Surge Guard 34830 - User Manual

Surge Guard protects your RV from low quality or incorrect shore power.
Normally, shore power should be around 115 –120 Volts AC. When power falls too far outside this range it represents
a poor or hazardous condition to your RV’s electrical system. Surge Guard provides protection to your RV by turning
off power when the line voltage L1 falls below 102 Volts AC or goes above 132 Volts AC.
Surge Guard also protects your electrical system from a Reverse Polarity condition which indicates that the Hot and
Neutral lines of shore power are swapped or reversed. This can be hazardous to equipment and safety. Surge Guard
will not connect power to your RV until the Reverse Polarity fault is corrected.
In the event your Surge Guard is not functioning as expected, perform the following troubleshooting steps in order to
determine and correct any malfunctions. Note: Testing should be performed with AC units and electrical appliances
turned off, then veried with appliances turned on.
Connect the shore power cord to a 120V, 30A power source. The LCD screen will display “DELAY” for 128 seconds
while the Surge Guard is monitoring the incoming power.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Model 34830
30A Portable Surge Guard
®
with LCD Display
PROBLEM TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
Coach powers up after 128 seconds but then turns off after another
8-10 seconds.
The Surge Guard may be operating properly, and you may have a low
voltage condition. In this case, turn off as many loads as possible. It is
not safe to operate some equipment with low voltage. Verify that the
input voltage is greater than 102VAC with loads turned on and off.
Coach does not power up after 128 seconds after connecting to shore
power.
Check the LCD display and the Caution When Flashing light (Red LCD).
Check voltage with voltmeter at connection.
LCD shows a fault such as L1 or L1 High and the Caution When Flash-
ing light is blinking.
There could be an open conductor or unsafe power. Check the input
connections and shore power cord.
L1 is within range (102 – 132VAC) and there is no power. Call TRC Technical Support at 1-800-780-4324.
LCD screen displays “REVERSE POLARITY” and the Caution When
Flashing light is blinking
Shore power connections are reversed and you have an unsafe condi-
tion. In this case notify your park of the condition in order to correct the
fault.
A fault occurs such as a low or a high voltage during normal operation
when shore power is within good operating range
Surge Guard will turn off power to the RV and will display a fault mes-
sage on the LCD display. If the power returns to normal, Surge Guard
will display “DELAY” on the LCD screen and will wait 128 seconds
before turning power to the RV back on.
For technical assistance, please call 1-800-780-4324 x 20311
TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC A Southwire Company
5250 140th Avenue North ▪ Clearwater, Florida 33760
506-00019A
1. Low Voltage – If the input voltage drops below 102VAC for more than 8 seconds, the power will be removed protecting your electronics. This
condition may be caused by overloading the park’s power grid. Try reducing your loads. Otherwise, do not operate until power is restored to
safe levels.
2. High Voltage – If the input voltage increases above 132VAC for more than 8 seconds, power will be removed. In Generator mode, check for
load balance. Check the generator’s voltage regulator and adjust to safe operating levels.
3. Line 1, Line 2 or Neutral Open – Check all input wiring to the Surge Guard. Check the shore power cord and wiring from the generator if
applicable. Check/replace adapter if reducing down to 120V, 20A service. Notify park for shore power problems if applicable.
4. Caution When Flashing Light – If the caution light is on bright, there is high voltage on the ground or neutral wires. If the light is dimly lit, there
is a low voltage on the neutral wire. It is not uncommon for 2 to 3 volts to be on the neutral wire with respect to ground.
MODEL 34830
RV P ower P rotection
URGE
S
U ARD G URGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGEURGE U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD U ARD
POWER PROTECTION
561-00966A
POWER ON
CAUTION WHEN FLASHING
www.SurgeGuard.com
120V, 30 Amp
2450 Joules of Surge Protection
SURGE
(No Protection When Lit)

Summary

Surge Guard RV Power Protection Troubleshooting

Understanding Surge Guard Operation

Explains Surge Guard's protection against low/high voltage and reverse polarity.

Troubleshooting Common RV Power Issues

Addresses common problems like no power, intermittent power, and fault indicators.

Detailed Fault Condition Analysis

Details specific fault causes: low voltage, high voltage, open circuits, and caution light behavior.

Surge Guard Error Code Explanations

Surge Expended Error Code

Indicates the surge protection has been sacrificed and the unit needs replacement.

Open Ground Error Code

Alerts to an open ground condition, requiring voltage check and potential power source change.

Reverse Polarity Error Code

Indicates the line and neutral wires are swapped, a hazardous condition.

High Voltage Error Code

Signals voltage exceeding recommended operation, advising to lower source voltage.

Low Voltage Error Code

Indicates voltage below recommended operation, advising to raise source voltage.

Current High Error Code

Means current exceeds recommended operation, check connections and voltages.

Over-Temperature Error Code

Indicates temperature exceeds recommended operation, advising to disconnect and cool.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications (Derived from troubleshooting parameters)
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Surge Guard Model 34830 is a 30A portable RV power protection device with an LCD display, designed to safeguard recreational vehicles from low-quality or incorrect shore power. Its primary function is to monitor incoming AC power and disconnect the RV's electrical system if the power falls outside safe operating parameters, thereby protecting sensitive electronics and ensuring safety.

Function Description:

The device continuously monitors the shore power for various anomalies. Normally, shore power should be around 115-120 Volts AC. The Surge Guard provides protection by automatically turning off power if the line voltage (L1) drops below 102 Volts AC or rises above 132 Volts AC. This prevents damage to RV appliances and systems that can occur due to undervoltage or overvoltage conditions.

Beyond voltage regulation, the Surge Guard also protects against "Reverse Polarity." This hazardous condition occurs when the Hot and Neutral lines of the shore power are swapped. Reverse polarity can damage equipment and pose a safety risk. The Surge Guard will not connect power to the RV until this fault is corrected, ensuring a safe electrical connection.

The device features an LCD screen that displays real-time information and fault messages. When first connected to a 120V, 30A power source, the LCD screen will display "DELAY" for 128 seconds. During this delay, the Surge Guard monitors the incoming power to ensure it is safe before allowing power to flow to the RV. If a fault is detected, the LCD will display a specific error code, and a "Caution When Flashing" light (Red LCD) will blink, indicating an unsafe condition.

Important Technical Specifications (Derived from troubleshooting parameters):

• Voltage Operating Range: 102VAC to 132VAC. Power is disconnected if voltage falls outside this range.
• Amperage: 30A (as indicated by "30A Portable Surge Guard").
• Delay Time: 128 seconds upon initial connection or after a fault correction, during which the unit monitors incoming power.
• Fault Detection:
  • Low Voltage (below 102VAC for more than 8 seconds)
  • High Voltage (above 132VAC for more than 8 seconds)
  • Reverse Polarity
  • Open Ground
  • Any Line Wired to Neutral
  • Current High (current exceeds recommended operation)
  • Over-Temperature (temperature exceeds recommended operation)
  • Surge Expended (built-in surge protection has been sacrificed)

Usage Features:

• Automatic Disconnection: The unit automatically disconnects power to the RV if unsafe voltage levels (below 102VAC or above 132VAC) or other hazardous conditions like reverse polarity are detected.
• Automatic Reconnection: If a fault occurs and the power returns to normal operating range, the Surge Guard will display "DELAY" and wait 128 seconds before reconnecting power to the RV, ensuring stability.
• Diagnostic Display: The LCD screen provides clear fault messages (e.g., "L1 High," "L1 Low," "REVERSE POLARITY," "OPEN GROUND," "CUR HIGH," "PLUG OVERHEAT," "REPLACE SURGE") and a "Caution When Flashing" light to alert the user to specific power issues.
• Portable Design: Its portable nature allows for easy connection between the shore power pedestal and the RV's power cord.
• User-Friendly Troubleshooting: The manual provides a comprehensive troubleshooting guide with specific problems, corresponding troubleshooting steps, and detailed error code descriptions, enabling users to diagnose and often resolve issues themselves.

Maintenance Features:

• Self-Monitoring for Surge Protection: The device monitors its internal surge protection components. If the built-in surge protection has been sacrificed to protect the RV's equipment, the LCD will display "REPLACE SURGE," indicating that the unit needs replacement to maintain its protective capabilities.
• Temperature Monitoring: The unit monitors its own operating temperature. If an "OVER-TEMPERATURE" fault occurs, the device will disconnect power, and the user is advised to allow it to cool completely before reconnecting. If the issue persists, replacement may be recommended.
• Diagnostic Assistance: The troubleshooting guide encourages users to check connections, use a voltmeter to verify voltages, and reduce loads as initial steps for maintenance and problem resolution.
• Technical Support: For complex issues, the manual provides contact information for TRC Technical Support, ensuring professional assistance is available.

In summary, the Surge Guard Model 34830 is an essential safety and protection device for RV owners, providing robust defense against common and hazardous shore power problems through continuous monitoring, automatic disconnection, and clear diagnostic feedback. Its portable design and comprehensive troubleshooting support make it a valuable tool for maintaining the electrical integrity and safety of an RV.

Surge Guard 34830 Specifications

General

Brand	Surge Guard
Model	34830
Category	Surge Protector
Language	English