Surge protector lock??

[bruceb]

What kind of locks work best to attach your surge protector to the power post??
Newb here, have not used our TT yet and just getting set up.
Thanks

[backtrack15]

I have a Master Lock 719D. It is only adequate for keeping honest people honest.

[bruceb]

so, a cable lock of some kind??

[akeagle]

I attached a 3 foot length of medium chain to the cord part of my surge protector using one of those special links that has to be hammered closed - taking care to use use one big enough not to pinch the cord.

After plugging the protector I wrap the chain around the pedestal and use a padlock to secure the chain to itself at whatever point that won't allow the protector to be moved.

Yes, someone with a large bolt cutter could still steal it, but I'm thinking it would be foolish for anyone to believe they could get away with carrying one of those around a campground.

[backtrack15]

Yes.

https://www.masterlock.com/products/product/719D

[Wayne M]

Don't forget to put some type of locking cover on the length of your power cord. Don't want anyone to shut the power off and take the cord for the copper.

Seriously, locks are for honest people and to make it a tad harder to steal anything. Take the door to an RV. A nail puller or bar will pop the door open with no trouble at all.

Do I lock my surge protector? Only in a place that looks questionable, then I wonder why I'm there, Most times it is only for an overnight stop.

[bruceb]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Don't forget to put some type of locking cover on the length of your power cord. Don't want anyone to shut the power off and take the cord for the copper.

Seriously, locks are for honest people and to make it a tad harder to steal anything. Take the door to an RV. A nail puller or bar will pop the door open with no trouble at all.

Do I lock my surge protector? Only in a place that looks questionable, then I wonder why I'm there, Most times it is only for an overnight stop.

can you elaborate maybe with a picture on this "locking cover"?

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by bruceb

What kind of locks work best to attach your surge protector to the power post??
Newb here, have not used our TT yet and just getting set up.
Thanks

Thank you for posting this question.

I just bought one of those surge/low voltage/high voltage protectors and was wondering how long a cable I needed to secure it to the power pedestal. Since I rarely stop in an RV park I was not even sure how big the pedestals were around so I didn't know how long a cable to buy.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by bruceb

so, a cable lock of some kind??

This is what we used...

[creativepart]

I’ve been told... on this website no less that I am an idiot, so take that into consideration... but we don’t have any lock on our pricey EMS Surge protector. Never have had one. We’re camping on the beach at Goose Island State Park right now and our expensive surge protector is out there for any one to steal.

But as I said, I’m an idiot.

[backtrack15]

My master lock is only 1/2 step away from pure idiocy. It keeps toddlers from running off with the surge protector.

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by bruceb

can you elaborate maybe with a picture on this "locking cover"?

Bruce, I didn't say I had one and it was more of a tongue in cheek remark. I don't think there is such a device...hmmm! There is no way to keep a thief from stealing things from an RV, only slow them down a few seconds to a minute. We started RV'ing around 1974 and since then we have never had anything taken from us while RV'ing.

As I stated, there are times that I do lock my EMS-PT50X (replacement for old PT50C that got flooded), I went to Lowe's and purchased about 4 to 5 feet of heavy duty chain. Don't remember the diameter but it will tow a tractor trailer. The PT50X has a built in tab that I hook one Master Padlock to, wrap the chain around the pedestal below any outcropping protrusions or water faucet so it cannot be slipped upwards and lock it with another Master Padlock keyed the same. The length of chain gives me latitude for different situations. Bold cutters would void it all.

I would suggest one if those newfangled locks that are hard to cut. Back in my military day there were many of us who locked our key inside the locker we were assigned. We would take a 50 cent piece, place it on the lock sticking up above the curve of the lock and hit it with the heel of a shoe. The lock would pop open.

The best thing gotten out of locking it is peace of mind.

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by backtrack15

My master lock is only 1/2 step away from pure idiocy. It keeps toddlers from running off with the surge protector.

I think the purpose of most locks is to keep honest people from yielding to momentary temptation. A determined thief is going to take what he or she wants to take, or at least try. Also, if you are hooked up to shore power you are in an RV park and while someone might get away with removing a surge protector from an electric stand it would take some explaining and notice to get away with it by having to take bolt cutters to a chain while others are watching. That is the kind of thing that draws attention.

But also remember that most insurance will not cover things stolen if the house (or vehicle) is not locked, so I consider a lock and chain (or cable, or duct tape) a kind of insurance for my insurance.

[backtrack15]

Originally Posted by AJMike

...Also, if you are hooked up to shore power you are in an RV park...

I agree with your overall post (bolt cutters are suspicious), but I just want to put it on record that we are not RV park campers. The state parks and corp of engineers campgrounds in TX generally have power and water at each campsite. Like most of AZ, it's too blame hot here in the summer to go without AC.

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by backtrack15

I agree with your overall post (bolt cutters are suspicious), but I just want to put it on record that we are not RV park campers. The state parks and corp of engineers campgrounds in TX generally have power and water at each campsite. Like most of AZ, it's too blame hot here in the summer to go without AC.

Sorry. A difference in terminology I consider State Parks, National Forest Parks and COE Parks as RV parks and don't restrict that term to just commercial parks. My point was that if someone is connected to electricity (and not in their driveway) they are in an RV park of some kind and there are usually others around.

The same is not true for Boondocking (which we mostly do), WalDocking, CasinoDocking and the like, but then you don't have an electric pedestal and so don't have a problem with theft of any surge protector. What you do have is an increased threat of someone breaking into your RV to steal other stuff.

[Wayne M]

Most of those types of thefts are done sometime between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. I don't think anyone is going to be around to visual observe it. Most campers would not wake up. In newer model RV's similar to mine, if the electricity goes out the generator will start and that would definitely wake my wife up who would definitely wake me up...but by that time the damage is done.

I"m not going to loose any sleep worrying about it.

[bruceb]

Thanks for all your responses. I engraved our name in the TOP of the surge protector and will do the chain thing. Anything I can do to make the thief look for a simpler target is a good thing I think.

[Marine359]

All this makes a case for installing an EMS inside the RV. I don’t worry about the surge protector, but I do lock my bikes, and trailer tongue, and put the generator in truck bed with locking tonneau. Now, just got a Blackstone and stand. So easy for somebody to walk off with that. Missing my smash burgers already.

[DGundy]

I use a padlock on the power pole box. Many have holes to keep the cover closed. That's where I use the padlock.

[Drumfreak]

I read somewhere that a MH owner used to leave his surge protector in the electrical bay and then run an extension cord out through the bottom to the pole. A 50 amp extension cord of 25 feet will run you ballpark $125 maybe more.