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.
We hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the Best RV Surge Protector, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
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2 thoughts on “Best RV Surge Protector To Protect Your RV Electronics”
I have nothing to say about this article. It is really good and I love it.
We purchased the EMS-PT30X about 11 months ago and used it for 6 or 7 trips. This surge protector displays amps being consumed so you know if limits are being surpassed. A little bulking, but manageable and while it’s made for outdoor use, I tend to keep a plastic bag over the plugged in unit to ensure it’s lomg use. I use a couple of pad locks and a chain with one lonck around the cord and the other end locked to the eclectical outlet. The delay of electric flow after plugging in or an electrical interruption ensures RV components are protected. Have only used it for a couple of months and so far so good