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04-02-2014, 08:04 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
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Electrical Management System is worth the money..
Just thought I'd relay a little story to encourage any and all to consider getting an EMS like the Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C or 50C. We recently sold our camper and have our new one on order. I removed the EMS we had installed and told the new owner that I had run it with one but had removed it to use on our new camper. His first trip out he encountered a bad ground on his connection. He figure it out when he touched the camper and it shocked him. He immediately ran and turned the breaker off and unplugged the camper. Fortunately he only fried the converter. His sister was camped next to his site and it fried pretty much everything connected to the 110 in hers. This occurred at a local lake that we have stayed at. Needless to say, the EMS would have paid for itself by stopping this single event and a camping trip wouldn't have been ruined. They are definitely worth the $250-$350 investment, IMHO.
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04-02-2014, 08:23 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dustman_stx
... They are definitely worth the $250-$350 investment, IMHO.
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Completely agree. I just wish manufacturers would buy them in bulk from PI and factory install them and be done with it. Of course that would mean another manual buyers would never read .
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04-02-2014, 08:28 AM
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#3
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiscampsin
Completely agree. I just wish manufacturers would buy them in bulk from PI and factory install them and be done with it. Of course that would mean another manual buyers would never read .
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I concur!
TURBS
Sabre owners united!
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04-02-2014, 08:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiscampsin
Completely agree. I just wish manufacturers would buy them in bulk from PI and factory install them and be done with it. Of course that would mean another manual buyers would never read .
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Absolutely agree - heck, I use my EMS-HW50C when I am hooked to shore power at my house! All it takes is one surge....
A good point was made as well: in bulk, the on-board units would probably cost a third what they do aftermarket. Seems like this would be a good selling point, and FR could easily recoup the investment with a slight increase in price.
Another mod that should be standard IMHO: power cable reels. We have always had 20 or 30 AMP cables now that we have our 5er with a 50 AMP, I begin to realize what a BEAST that thing is to schlep around!
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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04-02-2014, 08:54 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Dillsburg, PA
Posts: 308
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I am going to get a 30 Amp PI this weekend before my 1st trip. Just cant decide if i want the HW or PT. Probably going with the portable since I don't know how to install it myself and probably can't get an appt to have someone else install it in time for my trip.
Am I crazy for not going HW? I dont see many differences on the PI website but maybe i missed something.
__________________
2013 Rockwood Mini 2503S
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L
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04-02-2014, 09:02 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,183
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X2 with Dustman. The cost of the unit is less than our deductible. I've heard it said "that's why I pay insurance". Figure what will save you more, your insurance deductible + the inconvenience of the trip you are on + the loss of use of the RV while it's in for repair or a EMS unit. It's a no brainer to me. The manufacturer doesn't install them so I will, just like good tires.
__________________
Joe & Beverly
2014 Ram 2500 CTD, CC, SB
2014 8289WS lifted
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04-02-2014, 09:30 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiscampsin
Completely agree. I just wish manufacturers would buy them in bulk from PI and factory install them and be done with it. Of course that would mean another manual buyers would never read .
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I concur too! That's something that should be optional at minimum, had I known the importance (I just never looked into it really until I sound out how wrong things can go with a 50A connection.) I'd have gotten one as part of the purchase of my rig.
They'll push the hell out of the extended warranty, but something sensible like EMS? Noooooooo
__________________
Now-2014 Sierra 346RETS 5er BUB
Then-2002 Keystone Springdale 286RLDS TT
Nights camped in 2014-28, 2015-127, 2016-10
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04-02-2014, 09:34 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 175
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I agree, that is should be a manufacuture install. We pick up our new 2014 Rockwood Roo IKSS in a couple weeks and plan on instling the PI unit prior to hooking it up to my house, never mind my first camping trip. After reading all the good advise from this site, it sounds like it will be well worth it and a peice of mind as well.
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04-02-2014, 09:42 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,183
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Things can and do go wrong with 30 amp as well as the 20 amp 120V with or without adapters. I agree with SKnight, they push the heck out of warranties but safety items such as the EMS units are never mentioned. At the very least the dealer should have these units in stock and educate the customer of there importance. Then again the sales person would need the education, most just want to move the inventory.
__________________
Joe & Beverly
2014 Ram 2500 CTD, CC, SB
2014 8289WS lifted
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04-02-2014, 09:46 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 170
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They are not going to offer the EMS, they make too much money off replacement parts and labor when you fry the electronics.....
__________________
Mike, Lisa and Jake
2002 Ford F250 CC 7.3
2013 Wildcat Sterling 32RL
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04-02-2014, 10:20 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S
I am going to get a 30 Amp PI this weekend before my 1st trip. Just cant decide if i want the HW or PT. Probably going with the portable since I don't know how to install it myself and probably can't get an appt to have someone else install it in time for my trip.
Am I crazy for not going HW? I dont see many differences on the PI website but maybe i missed something.
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In two words - probably not.
I took a look at the wiring in our unit and realized I am NOT a master electrician! The 50AMP shore power plug is in the back shoreside corner of our unit, and I that to the HW unit I was going to have to do some serious mods (that were far beyond my ability!)
Instead, I opted for the PT (and a good lock!) Someone also suggested a cable lock to wrap around the unit as added security
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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04-02-2014, 11:03 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S
I am going to get a 30 Amp PI this weekend before my 1st trip. Just cant decide if i want the HW or PT. Probably going with the portable since I don't know how to install it myself and probably can't get an appt to have someone else install it in time for my trip.
Am I crazy for not going HW? I dont see many differences on the PI website but maybe i missed something.
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I went with the hardwired version because I didn't want one more thing to lug around. I also wanted the digital readout in the camper so my wife would have something easy to read and know if she could turn on more appliances without tripping the breaker. I personally think just about anyone should be able to follow the directions and install one. If you have a pair of wire strippers and a phillips screwdriver, you're set (I think you'll need a #1 phillips and a #2, IIRC). Cut the cord coming into the camper, strip a few wires and screw them down. It is really pretty straight-forward. The main thing is to make SURE that you don't nick any wires when stripping the outer insulation and make sure you don't have any straggling wire strands not completely in the block when you screw them down. I've worked in mobile electronics for years and done some wiring, so maybe it's harder for many than it seems???
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04-02-2014, 11:07 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MMattox
They are not going to offer the EMS, they make too much money off replacement parts and labor when you fry the electronics.....
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I could see a dealer not wanting to install for this reason, but not really the manufacturers. It would be a win-win for them. The manufacturers probably have many warranty claims on items they have to foot the bill on because of electrical issues and an EMS would monitor for and protect from them.
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04-02-2014, 02:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,183
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I installed mine behind the power distribution panel. (ALL POWER OFF) I pulled the panel off the wall and disconnected the main feeders coming into the panel, 2 feeders each on there own 50 amp breaker, a neutral tied to the neutral bar and a ground. Connected these to the HWEMS line side, bought 3' of #6 3wire with ground and come out the other end of the EMS looping the load coils as directed. All toll 4 wires to connect X 3 different places. Mine is located just above the converter, plenty of room and didn't cut any wire. About 1 1/2 hour work, start to finish including getting wire from Home Depot. I am not an electrician.
__________________
Joe & Beverly
2014 Ram 2500 CTD, CC, SB
2014 8289WS lifted
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04-02-2014, 02:25 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Dillsburg, PA
Posts: 308
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thanks for the replies. besides the separate display and better theft prevention because it is out of sight, what are the other advantages over the portable?
__________________
2013 Rockwood Mini 2503S
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L
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04-02-2014, 02:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S
thanks for the replies. besides the separate display and better theft prevention because it is out of sight, what are the other advantages over the portable?
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Being out of the elements. Call me paranoid but I went with the portable because if anything does blow I want it as far away from our camper as possible.
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04-02-2014, 05:50 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S
thanks for the replies. besides the separate display and better theft prevention because it is out of sight, what are the other advantages over the portable?
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One less thing that I have to keep up with
__________________
Joe & Beverly
2014 Ram 2500 CTD, CC, SB
2014 8289WS lifted
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04-03-2014, 07:55 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Posts: 115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiscampsin
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Wow!
- Randy
__________________
1975 Westfalia (VW)
2014 Rockwood A122
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04-03-2014, 08:59 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 175
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Wow... Now that I see that blown out unit, how many times have people seen this on an internal one? It looks like it was hit by lightning...
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04-03-2014, 09:35 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J007
Wow... Now that I see that blown out unit, how many times have people seen this on an internal one? It looks like it was hit by lightning...
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It looks like someone threw it in the fire.
Upon further examination- I don't see any charring on the male prongs.
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