Best Surge Protector For RV (Review) – Top 11 Picks
Imagine you buying a fantastic looking RV that has been your dream for so long. You spend a decent amount of money on it and then finally get the time to go on a trip to the countryside.
In the middle of the trip, you park your RV in a public place and plug it in to charge it up. And just like that, due to faulty power, there is a surge and boom! Your RV is ruined and all circuits are burned.
While that is a scary scenario, it can be avoided by the use of surge protectors. There are many surge protectors in the market, each with its own features. To prevent getting confused with so many options, we have decided to make a list of the best surge protector for RV just for you.
Best Rated RV Surge Protector Choices 2020
Finding the right surge protector for your SV is important. You don’t want to get something that is inadequate for your needs. You also don’t want to get something that is a surplus to your requirements.
This is why you need to go to the market once you know everything there is to know about surge protectors.
While buying surge protectors, you should look for AMP ratings because it will determine how much current it can take.
Voltage capacity should also be a thing to consider along with display settings so that the readings are visible and easy to see.
Best RV Surge Protector Comparison Chart
Product | AMP Ratings | Max Spike Protection | Replaceable Surge Protection Unit | LCD Display | |
Huges Autoformers RV220 | 50 amp | 4800 J | Yes | No | |
Surge Guard 34830 | 30 amp | 2450 J | N/A | Yes | |
Progressive Industries HW30C | 30 amp | 240 V | Yes | Yes | |
Southwire Black 34930 | 30 amp | 132 V | No | Yes | |
Hughes PWD50303305050 | 30 amp | N/A | Yes | Yes | |
Progressive Industries SSP50 | 50 amp | 1650 J | No | No | |
Progressive Industries SSP30 | 30 amp | 825 J | No | No | |
Progressive Industries SSP | 30 amp | 120 V | No | No | |
Camco 55313 | 50 amp | 4200 J | No | No | |
Surge Guard 44280 | 30 amp | 120 V | Yes | No | |
Belkin | NA | 3940 J | No | No |
Our 11 Picks For The Top Surge Protector For RV
1. Hughes Autoformers RV220-50 SP| Best 50 AMP RV Surge Protector
When it comes to making quality surge protectors, then Hughes Autoformers are one of the most trusted brands out there. And it is no surprise that their newest surge protector, the RV220-50 SP is just as good as all other their products.
This particular product has got a rating of 50 amps. With a Watts Capacity of 12,000, it also has a 4800 Joules of Advances Surge Protection unit and a built-in indicator light.
The RV220-50 SP is fully automatic. It provides a 10 percentage voltage boost when required. The Boost indicator lights up whenever needed. There is a complete LED Park Power Diagnostics.
But the best part about this amazing item is the replaceable surge protection Unit. This unit can handle up to 4800 joules of the power surge. If that happens you can simply remove this unit and get it replaced without having to buy the whole thing. So if there is a big storm and a spike in power, your RV will remain protected.
One of the many reasons why products from Hughes Autoformers are so good is that they are usually more than what meets the eye. In this case, you can consider the RV220-50 SP as a voltage booster as well as surge protection in one product.
- It has a replaceable surge protection unit.
- It can withstand a power surge of 4800 Jules.
- It can provide an automatic 10 percentage voltage boost.
- You can perform a complete LED Park Power Diagnostics.
- Does not have any LED display.
Bottom Line
While LED displays allow you to understand the current power surge or the unstable voltage, it isn’t the most crucial thing. And since this product is giving you a 10 percentage voltage booster, you won’t need to see the readings anyway.
2. Surge Guard 34830|Best 30 Amp RV Surge Protector
In a lot of cases, people who take out their RVs for some sort of road trips usually end up parking at public parks. This is because there is enough space to park RVs without disrupting others and there are spots to charge up your van.
The problem with these charging spots is that they always seem to have power surges. One of the best ways to deal with these surges is to use the Surge Guard 34830.
This particular surge protector has got a built-in intelligence that can determine when there is a power surge going on and act accordingly. It also has an automatic reset on power restoration.
This means every time there is a power surge, the surge protector will reset and start your RV again without you having to do it manually. It has an LCD which will allow you to check the current readings. That is one feature that you will not find in many surge protectors.
In terms of maximum capacity from surge protection, the Surge Guard 34830 will contain up to 2450 Joules. This is indeed a very high number and appropriate given there is no guarantee of the fluctuations in a park power.
- It has built-in intelligence.
- It automatically resets on power restoration.
- There is an LCD with the English language.
- It has a 2450 Joules rating of power surge protection.
- Vulnerable to stealing due to its size.
Bottom Line
The Surge Guard 34830 is a portable model meaning it can be easily stolen from the park if left unguarded. However, this isn’t a big issue. Most pedestals have a lock hole. You can use some sort of lock combination to fasten this item to your RV to keep it safe.
3. Progressive Industries HW30C| Best RV Power Surge Protector
The basic task of a surge protector is to protect the device, in this case the RV, from sudden power surges. However, it is always great when your surge protectors can do more than just that.
The Progressive Industries HW30C comes with packed features. This includes Surge Protection in 3 different modes, 1,790 Joules and 44,000 A. It has ratings of 30 A/ 120 V / 3600 W.
The Operating Temperatures is suggested to be from -40 degrees Celsius to +105 degrees Celsius. The item also comes with a long 14-inch data cable. This is particularly useful if the power plug is quite distant from where you have parked your RV. It just gives you additional mobility.
Other features include; Open Neutral, Open Ground, and Reverse Polarity detection as well as protection. There is also Under/Over voltage protection. The HW30C will cover A/C frequency protection and accidental 240V protection.
Anytime there is a surge failure, you will be able to tell that because there is a surge failure indicator that will warn you. There is also a time delay sequence of 136 seconds.
The HW30C comes with an LCD unit that will show you all sorts of readings. You can control and scroll the readings on this display using a remote control.
- It contains surge protection in 3 different modes.
- There are Open Ground, Open Neutral, and Reverse Polarity detection.
- It comes with an LCD unit.
- It comes with a 14-inch data cable.
- The time delay sequence of 136 seconds is longer than most.
Bottom Line
Most other surge protectors have time delays of 90 seconds or 120 seconds but 136 seconds isn’t that big of a problem. As long as your RV remains safe, the reset delay shouldn’t be a much of a concern.
4. Southwire Black 34930| Best RV EMS
The Southwire Black 34930 not only protects your RV from faulty park power, but it also protects your vehicle from all sorts of electrical issues that may arise from inside your RV.
It provides 360-degree protection including against power surges, open ground, and open neutral. It will also protect your RV from low and high voltages ranging from 102 V to 132 V.
Any sort of overheating, plug/receptacle faults, reverse polarity, miss-wired pedestal, and the elevated ground is also covered by the 34930. In other words, all sorts of electrical surges can be tackled using this one product.
The Southwire Black 34930 comes with a display unit. It is an LCD that shows information in English. It will continuously monitor the current readings and display the voltages and amp drawings.
This surge protector also has a 10-second start up sequence which is quite fast if you consider all other surge protectors in the market and their start-up sequence. The reset delay stands at 128 seconds which is once again the average timing for most surge protectors.
The 34930 has a capacity of 3600 Watts. The 34930 will protect your RV against the A/C compressor as well. One of the great feature of this item is that it is a universal fit. This means you can plug it in any type of RVs or any other vehicles if you want.
- Protects your RV from all sorts of electrical issues.
- It comes with an LCD to show voltages and amp drawings.
- It is a universal fit type for all RVs.
- It has a capacity of 3600 Watts.
- Might have to replace the entire thing in the events of a surge.
Bottom Line
Unless the RV is hit by direct lightning, the device will just disconnect itself and reset. So an entire replacement isn’t always necessary.
5. Hughes Autoformer PWD50 | Smart RV Surge Protector
In most cases, a surge protector is just an electrical device that helps you keep your RV safe. But when it comes to Hughes Autoformer and their PWD50, it is different. While the PWD50 does the same job, it does it in a “smart” way.
Hughes Autoformer PWD50 is a Smart RV surge protector and it is indeed one of a kind. It has got Bluetooth connectivity which allows you to monitor power conditions of a live park on your smartphone.
That’s right, you will not have to get up and check the device as long as you download the Huges mobile app that’s available on Android and iOS. This gives you the freedom to monitor the voltage and the current drawings of the device on the comfort of your smartphone.
Alongside this comfort, you will also get the chance to experience the complete LED park power diagnostics. This will enable you to note all sorts of wireless faults and you can even set custom alerts based on your suitable thresholds.
The PWD50 draws 50 Amps when in use. But the best bit of this device is its replaceable unit. If there is a large power surge or spike that hits your device, you will not have to replace the whole thing. Only replace the surge/spike unit and you are good to go.
- Bluetooth Connectivity to monitor conditions on your smartphone.
- It draws 50 Amps when in use.
- You can run LED power diagnostics.
- The surge/spike unit is replaceable.
- Cannot lock this unit to the shore power pedestal.
Bottom Line
While you cannot exactly lock this item with the shore power pedestal, you can always use a bike lock cable. It is cheap to buy and effective but more importantly, it will keep your surge protector safe from theft.
6. Progressive Industries SSP50 Smart Surge|Best Portable RV Surge Protector
An RV is a fascinating vehicle. You are practically living in it. It is like a mobile home with a bed, a sink, and a toilet.
As great as it sounds, it can get congested in an RV if not designed right. So the last thing you would want is to have a clunky looking big surge protector lying around somewhere and taking up space.
This is why the surge protector from Progressive Industries, the SSP50 is so in demand. Its small sleek design makes it easy to use without taking any space at all.
The SSP50 has got a rating of 240 V or 50 A. Despite the small stature of the device, it can do impressive things, such as providing 4-modes, along with 1650 Joules and 45000 amps surge current rating.
There is a built-in surge status indicator. This notes the current condition of the surge protector and lets the user know if there is anything wrong.
Alongside that, the dual-line polarity tester of the device helps the user to check the status of the source before using it. This ensures that there isn’t anything faulty with the source and it will not affect your RV.
At only 2 pounds, it is a very small device that can be moved around easily inside the RV.
- Small and sleek design that doesn’t take much space.
- Dual-line polarity tester allows you to check the source.
- It has a rating of 240 V and can contain up to 45000 Joules.
- It contains a built-in surge status indicator.
- The cable is too short.
Bottom Line
Despite being a powerful device the short cable may deter buyers away. You can always fix this problem by buying an extension cable and then plugging it in. This way you will not be devoid of a great device.
7. Progressive Industries SSP30 Smart Surge| Best EMS RV Surge Protector
Designed specifically for outdoor use, the SSP30 Smart Surge from Progressive Industries is the perfect surge protectors for RV users. It is weather protected, which means you can use it when there is rain outside or even during the storm.
The device will keep your RV protected from unforeseen power surges. The Smart Surge has got a rating of 120V or 30 A. It provides 3- Mode, as well as 825 Joules and 22500 amp, surge current rating.
There is a surge status indicator built-in with the device. It informs the user whether the surge protector is working properly or not. It will also give you an idea of whether the source of power is suitable to be used for charging up your RV or not.
There is an integrated circuit tester. It allows the user to check for, Reverse Polarity, Open Neutral and Open Ground before using it.
The small yet sleek and compact design makes it a fine device to use. The overall design also makes it a portable surge protector so you can move it inside the RV as per your wish. There is no installation needed, you can simply unwrap it and use it right away.
- Built and designed for outdoor use such as RVs.
- An integrated circuit tester allows you to check before use.
- It has a surge rating of 22500 amp currents.
- The sleek and compact design makes it portable for everyday use.
- Small design makes it vulnerable to theft.
Bottom Line
Despite the con, it is still a great product to use. In terms of tackling the theft problem, you can always use some sort of lock and key combination and keep it safe. Or you could buy a bicycle lock and latch it on the door of the RV.
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8. PROGRESSIVE INDUSTRIES SSP-30XL| Best RV Surge Guard
Imagine a scenario where you take your RV out for a small trip across the countryside with your beloved one. You notice you need to charge up your RV so you stop by at a park and plug in your vehicle only to have a sudden power surge and that causes all your equipment inside the RV to shut down.
That would ruin your little trip, right? It doesn’t have to come to that if you decide to use the Progressive Industries SSP-30XL surge protector.
The safety device has got surge protection including 3-Mode can contain up to 850 Joules of the surge or 22500A. It comes with ratings of 30A or 120 V or just 3600 W. Its operating temperatures are from -40 degrees Celsius to +105 degree Celsius.
The SSP-30XL surge protector also contains open ground, open neutral and reverse polarity detection features. Alongside that, any sort of miss-wired pedestal indication and surge failure are also detected with built-in indicators.
This particular product was designed for outdoor use. It contains a weather-resistant design making it the perfect fit for heavy rain or windy scenarios.
It has all-weather, shield assembly and the thermally protected features make it the ultimate outdoor surge protector. As added incentives, it comes with a rugged pull handle, a locking bracket, and 3 colors LED indicators.
- Contains a surge protection capacity of 850 Joules or 22500 A
- It has a weather-resistant design and it is thermally protected.
- It comes with a rugged pull handle and a locking bracket.
- It has a protective cover over the main socket for added protection.
- It comes with no instruction manuals for the locking bracket.
Bottom Line
The locking bracket is given to secure the surge protector to the RV. It might be difficult for new users to install a locking bracket but a quick YouTube search will give you plenty of tutorials on how to do it.
9. Camco 55313 | Cheap Surge Protector
The thing about RVs is that they all vary in style based on the user. Some may contain a more homely vibe with a bed and kitchen and sink. On the other hand, some may include a lot of electronics inside such as a TV, sound systems, stereos, and so on.
If you plan on having an RV with several electronic devices then it is of utmost importance to have a proper surge protector. And nothing better for such cases than the Camco 55313.
This particular surge protector has got diagnostic LED Lights. These provide the users with a visual indication of any sort of faults with the source. It is especially helpful to check if the source is faulty or not before plugging in your RV.
There is an integrated surge protection that provides coverage up to 4200 Joules. Apart from that, the Camco 55313 will not only protect your RV from any sort of power surges, it will also keep all the electronics inside safe.
The surge protector comes with power grip handles. This ensures that the plugging and unplugging of the device safer and easier for the user.
This item is also weather resistant. That means it can withstand various harsh weather conditions when installed in an upright position. It can endure heavy rainfall, storms, or even strong winds. In other words, no matter the condition, your RV will stay safe.
- It contains Diagnostic LED Lights.
- Integrated Surge Protection up till 4200 Joules.
- It is designed to be weather resistant.
- It comes with power grip handles for easier use.
- Does not protect against high or low voltage.
Bottom Line
The basic task of surge protectors is to ensure the device they are connected to don’t get damaged due to sudden surges in the power. The Camco 55313 is doing that perfectly. Experiencing low or high voltages will not critically damage your RV.
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10. Surge Guard 44280| Energy Efficient Surge Protector
All RVs are known for their high power consumption. It is no surprise though given that not only are you running a big vehicle, but you are also running a mobile home along with it.
For such reasons, you need a proper surge protector, such as the Surge Guard 44280. The Surge Guard has been listed by UL as one of the top surge protectors to meet the high demands of an RV.
This particular surge protector is known for analyzing circuits to identify the power supply status. It can also check for open ground, open neutral, correct polarity and reversed lines or ground.
It has a rating of 120 V or 30 A. The Surge Guard 44280 also contains the surge protection indicator feature as well as thermal sensor. All these are used to indicate if there is any form of overheating of the plug or receptacle. It ensures the user can avoid any sort of accident that may occur.
Surge Guard 44280 is also designed to be weather resistant. It can withstand almost all sorts of weather conditions when placed in the outdoors. It also happens to come with a rain-proof cover so that you can keep this and the other plug dry during rainfall.
- It analyzes circuits to identify power supply status and faults.
- It has a rating of 120 V or 30 A.
- It contains a thermal sensor and a surges protection indicator.
- It is designed to be weather resistant.
- It has a low surge capacity of just 2100 Joules
Bottom Line
Compared to other surge protectors this one has a low surge capacity. However, given that you can run diagnostics of the power supply before plugging the RV, you can save yourself from sudden power surges so a low surge capacity will not affect you much.
11. Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector| Industrial Grade Surge Protector
What if you could protect more than just the RV with your surge protector? What if you could directly protect all the electronics and appliances in your RV individually? That would be great right?
In that case, the latest surge protector from Belkin will allow you to live that dream with their 12 outlet power strip surge protector. This beast of a device contains six regular outlets and six Block Space outlets to accommodate the oversized power adaptors.
This surge protector has got an intelligent circuit design that will detect as well as fix the power needs of all of your devices including the RV. This ensures that all your devices and the RV run at their optimal level.
Belkin contains different lights to indicate the safety conditions when plugged in. The green “Protected” indicator light will confirm that the devices are secured. The red “Not-grounded” indicator light will flick to show that the outlet is not correctly grounded.
The overall design of the surge protector is made with the concept of heavy-duty in mind. This means it was designed to last longer and resist damage.
The surge protector has a spike capacity of 3940 Joules. It comes with an 8 feet long cord that gives you enough mobility to place the device anywhere and still be in use.
- 12 outlet surge protector for individual devices.
- An 8 feet long power cable for maximum mobility.
- A surge/spike rating of 3940 Joules or 6000v maximum.
- It is highly durable and built to last a long time.
- The size might be too big to hide in an RV
Bottom Line
Given the great number of things it can do, the overall size of this product should be the least of concerns for the users.
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RV Surge Protector Buying Guide
Maximum Spike Protection Capacity
One thing about using an RV is that there is no guarantee where you will be parking next to or where you will be charging your vehicle. The power surges could be different depending on the place.
The faulty park charge could spike something in the hundreds while charging from a home depot could see a spike in the thousands. Sometimes you may encounter a storm and get hit by lightning. Either way, there will be power surges of varies degrees.
It is up to you to find the surge protector with the maximum spike protection capacity. This can vary depending on your RV’s needs. If it’s a small RV then you can scale down the requirements. If you use a lot of electronics inside your RV then the requirements should be higher.
Either way, some surge protectors can withstand up to 45000 Joules, while others can contain 1500 amps and so on. The ratings vary on the surge protectors but they roughly end up staying the same capacity. So make sure you do your research before purchasing.
Replaceable Surge/ Spike Unit
This is one of the features of surge protectors that are great if you have them but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t. Most surge protectors are like sacrificial devices. They will absorb the surge in power and damage themselves, thus protecting your RV or any other devices.
Now, when this does happen, your surge protector is dead and of no use. You will have to buy a new one to ensure your RV stays protected from future power surges.
However, a lot of surge protectors now come with replaceable surge or spike units. These are basic components of the device which will take the surplus power and die without damaging the whole surge protector. In other words, you will not have to buy a whole new surge protector.
With these replaceable units, your overall costs come down as you will now only have to replace a small part instead of the entire thing.
Unavailability of the replaceable units will not affect your overall performance of the surge protector but buying one that has it will sure make your life easier. So make sure you seek out the surge guards that contain this feature.
Cable Length
Having a good cable length will allow you mobility to work without restrictions.
Also keep in mind that your RV is already packed, so an unnecessary amount of cables will make the place even more congested. You may even trip on those excessive wires. So make sure you get the right length of cable when buying surge protectors.
Overall Size
There is already a limited amount of space in your RV with all the equipment and fixtures. A lot of people may think surge protectors are not necessary and avoid them to clear up space. This might cost you hundreds down the road.
To strike a balance, you should consider the overall size of the surge protectors. A small compact device will allow you to store it away easily when not in use. Having clunky big surge protectors will make your RV look untidy and disrupt the aesthetics.
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Frequently Asked Question [FAQ]
- Will A Surge Protector Save Some Money On The Power Bill?
- I Have Never Faced Any Surging Issues. Do I Need To Buy A Surge Protector?
- Do I Have To Buy A New Surge Protector Every Time There Is A Surge?
- Will My Surge Protector Help My Device During High Or Low Voltages?
- What Will Happen To My RV If I Don’t Get A Surge Protector?
- Does The Rating On The Surge Protector Matter When It Comes To Surging?
Answer: Not really. A surge protector isn’t an energy cost saving device. Rather it is more of a safety net for your devices or RVs to stop sufferings from damages due to a spike in power. A surge protector is used to block excessive energy.
Answer: If you haven’t faced any surging issues then you are lucky. However, given that you are always on the move with your RV, the power supply may vary and surge. At the same time, you can be hit by lightning which is when a surge protector will be of great help. So yes, you should get a surge protector.
Answer: No. Surge protectors are designed in a way that will cut off the power supply to your device when there is a surge. It will then restart the power once it is stable. However, if there is a massive surge then the surge protector may burn out and then a replacement may be needed.
Answer: The basic function of a surge protector is to protect the device, i.e. RV from power surges. There are a couple of surge protectors that can help you with low or high voltages. But it is not always the case.
Answer: Your RV will run properly without a surge protector till there is a power surge while your RV is plugged in. This will damage your RV as well as the appliances running inside the RV.
Answer: Yes. The ratings show how much that particular surge protector is capable of withstanding power surges. The bigger the rating, the more it can contain surges.
Final Thoughts
Surge protectors are very important for complex household electric devices. It is just as important for a big vehicle like an RV. You never know when a surge might happen, so it’s better to stay prepared.
Keeping all these in mind one should make a well-informed decision when buying surge protectors. Vital criteria such as spike capacity, replacement units, and cable lengths play a big role.
We have tried to give you the list of the best surge protector for RV with details. Give it a deep look, and you should get the perfect item for your RV.
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