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06-18-2015, 04:00 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 211
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Do you need power management protection?
We have been out on a three week trip visiting different campgrounds in Michigan. Last year, I bought a Progressive Industries power management box and started using it towards the end of the camping season. We finished the last year without any intervention from the power management system. This year the story has been different. We have had two disconnects due to power surges during thunderstorms. The last intervention was at a State campground when I plugged in the box and it refused to connect. I looked at the display and saw that there was a reversed polarity issue at the post. Reversed polarity is potentially very dangerous, and as a lesser threat, has a potential to damage some electrical equipment. I advised the staff and they came out to take a look. Initially, they doubted the error shown and thought the problem was in the management system. I dispelled that by connecting into another post where it connected without issue. They shut down power to the whole section of the campground and took a look at the 30amp connector. Sure enough, the outlet was cross wired. The staff was impressed with the protection system and said they had never come across one before. I just wanted to share our experiences with anyone that might have been considering purchasing one. The $250 I spent was well worth the price considering the risk we had experienced to life and equipment.
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06-18-2015, 04:19 PM
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#2
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Great story!
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"
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06-18-2015, 08:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cochrane, AB
Posts: 829
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Thanks for sharing. Up until my current RV I never considered needing electrical management protection. I installed the PI hardwired 50amp unit and now I wouldn't dream of connecting without it. So far I have never had a problem but I'm sure that is just good luck. I certainly wouldn't want to get caught out without it and damage my trailer or any of its appliances.
__________________
Richard & Diane
2014 Cedar Creek 38FL
2016 F350 Lariat CC DRW
Retired Metropolitan Police (UK)
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06-18-2015, 08:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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I never had one in our first few years of camping, but got a hardwires PI when we got our new 5th wheel last year. Has saved me about 5 times already. Will never be without one again.
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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06-18-2015, 11:58 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Currently near St. Louis
Posts: 26
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We are currently in a park near Reno and ours shuts down at least once maybe multiple times almost every afternoon with low voltage on line 2. I wouldn't be without it any more.
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Pat & Gene
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06-19-2015, 01:09 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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Never had one with my old TT. 2 yrs ago we were camping with a group of friends in VA and there were several times we had low voltage issues. Several in the group had their surge protectors trip. We had no protection and got very lucky. When we bought our fiver last year, I made sure to protect it with a surge guard 50 amp portable surge protector.
__________________
2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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06-19-2015, 03:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Western NY
Posts: 222
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fivealive- You have convinced me that it is time to make the investment. Now I need to convence DH. Thanks and happy camping!
__________________
2019 Rockwood Roo 235s
2010 GMC Sierra
Me and DH (aka the Bearded Guy) and as many kids and grandkids as are available at any given time.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke
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06-19-2015, 06:18 AM
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#8
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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 KateE
fivealive- You have convinced me that it is time to make the investment. Now I need to convence DH. Thanks and happy camping!
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Maybe this picture will convince him.
Now imagine all your appliances doing this.
$300.00 sounds pretty cheap!
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"
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06-19-2015, 11:33 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 593
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A lower cost way is a reverse polarity outlet checker and a simple plug in voltmeter
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06-19-2015, 11:34 AM
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#10
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Pockets
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 137
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Can someone recommend a unit? I didn't think I needed one TIL NOW. Trailer is only a couple of weeks old and would like to keep it for a couple of years.
__________________
Bob & Kelley
2015 Flagstaff 26RBSS
2014 FORD F-150 Supercrew XTR 4x4
3.5L Ecoboost, 3:73 axle, Max Tow Pkg 2015(36 nights) 2016(74 nights) 2017(174 nights) 2018(157 nights) 2019(79 nights) 2020(108 nights)
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06-19-2015, 11:58 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Posts: 515
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pockets
Can someone recommend a unit? I didn't think I needed one TIL NOW. Trailer is only a couple of weeks old and would like to keep it for a couple of years.
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I don't have one yet either, but the Progressive Industries unit seems to be the most popular and well liked.
This is the best price I have found: http://rvsafety.net/products.php?cat=2
Which was posted by another member a while back.
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 23LB
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06-19-2015, 12:25 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MB
Posts: 79
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We've had a Surge Guard 50A portable since 2013 and before that had a 30A from the same company in a previous rig. Nothing but good to say about it. It's saved us at least once that I know of. It's money well spent IMHO. The only potential issue is security. Even with a hasp to connect it to the 50 Amp cable a portable is vulnerable to theft. We've been lucky so far but it is a concern.
__________________
Flatlander
2015 Silverback 29IK
2010 Silverado 2500HD LTZ
6.6 Duramax / Allison 1000
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06-19-2015, 12:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pfafftown NC
Posts: 2,353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harkerr
A lower cost way is a reverse polarity outlet checker and a simple plug in voltmeter
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Pound wise and penny foolish. That is good for the exact time you are checking the power, but what happens later is the issue. And surge protection? My unit has saved me 5 times since I put it in 2 years ago. Only one of those times was the problem found before we started to camp. Others happened while camping.
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06-19-2015, 12:39 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pockets
Can someone recommend a unit? I didn't think I needed one TIL NOW. Trailer is only a couple of weeks old and would like to keep it for a couple of years.
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This is our hero: http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-In...RJMSZNZ9V0QX84 . I cable lock it on the post. There are a few others out there, you can do a little homework and decide which one is best for you.
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06-19-2015, 12:57 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 67
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Sounds similar to my post about a week ago when I encountered reverse polarity from my surge protector. Maintenance insisted it was fine after rewiring it x3. I was not a happy camper to say the least. Luckily, I've not encountered damage... yet.
__________________
2014 Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 621BHXL
2015 Ram 1500 4x4, Crew Cab, 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT, 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio
About Me: Prof. Web/UI/UX Designer, Prof. Photographer, traveler, writer, genealogist, husband & daddy of 2 & 5 y/o daughters
Follow my blog: americanbluestreak.com
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06-19-2015, 03:28 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fivealive
We have been out on a three week trip visiting different campgrounds in Michigan. Last year, I bought a Progressive Industries power management box and started using it towards the end of the camping season. We finished the last year without any intervention from the power management system. This year the story has been different. We have had two disconnects due to power surges during thunderstorms. The last intervention was at a State campground when I plugged in the box and it refused to connect. I looked at the display and saw that there was a reversed polarity issue at the post. Reversed polarity is potentially very dangerous, and as a lesser threat, has a potential to damage some electrical equipment. I advised the staff and they came out to take a look. Initially, they doubted the error shown and thought the problem was in the management system. I dispelled that by connecting into another post where it connected without issue. They shut down power to the whole section of the campground and took a look at the 30amp connector. Sure enough, the outlet was cross wired. The staff was impressed with the protection system and said they had never come across one before. I just wanted to share our experiences with anyone that might have been considering purchasing one. The $250 I spent was well worth the price considering the risk we had experienced to life and equipment.
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This doesn't surprise me one bit. I have had several occasions where the CG insisted my checker was wrong and when I pressed the issue, polarity was reversed, open ground, etc: DUH
__________________
VMI'62 
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06-19-2015, 04:28 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Edmund
This doesn't surprise me one bit. I have had several occasions where the CG insisted my checker was wrong and when I pressed the issue, polarity was reversed, open ground, etc: DUH
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Fun and games until someone gets fried. I did ask the staff if the poor wiring was why they keep an AED at the ranger station.
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06-19-2015, 04:29 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 145
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My progressive industries EMS just worked as intended. I was at a campground last week where it registered an open ground and would not turn on. The campground elec checked the box, confirmed this problem, then rewired it. So the unit then turned on and I avoided a potential dangerous shock. Also Shut down last summer in Oklahoma when a tree next to us was hit by lightning. I'm glad I bought it.
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06-19-2015, 07:51 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Santa Teresa, NM
Posts: 26
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Amen!! Amen!!
__________________
2011 Flagstaff V-Lite 30 WRLS
2007 F250 SD 
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06-19-2015, 08:09 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sherman Texas
Posts: 294
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Saved by Progressive
I installed a Progressive unit a couple of years ago and did not have an issue until recently.
I checked into a park near Seattle and the first site had an open ground which was instantly detected. I moved to another site and it shut the power down again doe to low voltage. It just paid for itself.
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