Surge Protection or Electrical system Protection

[Brian217]

I want to get either a surge protector or an electrical system protector for my Sunseeker. We've never used one in 14 years of camping, but the more I think about the large investment I have the more I think I should get one. I'm sure many of you have an opinion on what type is best. The surge guards seem to be in the $80 to $100 range while the electrical system protectors seem to be about $260 to $275. Whichever one I get will be the portable type so I can take it to the next motorhome. I didn't know if you have a problem with electric and the surge protector shuts off electric if you have to go out and manually turn it back on. Also, would you have to manually turn it back on with the electrical system type or would it shut down the electric and come back on when it's safe?

[mud yapster]

I put a Progressive industries 50amp hardwire in our 5er and I'm still going to take with me if we buy another rig. A draw back of a potable one is someone can steal it. Progressive has a lifetime warranty so why not get a hard wire one and you can still remove it and put in another rig. No worries about it disappearing.

[crunchman12001]

Hi,
I always wanted to protect my TT after reading some of th horror stories of unprotected trailers here. I bought a EMS-PT30C EMS-PT30C 30 Amp Portable EMS for my Coachman Freedom Express. $227 plus shipping is cheaper than my deductible.
Here is a pic.
crunchman

[Wiscampsin]

Progressive Industries EMS system all the way.

[n-e-d]

Progressive Industries all the way. Installed the EMS-HW30c very easy install a matter of 6 connections. Went under the bed lot of extra wire and display went on the foot of the bed. And yes it will probably go with me when I trade in.

[SuicideSaints]

I run the progressive ems 30 amp, I have the portable one.

[Brian217]

Another question. I just read that with the hard wired units it will come up with an error code when trying to run the generator unless you manually turn off the ems or add something into your system to make it work. Is anyone using it in a motorhome with a generator and is that completely true?

[SuicideSaints]

If I remember the terminology right portable generators have a floating neutral so when you use the ems with them they throw the code. To alleviate this you use a bonded plug in one of the outlets on the portable generator. The way you would know if a code will throw look up and see if your neutral is bonded or floating. Not too sure on anything but portable generators.

[conceptumator]

Progressive Industries EMS for me. Had a 30A portable that saved me at a misfired camp. When we got our new RV, I sold it to a buddy and bought the hard wired 50A for the new home. Saw a trick somewhere on here that solved the issue of taking it with you later. I bought two 50A range cords and two 50A range outlets with it. Took the shore power cord loose from the ATS and installed an outlet on the end of it. Installed on range cord to the source side of the EMS but I cut off some of the cord first and used that with an outlet on the MH side of the EMS. Wired the other range cord coming out if the ATS where I removed the shore power cord. Plugged it all together and now I can bypass the EMS if ever needed by just removing it and plugging in the remaining cord and outlet. Sounds a little confusing but wanted to dumb proof the cords so nothing hot could be exposed. Works great!

[mbCik]

Progressive Industries EMS is awesome. I installed it in about 4 hours and I have no special electrical training. The readout in the cabin is great as it lets you also monitor how many amps you are drawing.

[Hutch333id]

I installed my PI Hardwired system in about a couple of hours with no electrical experience. The instructions are simple to follow and there are only six wires to connect. The most difficult part was manipulating the less than malleable 50-amp wires. Apart from the PI unit, which I bought from Makarios RV for less than $300 (and free shipping), I also purchased a meter of #6 cable which i used between the unit and the consumer panel. If ever I trade my 5er, this is coming with me. If your unit is a 30-amp rig, consider getting the 50-amp PI unit. That way you are ready for the next, inevitable upgrade to a larger unit. The 50-amp will happily work in a 30-amp rig. Initially, I misplaced the display unit that attaches to the EMS. I phoned PI and they were quite happy to send me a replacement but I managed to find mine again.

[Cornelius]

Originally Posted by Brian217

Another question. I just read that with the hard wired units it will come up with an error code when trying to run the generator unless you manually turn off the ems or add something into your system to make it work. Is anyone using it in a motorhome with a generator and is that completely true?

I have a Progressive Industries EMS-LCHW50. My Georgetown does not have an automatic transfer switch, but an outlet that the 50 amp cord plugs into when using the Onan 5500 generator. The EMS-LCHW50 is installed in the basement compartment replacing the original electrical junction box that attached the 50 amp power cord to the motorhome wiring.

It has never indicated any problems when using the Onan generator. It has however found numerous problems when the power cord is plugged in at campgrounds.

[TinkerToy]

Crunchman2001, is the lock going through the surge protector and electrical supply box to address theft?
Thanks
Tinker Toy

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by TinkerToy

Crunchman2001, is the lock going through the surge protector and electrical supply box to address theft?
Thanks
Tinker Toy

Hi TinkerToy,
Yes, I do lock the unit up for fear of theft and to try to keep everyone honest. The EMS-PT30C has a tab on the cord that you can put a lock onto. If someone really wants it, they'll get it loose. Good news, the neighbor does not lock his.
The pedestal is very low, I need to make some type of box or something to get it off of the driveway and out of the elements.
crunchman

[rana]

Progressive Industries hands down. With a hardwired unit, attach plugs to make your connections. Ie., incoming power cord fitted with a female connector, "in" to your PI EMS fitted with a male connector, "out" to your EMS fitted with female, and RV's power "in" fitted with a male connector.

In that way you can simply bypass your EMS if needed, or remove it completely to transfer to a new rig.

With portable generators.. yes.. they will trip your EMS. It's very simple to make a bonding plug so you can use your generator without having to bypass.

Using a male 3 prong plug, simply jumper the neutral connection to the ground connection. Or if you prefer, cut off the male end of a heavy extension cord, strip the wires and connect the white (neutral) wire to the green (ground) wire.

Plug the bonding plug into one of the receptacles on the portable generator.

[rana]

If you do decide to go hardwired with plugs, you might check out some installation photos of Turbs.

[wmtire]

I do agree that Progressive Industires does have a great product. However, just to be cear, the lifetime warranty is really a limited lifetime warranty, with some exceptions.

One of these is if using with a Yamaha EF2000iS generator as per below:

Please be advised the Yamaha Generator Model EF2000iS does not generate enough start-up current which causes the unit to overload. The generator then puts out non-true Sine Wave power. Progressive Industries units are designed to operate only on a True Sine Wave.

For this reason, The Progressive Industries Warranty is hereby void if a EMS Units is used in conjunction with a Yamaha Generator Model EF2000iS, and any damages sustained to the EMS unit are the sole responsibility of the customer.


Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea

[Herk7769]

I am probably the only one left who thinks the Franks Autotransformer is the way to go for power protection AND correction.

See my review of the unit at http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ers-26202.html

Being able to "fix" low campground power while everyone else if sweating up a storm cause their air conditioner won't turn over is worth it to me.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

I am probably the only one left who thinks the Franks Autotransformer is the way to go for power protection AND correction.

See my review of the unit at http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ers-26202.html

Being able to "fix" low campground power while everyone else if sweating up a storm cause their air conditioner won't turn over is worth it to me.

Nope not true lou.
I definitely looked @ the franks and seriously considered it.
The cost "@ the time" was prohibitive.
Albeit I've only been in a low voltage situation once "that I know of" in 2002.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[rana]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Nope not true lou.
I definitely looked @ the franks and seriously considered it.
The cost "@ the time" was prohibitive.

X2. Too rich for my blood considering I've only plugged into a power pedestal 4-5 times in the past year. If I spent the majority of my time in CG's though I would have considered it more seriously.