[Robnlaura]

I did love this comment by a buyer
“ my HVAC Capacitor was getting blown out every summer season from the electric company, and their rolling blackouts.
This would require Eddie, my local HVAC guy to come out for $99 and $25 for the capacitor.
So I did a little research and you should to.

Eddie now cleans the pool”

[metoo21]

///

[metoo21]

Originally Posted by Robnlaura

Good info to have I use the Intermatic on each mini split probably overkill but very easy to install.. on a outside ac unit just as easy to install..
Intermatic AG3000 120/240 VAC Universal HVAC Surge Protective Device - Comprehensive Surge Protection, TPMOV Technology, Watertight Enclosure - UL Listed and Reliable https://a.co/d/5KecR0x

This is a little better unit that provides some other protection like for brownouts, short cycle, etc. A little more expensive but worth it. Intermatic CD1-024R Compressor Defender Protects Central Air Conditioner / Heat Pump Compressors and Circuit Boards

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

My HVAC fan would not shut off. The HVAC technician diagnosed it as a faulty fan motor control module and replaced it -- a very expensive repair. He said it's a VERY common problem at the Villages due to voltage surges which is detrimental to the low voltage mechanism in the module. I told him I had the SECO surge mitigator, but he said that would not help, but he did offer a special surge protector for the HVAC unit (~$200). I don't know how much of that is upselling and how much is true, but that's my experience.

How did he know your issue was caused by a voltage surge? I think he just made it up.

[Keefelane66]

I'm waiting for retired Electrical Engineers' opinion “VT”

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Robnlaura

Good info to have I use the Intermatic on each mini split probably overkill but very easy to install.. on a outside ac unit just as easy to install..
Intermatic AG3000 120/240 VAC Universal HVAC Surge Protective Device - Comprehensive Surge Protection, TPMOV Technology, Watertight Enclosure - UL Listed and Reliable https://a.co/d/5KecR0x

The Intermatic AG3000 is a very good surge protector for hard wired devices. I have one installed at my HVAC unit outside and at the breaker box by my Hot Tub in addition to the Eaton at the circuit breaker box. Remember a layered approach is best.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Robnlaura

BRNSURGE Type BR Whole-Panel Circuit Breaker Surge Protective Device $61 bucks read the comments about how easy it is to install.. but worth paying an electrician if you don’t want the hassle! Eaton BRNSURGE Type BR Whole-Panel Circuit Breaker Surge Protective Device https://a.co/d/eJBt0OL

The BRNSURGE is good and easy to install but the CHSPT2ULTRA has a much higher surge capacity.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by dmwalsh33

I have a surge protector on my outside AC unit. The company now tells me I need a surge protector on the inside air handler. Is that necessary? Thank you for your assistance!

It can't hurt and it is cheap.

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by Randall55

Things are quite different in the Villages. MANY MANY have had electronics and appliances blown due to lightning strikes. You do not have to be hit directly. One strike can cause electronic problems on the entire street

Absolutely! We have heard of many random surge issues even on sunny days due to power company problems which have caused damage to garage door openers, TVs, etc.

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by jrref

The BRNSURGE is good and easy to install but the CHSPT2ULTRA has a much higher surge capacity.

You are correct The BRNSURGE is a lower grade. We do not stock this unit for our service department. We recommend the top of the line option from Eaton, the Type 2 Ultra as it is backed with the limited lifetime warranty and $75,000 in damage coverage.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

How did he know your issue was caused by a voltage surge? I think he just made it up.

Surge voltages area a very common/likely failure mode for electronics that have been on service for a period of time.

Sometimes the failure does not occur immediately. The surge initially weakens the component (makes it pregnant...) but it doesn't fail until a later point in time.

If you have damage from a surge or lightening strike, it's common additional components to fail days/weeks after.

In my former life, we would retreive failed critical system components and perform testing/analysis to identify the cause of component failures.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by FredMitchell

I was struck by the fact that LPS was not even an option in a designer home here. My two previous houses in Princeton did have them. They were on a ridge between 250 and 400 feet MSL (above sea level). In the first, we had lightning strike a tree about 150 feet from the front of one house. There were chunks of wood from the explosion of the trunk on our front porch. Four foot sections about 50 feet from the trunk. The surge also triggered the window alarms (or the thunder did, not clear which).

I think I have only seen about 3 or 4 houses here with LPS, all in the same neighborhood. When and where are the presentations? How do we find this valuable information?

The Villages installs LPS on critical infrastructure including many buildings in the squares, emergency response buildings, pump stations, etc.

You're most likely to see residental LPS near homes that have previously been stuck by lightening

I'm aware of at least three homes within 3mi of Everglades Rec center stuck, two severely damaged by fire, and repair had not started over a year later.

Homes south of 44 have metallic flexible gas lines in the attic. Strikes have occurred at the front corner of the garage where a steel pipe connects gas from there meter to flexible gas line in the attic.

There's other threads with more info if you want to search.

Lightning Strikes in The Villages

5775 Henry Loop Linden Isle, June 2023

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Altavia

The Villages installs LPS on critical infrastructure including many buildings in the squares, emergency response buildings, pump stations, etc.

You're most likely to see residental LPS near homes that have previously been stuck by lightening

I'm aware of at least three homes within 3mi of Everglades Rec center stuck, two severely damaged by fire, and repair had not started over a year later.

Homes south of 44 have metallic flexible gas lines in the attic. Strikes have occurred at the front corner of the garage where a steel pipe connects gas from there meter to flexible gas line in the attic.

There's other threads with more info if you want to search.

All good information we talk about in our Lightning Study Group presentation, and in addition, when we talk to people about Lightning Protection systems most of the time the attitude is "It will never happen to me". Although the probability is relatively low, when a home in a Village gets hit especially if it burns down to the ground then many in that Village get a system. For an average Designer home the cost to install one is approximately $2,500. The price may be higher or lower depending on your homes size so you need to get an estimate. Deciding to invest in a system depends on your risk tolerance for this type of disaster. Please note that Lightning Protection Systems i.e. lightning rod grounding systems is a totally separate system from Surge Protection. LPS systems will protect your home from burning down to the ground if it takes a direct hit where Surge Protection protects your homes devices if lightning strikes near by and a surge is induced through the air or some other pathway to your home. If you are thinking of getting an estimate for a Lightning Protection System you want a UL certified installer. These three companies are certified and do many residential installations in the Villages.
A-1 LIGHTNING PROTECTION
352-465-0620

CENTRAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION
407-380-6995

TRIANGLE LIGHTNING PROTECTION
352-483-7020

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Surge voltages area a very common/likely failure mode for electronics that have been on service for a period of time.

Sometimes the failure does not occur immediately. The surge initially weakens the component (makes it pregnant...) but it doesn't fail until a later point in time.

If you have damage from a surge or lightening strike, it's common additional components to fail days/weeks after.

In my former life, we would retreive failed critical system components and perform testing/analysis to identify the cause of component failures.

It didn't sound like he was going to do any testing to determine why the electronics failed. It sounded to me like he was making an off-the-cuff remark in order to sell a surge protector.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It didn't sound like he was going to do any testing to determine why the electronics failed. It sounded to me like he was making an off-the-cuff remark in order to sell a surge protector.

Understood, and good to be sceptical and get a second opinion.

However, based at least on my education and experience, and how much lightening we get here, I agree that a surge was a likely cause. The service tech probably had the same guidance from their experiences/training.

My general rule of thumb is if the cost to protect was more than 10% of the cost to replace, I'd probably not go for it.

Maybe higher if it risks going without air conditioning in August