Portable Surge Protector

[rsn48]

In the RV world, many have some kind of surge protection, either built in or portable. Yet when I walk the marinas, I see pretty much zero portable surge protectors.

I have something like the portable surge protector in the link, my question is, to me, it seems so obvious to use one, yet no one is, is there something I don't know about them that negatively impacts a boat? I have one I have used with my Winnebago 32 motorhome, I am thinking of using it on my boat.

https://www.amazon.ca/Surge-Guard-4...ocphy=9001446&hvtargid=pla-490925354822&psc=1

 

[Comodave]

We have a surge protector for our RV, but have never really even thought about having one on the boat. Maybe there aren’t as many surges in marinas???

 

[rsn48]

Maybe there aren’t as many surges in marinas???

I suspect the reverse to be true, on average I suspect better wiring at RV parks. Just easier to maintain. In my old home in Deep Cove, North Vancouver, we had a bad surge in our house from a storm, took out some electronics. When I renovated my current home in Qualicum Beach, I had an in house surge protector added, we have lots of power outages here because of all the wind storms we get. Another one tomorrow.

 

[tpbrady]

Even tied to shore power none of my critical electronics use 110v, they are all 12VDC more or less protected from surges by the batteries. I guess the battery charger and TV are exposed but the TV is on a surge protected power strip.

Tom

 

[rsn48]

Most of my electronics and electrical are 12 volt, however my Victron smart charger isn't cheap, my water heater is partially AC and I have two heaters, lower watts (one for engine room area). So the surge protector is roughly $100 + (I bought a good one in 2016 but I can't remember exactly how much) and could protect a smart charger and other smaller goodies. But it isn't just the charger but the installation of a new one, etc.