50 amp surge protector

[barbhalsell]

Well Richard, that is a shame that you bought a hard wired surge guard and do not feel capable of installing it. Honestly, I personally would not feel capable either. However, my husband Jack has done the usual handyman electrical jobs around the house and installed ours. Of course I scoured every post on surge guards I could find in all the RV forums that I read, also studied all the images that google brought up. In the end, I did have a good idea of how it should be done and of course filled Jack's ear with all this helpful info LOL!
If you could hang on to it until you camp next to someone who has actually installed one, then you would have the confidence to do so and probably lots of help.
In the meantime, buy a lock box like this
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/surge-guard-universal-lock-hasp/44333
to protect your portable.
Barb

[Keith Cooper]

Someone recently posted that there is little opportunity for finding competence in the south.  And that it seems the better sources for Beaver repairs and maintenance are in the NW of US.

Richard,
There are competent repair facilities across the country including the South.  A good source to find local repair facilities is http://www.rvservicereviews.com/ . This web site is also a good place to post both positive and negative comments about a facility. We live North of Atlanta and RV Service Reviews is how we located the facility we use in Auburn, Ga. However, we don't take the coach to the repair facility for everything. I do some of the work myself like replacing the power transfer relay and installing the surge protector. If it happens to be a task I am not comfortable with or don't want to do myself I will evaluate the task to be performed and determine where to take the coach.  Why pay an RV facility over $100 per hour labor to perform tasks that can be done professionally for significantly lower labor rates. For example rather than having an RV repair facility changing engine oil  and filters Speedco will do the same job at a significantly lower labor rate.
the installation of the surge protector is a fairly straightforward process and all of the additional  parts needed (wire & connectors) can be obtained from Lowe's or Home Depot. If you want to wait until you return to Atlanta I will be happy to help you with the surge protector.

[Edward Buker]

Richard,

Don't feel foolish. You changed your mind given some time constraints and the issues at hand. That job of hard wiring the surge guard could be done by anyone who is reasonably competent, so if after this trip you find that you would a prefer hardwired version, get it installed and sell the portable.

I think we all have the issue of who will do some servicing when we do not live near Bend. If you ask around and find who is competent and build up a confidence in their service then over time you will feel better about ownership. You will need a shop that can handle filter changes, general engine and transmission service as well as brake and suspension work over the years. Freightliner dealers with a good reputation may be a good source to start with.

There are some specialty things like the air conditioning system, some of the leveling systems, monitor systems, slide problems, where it would be best to go to Bend or the Wildwood Facility in FL which would be closer to you in Atlanta.

You either have to service the coach yourself or find the better resources near you and trust them to handle what they know. Avoid the jack legs the best you can. The folks on the forum do not want anyone to be paralyzed regarding getting service, if something really needs to be fixed or it is something that is not unique to a Beaver and general knowledge exists. Atlanta is a big enough area and there must be some good service folks around there. If you see other Beaver or Country Coach owners in your area it would be worth asking. Have a safe and fun trip.

Later Ed

[Gerald Farris]

Richard,
I think that the estimate of 3 hours labor that you received to install a hardwired Surge Guard is ridiculous. I have installed three of them (for myself and friends) and it has never taken more than one hour to accomplish. It is very simple, it is not brain surgery. If we cross paths in the future, I will install it for you, free.

Gerald

[Richard Cooper]

Dear Barb -- thank you for your post and the link to the lock.  I considered that lock and thought it would be ideal, but was influenced by the 3 negative reviews on it at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/34590-Surge-Guard-Lock-Hasp/product-reviews/B002OUQI3W/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

All these people say it's a waste of money and provides no security.

I need a better solution.  Does anyone else secure theirs in any particular way?

I thought about using some of those long plas-ties that lock in place and secure the portable protector to the pedestal.  And I read one post in another thread in which someone said something about covering the pedestal with a waterproof bag or cover of some kind (which may even hide the surge guard hanging down).  But when you are ready to break camp you use a whatchamycallit snipper tool and remove the plas-ties of course being careful not to damage the surge guard.  Geesh, I need to learn the terminology.

I know some of you think I am a green toad, but hey, I was raised in a home that had no screwdriver, no hammer, nothing.  If something needed fixing my dad call someone to come do it.  I have more tools now than I've ever had in my life.  I can do things --- I would love to learn to do lots more.  

As for competence in the south -- I know there are some good places, but I was referring to places familiar with Beaver.  Or is Beaver not that special?  One thing about my Beaver is the brakes which cannot be lubricated like other brakes --- requires a special clay based grease.  How would a mechanic know that or not?  Do they research a rig model number and year prior to lubricating the brakes?  Because if I had not learned it from Gerald last week I would not have known myself.

The gentleman from near Atlanta referred me to the rv service in Auburn, GA.  I am familiar with them.  I would like to discuss this with you sometime.

Thanks for all the replies and help.

[Richard Cooper]

Thank you Gerald.  I would love to meet you and your wife Glenda (who also contributes greatly to the operation of BAC).  I don't think I will be able to make the rally in NY, but if it wasn't so dang hot I would drive to Texas and try to pay you to educate me.  

Richard

Richard,
I think that the estimate of 3 hours labor that you received to install a hardwired Surge Guard is ridiculous. I have installed three of them (for myself and friends) and it has never taken more than one hour to accomplish. It is very simple, it is not brain surgery. If we cross paths in the future, I will install it for you, free.

Gerald

[Joel Weiss]

As new full-timers we have had to get service, quickly, in several different parts of the country.  By asking locals for recommendations we have done pretty well; only one time have we later found the work to not have been done properly.  One thing we find effective is not going to RV service centers when the problem we have is not related to an RV-specific issue.  For example, I'd much rather have my engine serviced at a CAT dealer or my generator by a Cummins shop than I would hope that an unknown RV center knows how to resolve my problems.  Similarly, most chassis issues can be dealt with my major truck repair centers.

[Richard Cooper]

Are you saying your Onan generator is best serviced by a Cummins dealer?

[Mandy Canales]

Richard...As I have walked around several campgrounds and noticed the portable Autoformers on the pedestals I've also noticed that many of them are chain locked to the pedestal.  They must have an attachment to the Autoformer that will receive a chain and when you place the chain under the electrical box on the pedestal with a lock on it, it seems to be very well protected.  Just a thought.
Mandy [size=14][/size]

[Gerald Farris]

Richard,
Cummins owns Onan. So Cummins and Onan are the same company for all intents and purposes. Most Cummins dealers, but not all, are factory Onan service centers.

Gerald

[Richard Cooper]

Richard...As I have walked around several campgrounds and noticed the portable Autoformers on the pedestals I've also noticed that many of them are chain locked to the pedestal.  They must have an attachment to the Autoformer that will receive a chain and when you place the chain under the electrical box on the pedestal with a lock on it, it seems to be very well protected.  Just a thought.
Mandy [size=14][/size]

I can see chain locking an autoformer, but I am talking at the moment about the surge guard portable unit.  The autoformer is on my wish list.  Or are we talking about the same thing?  Now I'm confused.  

[Tom and Pam Brown]

Richard, I am in Atlanta as well and highly recommend Cummins South.  They have serviced my generator several times.  I also do alot of the work myself and am quite familiar with the systems.

I would imagine Cummins can install the surge protector.  Speak with Bill Thomas at the RV service counter and tell him I referred you to them.  I used to work with Bill.

If you need some advice or info give me a call I am located in Hampton by the raceway.

Of course we all would like to have Gerald handy he is the best!

Send me a private message and I will give you my number.

[Richard Cooper]

Right now my generator is working like a charm.  But I'm writing all this down so that if the time comes I'll know where to go.

Hampton -- that's where the road races are, right?  I am on my trip right now and actually located in Augusta, GA until the middle of next week.  From here I'm heading north --- in search of cooler weather.  

[Tom and Pam Brown]

Richard, try River Vista in Dillard very nice place and normally about 10 degrees cooler.

Safe travels

[Dave Porter]

Greetings,

I know this is slightly off topic but I'm absolutely amazed about the number of Beaver owners in the Atlanta area responding to this thread.  If you hook up with Keith to do the install, I'd love to look over your shoulders (I live in Gainesville) as I view this as a tremendous learning opportunity.  And if you organize a local "meet and greet" (mentioned on another thread) we'd love to attend.   We are still members of the working poor, so a weekend would be best.  I'll second the nomination of River Vista made by Tom and Pam as a possible location.  If you decide you'd like professional installation of your autoformer, I've used Appalachee RV in Auburn and haven't had a negative experience.  And if you want to go really nuts, maybe you would want to consider a trial visit with the Georgia Mountaineers (www.georgiamountaineers.org).  It's a great group of folks though most haven't been enlightened about the Beaver brand.