Surge/voltage protectors
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1630
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Topic: Surge/voltage protectors
Posted By: LunaPod
Subject: Surge/voltage protectors
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 9:36pm
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I have read posts on the pros and cons of surge protectors with and without undervoltage protection and since this is my first RV with an air conditioner I emailed Dometic for some answers, here is their response and my original email:
From: CustomerSupportCenter/LaGrange/North_America/Dometic@dometic.se
To: thory@q.com Subject: Re: Voltage fluctuation Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:35:50 -0500 Any time your AC voltage fluctuates outside of the operating range we allow for you are risking damage to the product. Our air conditioning units require your ACV to be between 108-122 volts for proper operation. When you provide low voltage to the unit what can and will happen is the ac will end up pulling higher amps because it is trying to compensate for the low amount of voltage being provided. This can do many things to an air conditioner, over time it can cause the compressor to fail, when this is happening tho it can cause the unit to have improper operating function. Meaning you most likely will not get the cooling from it that it is designed to produce. Our AC units do have a compressor over load and this will kick the compressor off when the locked compressor amps is hit which should protect your unit, however over a period of time operating the ac with low voltage can damage the unit. There is not a built in time delay for low voltage on our units. If you are using a 5 button digital wall thermostat there is a 2.5 min delay on the compressor starting but that is only for the compressor and only when using that control system. If you are in need of any Dometic refrigerator or air conditioner or A& E awning parts you can call us at 1-800-544-4881 or purchase from any dealer or Camping World location. If we can be of any future service do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for choosing Dometic product lines. Customer Support Center Dometic LLC To ensure an accurate response, respond by 'Reply'-ing to "customersupportcenter@dometicusa.com". The e-mail address that this reply came from does not accept incoming e-mail. Also, please add prior correspondence to all future emails.
Hi, I recently purchased a new Forest River R Pod and after reading various forums on RV appliances have come up with some questions regarding the air conditioner and refrigerator in the unit, both of which are Dometic. Air conditioner is Model# 641915301C0 Serial 03499594 Refrigerator is Model# RM8501 Serial# 01,300,050 00 The question has to do with the electrical power at camp grounds. I understand there can be surges, undervoltage, open grounds and reverse polarity issues. If while operating, either of these appliances experience this type of electrical issues will it harm them? A surge protector will protect against all the issues except undervoltage which is rumored to be bad for the air conditioner. A voltage management unit will protect against all these issues. Is undervoltage an issue? Does this model air conditioner have a time delay if low voltage detected? Probably my biggest issue is the undervoltage> Thank you for your time in answering these questions Mike Ryan mailto:thory@q.com - thory@q.com cell 719-269-0728 ------------- Mike & Barb, R Pod 173 - TV 2011Silverado |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2011 at 7:01pm
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That voltage range sounds just about right. I always recommend 110 to 125 for any AC appliance, partly because the numbers are a little easier to remember. If you don't have one already, buy a Kill-a-Watt. First you can use it around the house to find out how much energy you are using (I found an older freezer was using too much so I replaced it). Then instead of throwing it in a drawer, keep it in the 'pod. I keep mine plugged into an outlet that is visible as I enter from outside so I can keep an eye on the utility voltage during the day in camp. Usually you won't have a problem in the spring and fall, but during the summer when every other camper has their A/C on high in the mid-afternoon the voltage can drop. If it goes below 110, turn off your own A/C, don't use the microwave, and turn off the electric heat element on the water heater. When you first get into camp its also a good idea to check the voltage when you first hook up (no matter what season or time of day) to be sure you have a good outlet. Some times you'll find a bad one. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: LunaPod
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 9:34pm
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Thanks for the info I'll look for a Kill a watt, I am also going with the surge protector which will kill the power to everything when either high or low voltage occurs. Resets after 2 1/2 minutes ------------- Mike & Barb, R Pod 173 - TV 2011Silverado |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 10:01pm
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Do you have a link to the model you are looking at?
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: LunaPod
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2011 at 7:56am
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http://tweetys.com/electrical-management-system-hardwire-30-AMP.aspx - http://tweetys.com/electrical-management-system-hardwire-30-AMP.aspx
http://tweetys.com/electricalmanagementsystemportable30amp.aspx - http://tweetys.com/electricalmanagementsystemportable30amp.aspx
Here are a couple I'm looking at Camping World also carries them. ------------- Mike & Barb, R Pod 173 - TV 2011Silverado |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2011 at 9:16pm
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That looks like the one I had for my motor home. I would have to go look at it to be sure. They are well worth the money. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2011 at 9:32pm
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Looks good, covers all bases.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2011 at 10:06pm
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I like the idea of permanently installing a surge protector in my r-pod. But, I see that the ones from Progressive Industries allow voltages from 104-132... well outside the 108-122 volt range recommended by Dometic. I wonder if a breaker-type surge protector could be used in the converter?
------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: marshwatcher
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 11:07am
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We have been following the surge protector thread closely. Would anyone who has installed a hard wired protector care to give instructions? We are trying to decide between the mobile type and the hard wired type and wonder about the difficulty of the install of the hard wired type. Husband is pretty handy but always likes to assess the difficulty factor of a new job before he decides whether or not to DIY.
Thanks in advance for all your help!  ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 3:44pm
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Without actually opening anything up to check, it should be a matter of opening up the back of the converter, unscrewing the terminals where the plug is attached, rerouting/reattaching the wires from the plug to the input on the surge protector, then adding 10 gauge wiring between the output of the surge protector to the terminals on the converter where the plug was. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 7:58pm
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The one I had for the motor home I purposely didn't get hardwired. That was just in case I traded/sold it. I sold it, but now I have protection for the R-Pod. Just a thought for you guys. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: LunaPod
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 8:03pm
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I have searched high and low on the internet and the best I could find on under voltage protection was the Progressive Industries which rates their under at 104v and the over at 132. I called Progressive and they advised that that is the best they can do for the lower price, the only other solution would be to get a 6 or 700 dollar power booster. According to the lady at customer service at Dometic USA the main reason for the concern of undervoltage is that at lower voltage the unit draws higher amps which can be damaging to any electronic board in todays world. I plan on going with the Progressive Industries 30 amp portable unit as even though it is 4 volts under the 108 I feel it still may save me in the long run. I wish i knew someone who could calculate the difference in amps at 108 v vs 104 vthat the 13.5 unit uses. Couldn't be too much. Camping World only carries the TRC unit which rates at 102v if you are interested in Progressive Industries unit, Google them and they have a where to buy link on their site. ------------- Mike & Barb, R Pod 173 - TV 2011Silverado |
Posted By: marshwatcher
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 8:12pm
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Terry,
You make an excellent point...thanks! ------------- |
Posted By: marshwatcher
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 8:34pm
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LunaPod,
We have decided on the Progressive portable unit as well. You might want to check this link for the best price I have found thus far. http://tweetys.com/electricalmanagementsystemportable30amp.aspx Hope this helps. ------------- |
Posted By: LunaPod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2011 at 7:13am
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Thanks Marshwatcher,
Looks like the best price ------------- Mike & Barb, R Pod 173 - TV 2011Silverado |