I finally finished the install of my Surge Guard. Although it is the hard wired model, I made it removable in case of problems. I added a plug and receptacle to the unit and then cut the power cord and did the same thing. I now have the ability to remove it from the circuit and plug the power cord back together.

Good move. I did the same thing for both the SurgeGuard and the Autoformer. Most of the time I don't need the autoformer but it can easily and quickly be hooked into the circuit if required.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ghamblen,

Good work...I wish now I would have installed my hard wire model as you did, but just glad to have it either way.

If I decide to install an Autoformer, where does it go in the circuit? Before or after the Surge Guard?

Place the autoformer after the surgeguard so that the surgeguard will protect everything, including the autoformer.

My set up is a bit different. I have the Progressive Industries 50 amp EMS hardwired.

My power chord is wired into the EMS. On the other side a 50 amp male chord plugs into my freestanding Hughes Autoformer. The Autoformer then plugs into a 50 amp recepticle hardwired to the converter.

With this setup I can simply unplug and remove the Autoformer and plug the EMS directly to the converter. I have done this only once when I had to send my Autoformer to Hughes for repair.

quote:

Originally posted by ghamblen:
Good move. I did the same thing for both the SurgeGuard and the Autoformer. Most of the time I don't need the autoformer but it can easily and quickly be hooked into the circuit if required.

You can't know in advance that you are not going to need the AutoFormer as it protects you from low voltage before it gets too bad while the SurgeGuard only shuts you down when the voltage has gone past where the AutoFormer will have already kicked in. I monitored mine at home when I first got it and even though all looked fine when I first plugged it in, it automatically kicked in several times a day to deal with voltage events that did not trigger the SurgeGuard. If you wait for the SurgeGuards voltage trigger to shut you down before pugging in the AutoFormer you probably will have had multiple power events that will over the long term reduce the lifespan of your AC and other electical equipment.

Always plug in the AutoFormer just like you always carry Fire and Loss Insurance that way you will always be protected from the many unnoticed events that will occur.

Always use your surge guard , I forgot to use mine and it cost me to have my sat system to be replaced.

I'm following this discussion, and currently have no protection beyond factory, and wondering, what is the advantage in hardwiring the surge protector?

I did not want to use a portable and tempt someone to "borrow" it. I also read somewhere that the hard wired was a better built unit. The power cord on my Coach is hardwired in the electrical bay so just putting a portable unit in the electrical bay was not an option. I went with the hard wired model and made it removal if needed.