surge protector
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5773
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 11:42am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: surge protector
Posted By: Larry158
Subject: surge protector
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2015 at 10:05am
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Re surge protector Would appreciate input on what protector to choose, 30amp? and what features should it have. I own a 2015 178. Thanks Larry
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2015 at 10:40am
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Yes you need a 30amp. What features you want/need will determine the model.
I have, and a lot of others have, the Progressive Industries HC30C hard wired with remote. It protects against low and high voltage, bad grounds, reverse polarity, mismatched cycles, and of course, surge. You may or may not feel you need all that. Many are happy with just a pedestal mounted surge only box. ------------- |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2015 at 11:49am
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Concur with Mark, you want/need 30 Amp protection. TRC makes a line of Surge Guard protectors that are popular. Hardwired are easier to use, but harder to install. Pedestal mounted are easy to install, but require hookup each time and can be a theft attraction. Which ever type you prefer I recommend full over/under voltage plus surge protection vs surge alone. They're more expensive ($270), but a lot cheaper than a new AC. Anything with an electric motor is subject to damage from low or high voltage which easily occurs in CGs.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2015 at 1:09pm
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This the one I have... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009SQQ1A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Link
to the Surge Protector I have ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2015 at 1:54pm
How big of a headache is it to install one of them fancy "hard wired" thingamabobs? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2015 at 8:42pm
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I installed a Progressive Industries HC30C hard wired with remote last year. It probably took a good hour. Not much trouble at all but a lot of fiddling with thick wires. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Larry158
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2015 at 8:14am
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Furpod, Charlie M, Podster, Tars Tarkas. My thanks to all for your replies & suggestions. I know understand the importance of a surge protector for the POD. As an anxious newbie awaiting the Spring thaw for my first trip I fully appreciate the "Forum" as a great source of information. Thanks again, Larry
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2015 at 5:02pm
Sort of depends on floor plan, and where you have to put it, took me about 15 minutes. But it's very easy on a 177.   I think many with 178's have chosen to put them under the slide. I am sure there is room behind the converter and distribution panel on a 178, but have never had the opportunity to look.. ------------- |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 5:50pm
| It looks as if all you have to do is cut the orange cable, strip the ends, and insert them into the surge protector. Correct? |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2015 at 6:15am
Yes, I read the install instructions and I think that's pretty much it. Locate the main power in, select spot, cut wire strip, then wire the box between and mount the remote display. Not bad. I'll put this on my list for a possibility to replace the one I have, when the time comes. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2015 at 9:00am
That's it, longest part of your day will be maneuvering in whatever small space you have to place yours. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Abbagail54
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 6:08pm
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Hi, I have a 2011 182g I recently purchased the Progressive Hard Wire Surge Protector. I've always been mechanically minded, but not real good with Electric. I think I'm overly stressing on installing this myself. So I decided to check into having it installed. I contacted the local RV dealership (they don't carry R-Pods, but will service them). They told me that it will take 5 hours to install it at $114.00 per hour for a total of $570.00 plus tax. I can't believe it, I told them that I heard it only takes one hour to install. I even have the area already open for them to get into. They said, they could give me an actual quote but it would cost me $57.00 for that. I've heard of people having RV mechanics at different RV parks that would work on your stuff. How do you find one? Would you trust someone like that? Any other suggestions? If I do it myself, do I have to disconnect the battery before installing? I think I probably do. I was completely off shore power and about to cut the wire when I saw that some of the equipment in the pod had lights on them, so I didn't cut it, thinking I need to disconnect the battery first. I'm pretty sure I can follow the instructions and the youtube video I watched. I was a cable splicer tech years ago for the phone company, but I'm allergic to electricity (lol) so leary. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 7:45pm
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It is dead nuts simple. The lights are on the 12v side, has nothing to do with the 120v system for this. Unplug from shore power. Cut the orange wire, orient the "in"and "out" sides of the surge protector. Strip your ends, Connect as color coded.. Running the one wire (can't remember, think it was the neutral) that does the cycle pickup on the "out" side.. close up. Fasten down. Took me about 15 minutes to do my first one, maybe 10 on a friends.. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 8:38pm
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Yup, it should be just that easy. Certainly not 5 hours and I guarantee you that dealer knows it. ------------- 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: Abbagail54
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 9:55pm
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Did you guys take the junction box out and replace the surge protector in that area? That's what they said to do on Youtube. |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 9:56pm
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The longest part of my whole process was moving a few things around to make room for mine. After that it's just a few minutes of work. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2015 at 8:44am
I do not understand what you are asking.. can you link the video you found? ------------- |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2015 at 9:00am
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We bought this...
http://m.campingworld.com/shopping/item/portable-surge-guard-protectors-30-amp/73993 That and a master lock for the post to keep it closed. Never had a problem. I hate working with electricity and always think I'm going to burn things, including myself. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2015 at 10:04am
Don't be afraid if I was able to do it I am sure will understand it and get it installed correctly. You have plenty of good experienced help from members on this forum. I understand your being hesitant and cautious but when you are finished you will tell yourself it wasn't that difficult. I would stay away from the dealer who told you it would take five hours and that it would cost over 500 dollars to install. Make sure you are not connected to shore power and as a safety precaution I would disconnect the battery that may not be important but it wouldn't hurt. Make sure correct colored wires are connected properly. It's basically simple. I was told to buy a three light thing  to check the polarity making sure it is correct thats basically black wire to black wire and white wire to white wire and that the ground wire is correct. I bought the device ( three light thing ) from amazon but any hardware store builders supply store sells them. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Abbagail54
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2015 at 10:37am
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My husband passed away years ago and he was an electrician, so I have all the volt meters, etc. So that won't be a problem. I had to use meters as a cable splicer, so I understand them. I just wasn't sure about the battery being disconnected. I'm sure that I can do this and save me some big bucks. Thanks for all your help. |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2015 at 1:39pm
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It sounds like you may have a better understanding of it than I did when I first installed my surge protector. If you have questions ask, better to be safe than sorry, not that I think your are going to have a problem but I like to be cautious. CharlieM and others were helpful in answering my questions. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Abbagail54
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 1:35pm
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Okay working on it, how can I tell which wires are going to shore and which ones are going to the rv? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 2:35pm
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I posted to your question over on FB.. you are in the wrong place. Put that back together. You need to cut into the ORANGE wire. There is only one, and it runs from the shore power connector to the power distribution box.
------------- |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 7:43pm
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It is possible to remove the power inlet on the outside of the r-pod where the shore power connects and then trace that wire. That is the wire that connects to the surge protector. The threads were stripped on mine and I replaced it with a new one, its only four screws that secure it to the side of the camper. There is a rubber gasket that may stick but the power inlet should easily come free from the camper and there will be your wire. After wire is located screw power inlet back onto the camper. I hope this doesn't confuse you but thought it may help. I am sure furpod will be of great help too, and give you good directions. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Marx
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2015 at 5:57pm
This was a huge help. I did this early this morning and the extreme humidity and hot weather wiped me out for the rest of the day. Anyways found a youtube vid that should help answer any other questions. This should probably be a sticky or part of the instruction section. https://youtu.be/D9pqo3nqHcE ------------- 2014 R-POD 177 |
Posted By: desert-wiggy
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2017 at 5:22pm
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Good afternoon Poddies.....I have 2015 179 has anyone hard wired a surge protector on this model? if so where did you access and mount. S |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2017 at 6:31pm
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Larry,
I have a 178 and a CAMCO surge protector from etrailer, 30 amp. Attaches to power stand-off. Warns for over and under voltage conditions. The 178, while not impossible does not have the accessibility to the wiring and power areas that other Pods have. I have done some wiring mods, like a 12 volt lighter socket with USB and gauge. Not as much area to work with as it is in forward shower wall where tele is. The 179 is sweet and fairly accessible. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: TEDDY
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 2:47pm
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I'm going with a pedestal mount - will use a keyed bicycle chain wrapped around the protector and pedestal. That should give the casual kleptomaniac pause. Nothing will stop a determined thief. ------------- Teddy |