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This this has been touched on in other threads so here's some basic information to share.

Autoformers: Adjust your voltage to a correct for voltage dips in the supply Example: http://www.autoformersdirect.com/why_need.php For more information. There were a few days in Mystic this summer an Autoformer might have done me some good. I need to look into these more.

EMS (Energy Management Systems) commonly know as surge protectors look at several different conditions to try and protect you RV's electronics from power surges, high or low voltage, and even can tell if the power pedestal is improperly wired. Here is a comparison chart http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Articles.asp?ID=279 These units are either hard wired into you system or they plug into the post and then you plug into them. Some of the hard wired versions like the Progressive Industries have component parts so you can pop out the surge protector that fried saving your electronics and insert a new one without having to replace the unit.

Everything from the refrigerator, TV, tanks level indicators, A/C units, Heat Pumps, microwave etc... have electronic circuit boards not to mentions compressor motors. A $300-400 investment can save you thousands. If you don't have one they are worth taking a look at. I went with the Progressive EMS-HW50C and my dealer installed it for me in about an hour. Pretty sure it's saved me a couple of times.

Not to be a nay sayer, but when the surge protector works, it doesn't mean you're saved. I've elected to go without one through my 9+ years so far without any problems. I've been through brownouts and low current, etc. I've seen people whose surge protectors shut off the power to their rigs when they weren't there. And I've seen surge protectors that burned out. In the last two cases both were cerises by electric company brown outs in severe electric Usage. No rig without them had damage.

Do not misunderstand me, I certainly understand why many have them. But they aren't always the answer and aren't the answer for all of us. But I am considering an autoformer which I think would come in much more useful for me.

I wouldn't be without my surge guard...cheap insurance. Like all insurance, hope you never need it...

Wasn't it Sarah who just had hers protect her rig?

mitch5252 wrote:I wouldn't be without my surge guard...cheap insurance. Like all insurance, hope you never need it...

Wasn't it Sarah who just had hers protect her rig?

There is no way to know that. All she knows is it shut down her electric.

Here's a short article I found interesting.

http://rvtravel.com/noshockzone/surge477.shtml

I can't disagree with it. Butjust because they shut off your power, doesn't mean you've been protected or something would have been damaged. I'm as scared of having one and it shutting my power off when I'm not expecting it and peaches end up in a hot rig. And yes, I know, that can happen without one also.

Bethers wrote:I can't disagree with it. Butjust because they shut off your power, doesn't mean you've been protected or something would have been damaged. I'm as scared of having one and it shutting my power off when I'm not expecting it and peaches end up in a hot rig. And yes, I know, that can happen without one also.

By the same token, it could save u thousands of $$. I never dont use mine, even at home. It has never shut off on me at any time. But I have had power go off at a campground in the summer with Abby in there. She was one hot little cookie.

The other thing it does is prevent a quick on/off of your a/c, which, over time, is bad.

I actually have three large surge protectors on my home. But that doesn't prevent the on/off of my expensive mini-split units. Makes me crazy when we have a bunch of power outages of only a few seconds. When a storm is coming, I turn off the het pump and mini units.

Yup, cheap insurance...

If it's a low voltage (brown out) for example, once the voltage returns to normal, the system will restore power to the rig. I've watch voltages drop in a CG on a hot summer day and I'd rather the A/C turn off for a little while than the motor cease up due to an over amperage condition. There are many conditions these units protect from other than a surge.

Everyone needs to be able to make an informed choice.

Is the Autoformer portable or does it have to be installed? The picture doesn't show where to plug the RV into it.

Martha

I am looking at these surge protectors like insurance. You can pay for insurance for years and never have a claim. But if you experience a loss and don't have insurance, the expense can be huge. We all have different risk tolerance. How many of those hit by Hurricane Sandy were without insurance? Bet they won't be again.

JoanE wrote:I am looking at these surge protectors like insurance. You can pay for insurance for years and never have a claim. But if you experience a loss and don't have insurance, the expense can be huge. We all have different risk tolerance. How many of those hit by Hurricane Sandy were without insurance? Bet they won't be again.

I have a the "big" protector from Progressive -- the one that was for sale here a while back. I feel so much better having it. It was a one-time expense and for the price I paid (which was super!) I'll never go without it.

Insurance is the biggest crap shoot there is. I think Joan's statement about risk tolerance says it all. I'm not a gambler, so where there's large expenses involved I've chosen to carry appropriate insurance. But it's interesting -- I don't have earthquake insurance. I figure that we have an earthquake large enough to do that much damage no amount of insurance will cover the loss. I'll just pick out of the rubble what I can salvage, gather my dog and kitties, and call my trailer home.

Laura

Acadianmom wrote:Is the Autoformer portable or does it have to be installed? The picture doesn't show where to plug the RV into it.

Martha

The autoformer plugs into the power post - and then you put a lock on it!

If the Progressive EMS shuts your electric down, it will automatically reconnect when the voltage is back up. I don't know about some of the others.

If the voltage gets too low even with the autoformer, the autoformer will act as a surge protector.