Surge Protectors - Over/Under Voltage Protection

[RV735]

We have a Surge Guard Plus 50 Amp Hard-Wired Power Monitor and it has prevented the AC connection to come into the coach on 5 occasions in the past 7 years of travel. It properly diagnosed "open ground", "Low voltage", and identified "defective circuit breakers". It has worked each time every time we have hooked up.

One comment to all is you should check the incoming electrical connections annually to ensure they have not loosened over time while traveling. DO NOT CHECK CONNECTIONS WHILE PLUGGED INTO A 120V OUTLET OR WHILE YOUR GENERATOR IS RUNNING.

Safe Travels and THE JOY IS IN THE RIDE

[DrPhil]

New Hughes Autoformer with surge protector built in.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by RV735

We have a Surge Guard Plus 50 Amp Hard-Wired Power Monitor and it has prevented the AC connection to come into the coach on 5 occasions in the past 7 years of travel. It properly diagnosed "open ground", "Low voltage", and identified "defective circuit breakers". It has worked each time every time we have hooked up.

One comment to all is you should check the incoming electrical connections annually to ensure they have not loosened over time while traveling. DO NOT CHECK CONNECTIONS WHILE PLUGGED INTO A 120V OUTLET OR WHILE YOUR GENERATOR IS RUNNING.

Safe Travels and THE JOY IS IN THE RIDE

Do you have the remote monitor on your Surge Guard? How did you know these specific problems? Or was it further checking after receiving a fault? I only have lights and none tell me specifically those issues.

[specmga1]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

I'm using the new Hughes 50A autoformer (on our park model) and a 50A TRC Voltage Regulator (on our RV).

The voltage regulator and the autoformer do the same thing -- boost low voltage.

I've used the TRC unit for a couple of years but the Hughes unit for only a couple of months.

At this point, if I had to choose, I'd go with the TRC voltage regulator. On the same power, my Hughes unit seems to stay in boost mode far more than my TRC.

I was all set to buy the Hughes unit until I read your post. What are the differences between the two - price, advantages, etc..?

Thanks!

[specmga1]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

My setup from Pedestal to RV . . .

Pedestal -> Surge Guard Model 44270 ->Surge Guard Model 10175 Voltage Regulator -> Surge Guard Model 40240 Hardwired EMS

The 44270 is just an LED fault indicator used to test for faults before plugging anything else in. I'm switching to using a Power Pal instead of the 44270.

The 10175 is a low voltage booster.

The 40240 protects against electrical faults.

Why are you switching to the Power Pal? Thanks!

[harleyjt]

Originally Posted by ghaynes754

Progressive Industries external EMS-50PTX. Their service rocks. Had the previous model for 3 years and ended up with some melting of the 50a socket. For $89.95 they sent a 'refurbished' unit, in fact it was the latest 50PTX model. Lifetime warranty and lifetime replacement for a reasonable fee for user error make them the only choice in my book.

I don't understand. They have a lifetime warranty. Why were you charged for a refurbished unit? Were they claiming abuse? I have one of their surge protectors and am seriously considering upgrading to one of their EMS units. But maybe I need to reconsider.
jt

[Jim_HiTek]

Like others, I wanted a Progressive because of their liberal return and repair policy, which I took advantage of when my remote display went south on the 30A protector. Now have a newer RV and soon after purchase installed the 50 amp. Found it on Craigs List for $150.

Progressive EMS-LCHW50 50 Amp EMS Surge & Electrical Protection
Power bay before ATS
Self Installed

Note, in many RVs, the water hose snakes through the electrical bay for some reason. This can spell disaster in numerous scenarios so I'd recommend the EMS be mounted up off the floor a couple inches. Although the cover is fairly watertight, the cable clamp entrances into the EMS are not.

Down here in Mexico, we had an overvoltage situation and my Progressive shut down at least 25 times over the 3 weeks before the electrical tap on the transformer was lowered. Than a week after that, a late arriving RV'er caused a crazy short of some kind, knocking out the entire RV park for 2 days. The Progressive protected me mostly, I just lost a SWiM power supply for my DirecTv but one camper lost nearly all their equipment, TV, DVR, chargers. The RV park replaced her stuff.

Here's my blog post about installing the Progressive, with pictures: Progressive EMS Installation

[Dr4Film]

My Electrical Management System of choice is the Progressive Industries 50 amp model EMS-HW50C.

Reasons are: excellent customer service, lifetime warranty on the unit including future owners, field replaceable control modules, super fast relay reaction time, user choice of two different power-up delay times, etc.

It is hardwired into the shore power supply cord directly after the Power-Master Voltage Booster and prior to the automatic transfer switch.

I installed it along with two displays, one outside in my Service Bay to view immediately after hooking up shore power and the second one is inside an overhead cabinet in the bedroom.

I believe it is the industries gold standard for excellence and performance. It has never let me down and has severed really bad power situations many times over preventing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Photos below.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by specmga1

I was all set to buy the Hughes unit until I read your post. What are the differences between the two - price, advantages, etc..?



Thanks!

The Hughes has a surge protector built in and the TRC does not. Also the Hughes is available direct from the manufacturer and the TRC must be purchased from a dealer (like the dreaded CW). Those are the reasons why I went with Hughes.

[BattChief]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

My Electrical Management System of choice is the Progressive Industries 50 amp model EMS-HW50C.

Reasons are: excellent customer service, lifetime warranty on the unit including future owners, field replaceable control modules, super fast relay reaction time, user choice of two different power-up delay times, etc.

It is hardwired into the shore power supply cord directly after the Power-Master Voltage Booster and prior to the automatic transfer switch.

I installed it along with two displays, one outside in my Service Bay to view immediately after hooking up shore power and the second one is inside an overhead cabinet in the bedroom.

I believe it is the industries gold standard for excellence and performance. It has never let me down and has severed really bad power situations many times over preventing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Photos below.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Did you use a splitter to allow for two displays? When I asked Derral about a second display, he said you could only use 1. I like the idea of seeing the power condition when I plug in, but also being able to see a display in the middle of the night without having to go outside!

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by BattChief

Did you use a splitter to allow for two displays? When I asked Derral about a second display, he said you could only use 1. I like the idea of seeing the power condition when I plug in, but also being able to see a display in the middle of the night without having to go outside!

The PI system requires a switch. My switch is in the power bay near one display. I select the power bay display when connecting and when done back to the one in the coach.

[RV735]

RMD3819, I have a remote monitor. The low voltage and open ground were identified by the surge protector with a written message on the viewing screen. The bad circuit breaker was identified and replaced by the park because the surge protector would not allow the connection to the power source.

Safe Travels and THE JOY IS IN THE RIDE

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by BattChief

Did you use a splitter to allow for two displays? When I asked Derral about a second display, he said you could only use 1. I like the idea of seeing the power condition when I plug in, but also being able to see a display in the middle of the night without having to go outside!

The additional display comes with an A/B Switch to choose which display you want active. Because of the data cable you can only have one display active at one time, not both.

Look at the third photo of my previous post and you will see the A/B Switch on the right and the display is on the left.

Basically the single data cable coming out of the EMS-HW50C goes to the center of the A/B Switch. Then two data cables come out of the switch, one going to each display.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[joes2901]

I am using the Progressive HC50 installed after the transfer switch so can monitor both shore and generator power. Would not allow 135 volt PM power in Cody, WY. I can avoid the generator breakers opening due to high a load and monitor volts, amps, and frequency for each leg of generator power to manage summer AC, appliances use, and charger. I normally boondock and have used shore power only a few times each year. The monitor is above the door with all 12 &120 electric controls.