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surge protectors |
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mylilypod 
Newbie 
Joined: 07 May 2022 Location: Port Townsend Online Status: Offline Posts: 15 |
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 Topic: surge protectorsPosted: 28 May 2022 at 3:35pm |
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I am looking to purchse a 30 AMP surge protector. Thinking ahead...when connecting to a generator/inverter or household, should I be using the SP between the 30AMP connect and dogbone?
Thank you for your input :)
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campman
Senior Member 
Joined: 26 Mar 2021 Location: La Salle, MB Online Status: Offline Posts: 209 |
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Posted: 28 May 2022 at 5:44pm |
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Hello mylilypod. A good investment to protect your trailer. I place mine right at the power post so that my Power Watchdog protects my power cables as well as my trailer wiring and electronics.
May I digress a bit from your query...it nay be a good idea if you can afford it is a protector that not only protects from overvoltage (a lightning strike for example), but also protects your electrical system from under-voltage. It is much more common in older campgrounds and in situations where too many people are all trying to draw too much electricity, say with air conditioners. The low voltage condition can quickly damage your sensitive electronics, fridge, air conditioner etc. It is something to think about, and definitely to be aware of as so many people are out trailering. Have a great weekend, Andy |
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Andy and Laurie
'16 F150 5.0 4X4 w/factory tow pkg '21 RP192 "If the women don't find you handsome...at least let them find you handy!" Red-Green |
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campman
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Mar 2021 Location: La Salle, MB Online Status: Offline Posts: 209 |
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Posted: 28 May 2022 at 7:30pm |
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Another point I just thought of is if you use a generator to power your trailer and you want to use an ems device you will probably need something called a bonding plug (I think that is what they are called anyways.) You can buy one or make one, just take a spare 3 prong plug, take it apart and connect a wire from the ground connection to the white
Common connection...do not connect anything to the hot wire/gold coloured connector! That is your hot wire. There are lots of videos available on YouTube on how to do this. I watched several before making mine up. You would need a bond plug if you want to use a surge/under voltage protector with your generator. You may or may not need a bond plug if you directly connect your trailer to your generator. After researching everything, try hooking everything up before heading out on your next adventure to make sure it works as you want it to. If you have or get an over/under voltage protector always use it if plugging in to power anywhere...safety first! I personally use a Hughes Power Watchdog device that protects in both circumstances and had an app where via Bluetooth you can see the quality of the power provided as well as how much power you are using. I have had it turn off power several times already when it sensed a low voltage condition. It then reconnects once power has safely stabilized again. Another tip when you are using a genny to power your trailer, start your genny first, let it warm up and stabilize its power output before plugging any cords into its receptacles. Usually they have a green light that comes on to let you know the generator is ready. Otherwise it's power fluctuations could damage your trailer. Andy |
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Andy and Laurie
'16 F150 5.0 4X4 w/factory tow pkg '21 RP192 "If the women don't find you handsome...at least let them find you handy!" Red-Green |
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Posted: 29 May 2022 at 5:45am |
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I don't understand your question regarding use of a dog bone. If you have a receptacle installed at home for your trailer it should be on a dedicated 30A 120Vac circuit. You could leave your surge protector in place when you connect to that receptacle. Many folks permanently install their surge protectors.
If you are referring to the dog bones that are being sold to connect your 30A, 120Vac trailer circuit to a 50A 240Vac receptacle, do not use those. They are both dangerous and an electrical code violation because there is nothing to limit the current flowing into your trailer power cable and circuit to 30A, which is their max current rating. For that reason there is a label next to your trailer power inlet specifically instructing you not to do that. Surge protectors don't help because they do not provide any overcurrent protection. |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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TheBum
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
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Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 12:20am |
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I can highly recommend the Watchdog EPO. It addresses one of the issues I have with using a 50A dogbone to feed a 30A circuit: it monitors current and will cut off power if it exceeds 30A.
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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 6:11am |
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Are you sure it shuts off for overcurrent? It would be great if it did but the description reads like it only shuts off for over or under voltage. That is typical for RV power monitors, which leave you exposed to electrical fires if you use a 50 to 30A dog bone.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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TheBum
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
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Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 2:46pm |
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Yep. It says so in the FAQ on Hughes website under "What is EPO?". I've had to reset it through the phone app a few times when it went overcurrent, usually when the electric water heater element was active and the AC compressor kicked on. I don't have an EasyStart on the AC...yet.
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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
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mylilypod
Newbie
Joined: 07 May 2022 Location: Port Townsend Online Status: Offline Posts: 15 |
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Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 4:20pm |
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thank you...much appreciated.
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mylilypod
Newbie
Joined: 07 May 2022 Location: Port Townsend Online Status: Offline Posts: 15 |
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Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 4:21pm |
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i am looking to connect to my honda generator.
thx for the input.
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mylilypod
Newbie
Joined: 07 May 2022 Location: Port Townsend Online Status: Offline Posts: 15 |
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Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 4:23pm |
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thank you...I am looking at that brand.
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