SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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*** Power Surge Protection ***
I hear a lot of people who encourage buying/using a surge protector when plugged in at campgrounds. Cost ~$200. I suspect that most people do NOT have/use surge protectors, but that is just based on my observations.
What I hardly ever hear is people talking about damage to their electrical system due to an electrical surge. So it makes me wonder if it is really a big issue or not.
Specifically, as it pertains to Cruise America former rental units....I wonder something... Cruise America sends out 1000s and 1000s of renters every year and NOT ONE of them has a surge protector! Why not? Is it because in reality they aren't needed? Do you think Cruise America has their RVs built with some sort of built-in surge protection?? Do GFCI circuits protect against surges?? Just want to hear the thoughts of other CA formal rental owners...
Is there a single Former Rental unit Owner out there who, without using a surge protector, has had a power surge that damaged their RV's electrical system/components?
Honestly, I don't even mind buying one and using one for myself. BUT, I often times let others (family/etc) use my Majestics and I know they will either forget to use it, or lose it, etc.
Thoughts?
-Chris
San Jose, CA
Own two 2015 Thor Majestic 28a Class C RVs
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zachcycles
NorCal
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Joined: 07/11/2013
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SJ-Chris wrote:*** Power Surge Protection ***
I hear a lot of people who encourage buying/using a surge protector when plugged in at campgrounds. Cost ~$200. I suspect that most people do NOT have/use surge protectors, but that is just based on my observations.
What I hardly ever hear is people talking about damage to their electrical system due to an electrical surge. So it makes me wonder if it is really a big issue or not.
Is there a single Former Rental unit Owner out there who, without using a surge protector, has had a power surge that damaged their RV's electrical system/components?
Honestly, I don't even mind buying one and using one for myself. BUT, I often times let others (family/etc) use my Majestics and I know they will either forget to use it, or lose it, etc.
Thoughts?
-Chris
Well I'll tell ya... I have the same thoughts... that said I own one, that also said... I rarely use it. I have a degree in electronics and semi-skilled in electrical and I need to put it out that the devices we are talking about are power monitors that depending on model protect or inform about many things. Surge protection is only one on the list yet the name for them has become generic sorta like Kleenex for facial tissue. Surges are really not that big of a problem out there... it happens but other things are very common. I suppose areas that are prone to electrical storms may be an exception... anyway, the most common things run along the lines of miswired or faulty systems. Open neutral, reversed hot and neutral, bad ground... to a lesser extent over and under-voltage. I carry a simple cheap circuit tester that via 3 indicator lamp combination tests for the common miswired outlets... that is what I find most often and worry about the most. But here's the thing... my ol former Camping World rental is nice but basic, no inverter, no fancy jacks or control centers... If I had one of these new fancy push button rigs out there, I'd probably want and use protection. Final thought is that I don't think power monitors are used all that much... like most things you only hear of the ones that do, and mostly of those it is the ones the power monitor saved the day. With out fail the usual response to your type question is, you gonna die without one... And I won't argue that! But yeah... beyond my simple el cheapo test for proper wiring... I probably will still rarely use my fancy one.
Whether out in the motor home or just sittin n sippin a fine whiskey, my mind wanders these daze. I'm ok with this...
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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Joined: 04/05/2003
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Zachcycles,
Glad to hear you testify.
I've been retired for 20 years as an electrician from the constriction industry.
We have had 3 mh from 1988 and never had/used a surge protector power monitor. I will admit that we seldom go to a camp ground where there is a place to plug in.
Also we get fresh water where we can and have never used a water filter. Also we do not use bottled water.
Dusty
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Bea PA
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Joined: 12/28/2000
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Some years ago we were camped at Lake Louise State campground in FL. We and our friends next door had surge protectors, his protected his rig with no damage to the protector, our protector was fried while protecting our rig. Across the street, the camp host , who did not have protection on his pusher lost ALL his electronics. We even have one left over from our last pusher on lil rig. In 2007 we spent 3 months in Canada and Alaska. At Whistler the power was so high our autoformer would shut down, the campers around us were all using their generators as we did after the hi power warnings were issued. We also were saved from an open ground at 1 time so if you are more than a weekend warrior at some time you may run into a problem.
Bea PA
Down sized Winnebago 2012 24V Class C
2003 Gold Wing 1800 recently triked (Big Red)
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SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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Joined: 09/24/2017
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SJ-Chris wrote:*** Power Surge Protection ***
I hear a lot of people who encourage buying/using a surge protector when plugged in at campgrounds. Cost ~$200. I suspect that most people do NOT have/use surge protectors, but that is just based on my observations.
What I hardly ever hear is people talking about damage to their electrical system due to an electrical surge. So it makes me wonder if it is really a big issue or not.
Specifically, as it pertains to Cruise America former rental units....I wonder something... Cruise America sends out 1000s and 1000s of renters every year and NOT ONE of them has a surge protector! Why not? Is it because in reality they aren't needed? Do you think Cruise America has their RVs built with some sort of built-in surge protection?? Do GFCI circuits protect against surges?? Just want to hear the thoughts of other CA formal rental owners...
Is there a single Former Rental unit Owner out there who, without using a surge protector, has had a power surge that damaged their RV's electrical system/components?
Honestly, I don't even mind buying one and using one for myself. BUT, I often times let others (family/etc) use my Majestics and I know they will either forget to use it, or lose it, etc.
Thoughts?
-Chris
Cruise America....the largest RV renter in the world(?)....sends out 1000s and 1000s of inexperienced RVers every year plugging in to every campsite imaginable, and not one of them goes out with a surge protector. If it was an issue that happened on any regularity, it seems like they would have surge protectors built into their Majestics (....I'm guessing if you buy 1000 RVs from Thor you could likely have them install a built in surge protector for much less than the $200-250 it would cost to buy one off the shelf). The fact that they don't seems to indicate it's not a problem, right?
Just for fun, I just called CA rentals and asked them about the need for surge protectors if I'm renting one of their units. The person didn't even know what I was talking about, and said nobody has ever asked about the need for surge protection before when renting. Yes, it's anecdotal but thought it was interesting.
It certainly can't hurt to use a surge protector...just not sure if it is really needed. Maybe another way of looking at this is risk vs cost... Let's assume the cost of a decent surge protector (aka power manager/hookup) is $250. What are the ODDS that you are going to have your electronics fried due to bad power or a surge at a campsite if not using your surge protector? 1 in 10? 1 in 100? Let's call it 1 in 50. (I personally don't know a single person that it's happened to, but I don't know that many RVers). Then let's take a guess at what the "cost" would be associated with bad power or a surge... Blown AC/Microwave/Fridge motherboard/TV/DVD/Converter? I'm just trying to think of all the major 120v electrical items in a typical Former Rental. If you had to replace ALL of those items it would likely cost you $3000-$5000. Let's assume that on average you wouldn't even need to replace ALL of your electronics and let's say half of them get blown. So you are looking at an expense of ~$2000. If the odds of that happening are 1 in 50, then paying $250 for the surge protector doesn't seem like the right thing to do if you are just going by a risk vs cost analysis. Maybe this is inherently why most RVers do not bother with a surge protector? Thoughts?
Note: As a Former Rental owner, we are talking about fairly basic RVs that only cost $25,000 - $40,000 to purchase/outfit. If I owned a $100,000 or $250,000 RV with WAY more expensive electrical stuff that could get damaged then it would be a no-brainer to get a great surge protector/power management hookup. This discussion is as it pertains to Formal Rental units which is why I posted it here to hear people's thoughts.
Happy Camping!
Chris
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Sullyd61
Ma
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Joined: 01/20/2021
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Driving to VA. To pickup 28a inspection went well ,1 minor issue shower door rollers out of track. Anyone have any problem receiving title from CA they say 30 -45 days (why so long?) they give you a Temp plate But my state doesn’t recognize Temp plates (MA) . Hopefully all goes well!
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Hoerschel
Colorado Springs
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While checking the interior of my 2015 Majestic 28a last week I heard beeping and discovered it was my dual carbon monoxide / propane gas alarm. Upon closer inspection, the flashing lights indicated the unit had reached the end of its useful life and needed replacing. An inscription on the face plate also directed the device be replaced after 5 years of service. Just an FYI for other former rental owners to be aware. Cost to replace is appproximately $75. I bought mine online through Camping World with a $15 coupon.
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TwistedGray
Monterey Bay, CA
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Joined: 11/16/2020
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Sullyd61 wrote:Driving to VA. To pickup 28a inspection went well ,1 minor issue shower door rollers out of track. Anyone have any problem receiving title from CA they say 30 -45 days (why so long?) they give you a Temp plate But my state doesn’t recognize Temp plates (MA) . Hopefully all goes well!
Titles are held at corporate I think (Mesa, AZ). It's a process...try waiting 3+ months for plates and/or registration (still waiting).
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Joined: 12/12/2011
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Sullyd61 welcome back,it's great to hear that all went well on the inspection and all goes well as things go forward.Congratulations on your purchase.
I will add you to the list of Former Rental Owners on the forum ,you will be #134 ![[image]](https://www.picgifs.com/emoticons/smileys-and-emoticons/thumbs/smileys-thumbs-217948.gif)
Please come on back and tell us all how it went.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Joined: 12/12/2011
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Hoerschel wrote:While checking the interior of my 2015 Majestic 28a last week I heard beeping and discovered it was my dual carbon monoxide / propane gas alarm. Upon closer inspection, the flashing lights indicated the unit had reached the end of its useful life and needed replacing. An inscription on the face plate also directed the device be replaced after 5 years of service. Just an FYI for other former rental owners to be aware. Cost to replace is appproximately $75. I bought mine online through Camping World with a $15 coupon.
I had the same thing happen to mine,my RV was a bit over 4 years old when I purchased it,The propane detector failed about a year after my purchase, it was just a bit over 6 years old according to the MFG Date.
I replaced it and then just a few months ago I hear that same beep again,checked and sure enough it was my Propane alarm failure beep and flashing light.
I pulled it out and checked the MFG Date,it was 5 years and 2 months old,talk about planned failure.
I also replaced mine from Camping World.For me I went to the store and checked it before I bought it,its MFG Date was only 1 month old,I suggest checking that to make sure that you didn't get a old one.
A link to the one you bought might be very helpful to other owners of a Majestic 28A. Thanks for coming back and alerting others of this!
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