progressive industries EMS-50PC

[wayne0]

I just purchased this EMS and want to install it in my electrical compartment to make it harder to "walk away" and also to be able to disconnect it if it malfunctions. In the past I have seen posts on this subject, including pictures but can't seem to find them on this or the TRVN networks. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Wayne and Doris
Fresno, CA
2010 Allegro Open Road 32 BC

[goldwingerx2]

I don't have quite the same model, I have the SSP-50. I put mine on the post with a chain around it and padlock. Have a 3 foot chain, each link about 1/8 in thick. When it is tight you cannot get it off as the plug will not slip through, yes the chain could be cut but nothing is always safe.

[jfran304]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne0 I just purchased this EMS and want to install it in my electrical compartment to make it harder to "walk away" and also to be able to disconnect it if it malfunctions. In the past I have seen posts on this subject, including pictures but can't seem to find them on this or the TRVN networks. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Wayne and Doris Fresno, CA 2010 Allegro Open Road 32 BC

Wayne I'm stalking you.

I saw your post on the Tiffin RV Network also. My suggestion is to just buy a 50 Amp extension cord and you won't have to modify your cord. You can leave it and the surge guard in the electrical compartment and plug the extension cord into it.

Jon

[historyljc]

Here's the way I hooked my Surge Guard up. The Progressive can go the same way. If necessary I plug my voltage booster inline beteen 1 & 2.

[Elkhartjim]

From Oemtechs website:

EMS-LCHW50

Parts:

• Progressive EMS-LCHW50 - $279 from RV Upgrades
• 4 - 5' of #6 wire - Black, Red, White, Green
• 1 - 5' piece of gray flex cable cover
• 4 - #12x3/4" Self tapping screws
• 2 - 1/4"x3/4" bolts/washers/nuts
• 2 - 1/4"x3/4" Flat head bolts/washers/nuts
• 2 - 12"x3/4" flat stock for mounting brackets

Install:

There are 2 possible ways to install the EMS-LCHW50

1. You can install it by moving the shore power cable to the input side of the LCHW50 and the output side of the LCHW50 becomes the input to the transfer switch. But, this does not protect the coach from the generator.
2. You can also take output side of the transfer switch to the input side of the LCHW50. Then the output side of the LCHW50 becomes input to the coach. This protects the coach from both shore power and the generator. This is the method I chose.

The EMS-LCHW50 also has a remote display that can be installed inside the coach. This allows you to see what is going and not have go look in the electrical bay.
Each install will be different and the instructions supplied with the EMS-LCHW50 are more than adequate to finish the install.
Before

After

Internals

Return to DIY Projects
EMS Failure

In Sept of 2009 we decided to quit fultiming, after 4 years, and build a house. So now we are just doing weekend club rallies and a few longer trips. I have had my EMS LCHW50 installed and running continuously for over 3 years without any problems. But, all good things come to an end.
I was really surprised when I got to the RV Park for Dec 09 club rally and the EMS showed a blinking 888 when I plugged in the shore power. I thought I had a bad plug-in and was about to move the rig when the RV park maintenance guy came by. I asked if they were having any electrical problems and he said no. So, I decided to test the generator as I have it inline with the EMS. That test worked. I stopped the generator and plugged the shore power back in and everything was normal. Hummm, cold weather maybe?
After a really cold weekend we returned the rig to the RV barn and sure enough I had the same problem as when I plugged into the RV park shore power. After a few try’s I finally got it to work. So, now what do I do as this thing is way out of warranty. I decided to send Progressive Industries an Email to see if they had any advice on the blinking 888 error as the manual really didn't have any information on this particular error code. I sent the Email very late in the day, like 11 PM. Boy was I surprised to get a reply back the first thing in the morning with a diagnoses and a fix. Progressive Industries offered to send a replacement main board for FREE. It arrived a few days later via USPS Priority Mail. It took about 30 mins to install and test. I returned the defective part via USPS Priority Mail. My total cost was $4.80 for Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box.
So, if you are looking for a great product and great service the Progressive Industries EMS system is the way to go.
Here is a photo of the defective part.

EMS Bypass

The EMS main board failure got me thinking about how do you bypass this kind of error without taking the EMS cover off. My solution is not new as any number of other RVer's have done the same thing. You rewire it to use some range plugs and receptacles. I picked up the receptacles at Lowe's for about $10 a piece (standard 50 amp range receptacle). I got a 6' and 4' range cord off the Internet for less than $30 shipped. By getting 2 long cords you have enough wire to make all your connections with buying any extra wire.

I orginally had my EMS setup to protect the generator and shore power. This setup forced me to fab a bracket for mounting the EMS because Newmar didn't leave enough wire to allow me to remout the EMS where I wanted to. Now by adding the plugs & receptacles I can mount the EMS box where it is out of the way and easy to see.

The re-wiring goes as follows:

1. Return the output from the EMS back to the transfer switch.
2. Remove the shore power cord from the EMS and install a receptacle on the end of the cord.
3. Install a short section of the 6' range cord, that will reach the shore power receptacle, to the input side of the EMS.
4. Using the left over wire from step 3 install a receptacle at one end and the other end to the output side of the EMS.
5. Trim the 4' range cord so that is long enough to reach the EMS output receptacle AND the shore power receptacle.

WARNING
You must maintain the wire color continuity from receptacle to plug through out the install. There is 1 red wire (hot), 1 black wire (hot), 1 white wire (netural), and 1 green wire (ground).

Now all I have to do if I have a EMS failure is swap 2 plugs and bypass the EMS system.
EMS Inline

EMS Bypass

[Dr4Film]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne0 I just purchased this EMS and want to install it in my electrical compartment to make it harder to "walk away" and also to be able to disconnect it if it malfunctions. In the past I have seen posts on this subject, including pictures but can't seem to find them on this or the TRVN networks. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Wayne and Doris Fresno, CA 2010 Allegro Open Road 32 BC

Wayne,

Since there is no model EMS-50PC listed at the Progressive Industries web site, I am assuming that you purchased the EMS-PT50C 50 amp Portable unit.

I had a portable TRC 50 amp Surge Guard unit prior to buying the Progressive EMS HW-50C hardwired unit. To install the portable unit so it wouldn't grow legs, I simply found a convenient junction box directly after where my shore power cord entered the coach. I separated the wires inside the junction box and routed the shore power cord side to a 50 amp RV outlet directly adjacent to the junction box. I purchased a 50 amp 3-4foot pigtail from a RV Internet web site. I installed that onto the other side of the junction box going to the other set of wires that were separated. Now you can simply plug the PI portable EMS system into the 50 amp outlet and plug the 50 amp pigtail into the 50 amp outlet on the EMS system, see photo #3.

If you change coaches in the future and want to take the PI EMS system with you, simply unplug it and now plug the 50 amp pigtail into the 50 amp outlet and your power supply system is back to where it was before.

First two photos show the junction box, 50 amp receptacle and pigtail I installed first. Third photo shows the units plugged together. I use a PowerMaster Voltage Booster in conjunction with the TRC portable Surge Guard.

Fourth photo shows the Progressive EMS unit I am now using in place of the TRC unit. The Progressive Industries units are FAR better than the TRC unit. I still have the PowerMaster and due to the way I separated the junction box, I can remove both of them if I sell the coach and plug the power cord together as if they were never there.

Hope this helps.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.