RV Surge Protector: Pros and Cons You Need To Know

As you already know, all the appliances in your RV are designed to operate safely and effectively at certain voltages. Any low or high voltage supply or power surges can end up damaging your appliances as well as your RV circuity.

This is where the surge protector comes in. This handy device acts as an electrical gatekeeper that blocks the undesired low and high voltage and spikes, thus keeping your electronics protected from destructive power issues.

If you have never used a surge protector before, below we'll outline for you the key benefits that you'll enjoy from the device, and the few downsides you should be prepared for.

RV Surge Protector: Pros and Cons You Need To Know

Pros of Surge Protector

Let's start with the benefits of using a surge protector…

• Promotes safety in your RV: With a power surge in place, you never have to worry about possible electric shocks and fire hazards in your RV due to various power-related issues and lightning strikes. The guard features safety measures such as emergency shut-off, LED indicators, and even audible alarms that ensure maximum safety in your RV.
• Helps you identify faulty power outlets: it's not easy to know if the pedestal power outlets you find at the campground are alright by just looking at them. But with a surge guard, it becomes pretty easy. It alerts you if you try hooking your RV to a broken or unregulated outlet. It also alerts you in case it detects improper between the power source and your RV.
• Regulates the electrical flow: another benefit of using a surge protector is its ability to regulate the power flow. The protectors made in the US, in particular, will only allow 140V of power to reach your RV appliances. This means it blocks anything more or less to ensure your electronics operate effectively and don't get damaged by unwanted voltage flows.
• Protects your investment: the biggest reason why every serious RVers should get a surge guard is the fact that it acts as insurance for your investment. If you just think about the possibility of frying all the equipment in your RV by connecting it to a campsite pedestal power, you'll see that a surge protector is worth every cent.

It's highly affordable, yet it saves you from damages worth thousands of dollars.

NOTE: For you to enjoy all the above benefits, you'll need to ensure you choose a compatible protector for your RV. If your camper has a 30 amp power supply, then you should only use it with a 30 amp RV surge protector. Likewise, a 50 amp power supply should go with a 50 amp surge guard.

Cons of Surge Protector

Just like any other device, the surge protector also comes with some downsides as outlined below…

• Limited lifespan: unfortunately, surge protectors don't last forever. How long they last vary from model to model. every time they protect your appliances from spikes and surges, they absorb the unsafe voltages. The more they do this, the faster they come close to being dead. As you might have noted, these protectors come with joules rating which is an indicator of how long they stay.

Conclusion

So, these are the advantages and disadvantages that come with an RV surge protector. By weighing the pros and cons of this device, you'll be able to make a wiser decision on whether to buy it or not.