Progressive Industries surge protector remote display

[dp7]

I have been looking at the Progressive Industries model EMS-HW50C hardwired surge protector. This unit includes a remote display. Seems like routing the cable so the display is visible inside the coach could be problematic. I was wondering if most people just mount the display adjacent to the surge protector. For those that have mounted the display inside the coach, is the convenience of an inside display worth the work to route the cable?

TIA

[l1v3fr33ord1]

dp7-

The display shows these things:

1) Voltage
2) Current
3) Frequency
4) Error code

There are two times when the information is useful inside the coach:

1) In summer, in a park when low voltages are common due to the number of air conditioners running
2) When an error cuts off 120 VAC in the middle of the night (especially if the weather outside is poor)

In contrast, the information is useful every time you plug the RV into 120 VAC for the first time at a site.

My opinion is that unless your RV sits a lot in one place, it's most helpful to have the display where you can see it after you plug in.

If this was a battery monitor, I'd say the display belongs inside the coach.

That all said, routing wires into an RV is not always as difficult as it seems.

I believe the PI unit you're considering can host two displays, with one active at a time. You could mount the display locally and add a remote later.

Note: The PI unit with the built-in display cannot have a remote display added to it.

[montyhp]

Mine is in the compartment with the power cord so i can see it when i plug in.
If the unit cuts power to your RV, what are the chances you can fix the problem without going oitside?

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[Dr4Film]

I have TWO displays, one in the service bay to view immediately after plugging in and one in the overhead cabinet in the bedroom to view when I am inside the coach.

I use the one inside to monitor amp draw per leg and any error codes.

Running the data cable should not be a problem if you are creative and handy.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[WDW]

2x on having it inside to watch your draw. This was especially true with our C and 30AMP services. However with our 50AMP A. I've still found it useful in monitoring generator loads, forced 30AMP sites,etc.


2016 Coachmen Mirada 35 BH
2015 Jeep Roadmaster AT. tow bar with RVI2 supplemental.

Taking in the sight wherever our Trolley takes us...

[Caswelld]

Not sure you really need a repeater inside the coach. I got the model with the readout on the unit mounted in the electrical bay. Seems like it is few bucks cheaper. When I plug in at the park, I check the readout for the "0" code & forget about it. Let progressive do the checking

Like was said earlier, if you have a power issue, you'll likely have to go outside anyway.

[Kiawah]

When I bought it I was hoping to mount the display inside the coach, however, I initially could not find a way to route the wire up to where I wanted it. Since the unit can have two displays, I thought I'd just mount it in the electrical bay where it's easier to see (than where the unit is mounted), and if I wanted to move it (or add a 2nd one inside) I could do that later.

Turns out the time I use it the most, is when I'm outside and just plugged in to make sure the voltages are okay.

When connected to 20 or 30 amps shorepower is when you really are concerned about current draw. What I did after installing is to do a test of each device, writing down their individual current consumption. So I know what can be on at the same time, and what has to be off. I haven't found that I need the display inside, although it would be nice to have. It hasn't risen to the level of need/want, that is greater than the amount of work to route the cable!

[Furniss]

Try this , I was told by a mobile tech that it works. Using a plug in telephone cord connect the surge protector to the telephone jack installed in your utility compartment. Then using another cord connect the repeater to the telephone jack inside the coach. I spent a day routing a cable for my repeater before learning this. Please post if this works for you.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Furniss

Try this , I was told by a mobile tech that it works. Using a plug in telephone cord connect the surge protector to the telephone jack installed in your utility compartment. Then using another cord connect the repeater to the telephone jack inside the coach. I spent a day routing a cable for my repeater before learning this. Please post if this works for you.

I did exactly this and it works great, but the cable needs to be a "Data cable" not specifically a phone cable. The ends are reversed on a phone cable.

[CapnJustice]

Originally Posted by Caswelld

Not sure you really need a repeater inside the coach. I got the model with the readout on the unit mounted in the electrical bay. Seems like it is few bucks cheaper. When I plug in at the park, I check the readout for the "0" code & forget about it. Let progressive do the checking

Like was said earlier, if you have a power issue, you'll likely have to go outside anyway.

+1
I mounted the unit where I can see the display on powering up, then forget about it.

[JohnRR]

Mine is on the outside to be able to check right after hook up, someday I'll get the second display once I figure where to install it

[montyhp]

Regarding using your ems display to monitor current draw. I strongly recommend a bogart engineering trimetric battery monitor. You get much more information that you really needto manage your battery bank

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[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by montyhp

Regarding using your ems display to monitor current draw. I strongly recommend a Bogart engineering trimetric battery monitor. You get much more information that you really need to manage your battery bank

BIG difference between monitoring 12 VDC versus 120 VAC.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[montyhp]

You are right of course

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