So I wanted to share my experience with everyone here in regards to Progressive Industries (PI) and their tech support.
I could give you the short version, but since it's Friday and things are slow here at work, I'll give you the less short version.
So normally when we camp we would always break camp most every day if what we wanted to explore was further away than our legs could take us, either walking or riding bikes. So even if we had full hookups we rarely left the RV plugged in.
This past summer was different in that we pulled a toad for the 1st time and I knew we'd be leaving the RV in the campground all day while we explored up and down the coast of Oregon.
So I ordered the Progress Industries
EMS-PT30x in July so that we would have peace of mind while we were off exploring, knowing that if there were any power surges this would protect us. This isn't cheap, but looking at the bigger picture, it's certainly worth the price for peace of mind...and stupid mistakes! (no..not sharing THAT!)
We've been living in the RV off and on since July of last year and are currently camped here in Spokane, WA (Valleyford actually). It's been a mild winter so far, but we are using electrical heaters as well as propane.
I did a far amount of testing so I'd know generally how much amperage we'd be using for all our devices so we wouldn't overload our 30 AMP pedestal.
Yesterday evening I got a call from my wife while I was at work that we had no power. Since this has happened before I called our landlord to ask if there was a power issue, this time he said no.
*Side note...don't you just love RV's? What would happen if you had no power at the S&B house? No heat, no lights, no happy wife...
But with an RV, we still had heat and lights! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Back to the story: I went home and verified no power. How? Looked at the microwave. No clock.
Went outside and lifted off the garbage pail we had covering the pedestal and there the EMS-PT30x glowed, cycling through it's routine, Error code = 0, voltage = 120v, amps = 0... Huh...no amperage...well that makes sense since we had no power. Removed the PT30x and plugged in the RV directly to the pedestal...power!
When I looked at the EMS plugin, there was evidence of an arc (see picture below). I then removed the plug from the pedestal and looked at the each blade of the plug and I noticed one had a bit of corrosion. Not a ton, but a small amount. Hmm, I wonder if that was the culprit. (Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of it, but I will!)
So plugged the RV back in, put the garbage pail back on the pedestal and went inside and called PI tech support. Since it was after hours I left a message. I also left a message on customer service line.
This morning I hadn't heard from them so I was poking around on the web and saw where you can submit a warranty form, which I did.
Here's the link (Make sure you have no popup blockers on or the form won't show....also, it takes about 3 to 5 seconds for the form to load)
I then called TS and since it was normal business hours I actually talked with someone. Very nice gentleman and knowledgeable. I told him my story and he said while he couldn't 100% verify that PI would send out a new one, he said most likely they would. He said he would personally talk to the person who makes that decision (he was right next to him) as I wanted to get a replacement as quick as possible even if I just had to pay for it myself.
I told him if it's my fault then no problem, I would certainly just buy a new one, but I didn't think the small amount of corrosion would be enough to cause this. However....this morning while getting ready for work, I turned on the TV so I could catch the weather report and while I was watching, the TV turned off....hmmm...that's not right. I looked over at the microwave and it was flashing telling me to set the clock. Hmm..didn't I just set that last night?
So....I'm thinking it probably IS my issue and not the surge protector...shoot! When I get off work I'm going to chop off the 30 AMP plug on the RV cord and put on a new one. (I'll take a picture before I do that).
Sigh...The thing is, i've noticed the plug was a bit dirty/corroded and in the back of my mind thought, "yeah..maybe I should replace that plug as it's looking a bit dirty and the rubber sleeve has separated from the plug"...why? WHY DIDN'T I DO IT?! Ugh...lessons.
So when I talked to the TS person he said he thought there wouldn't be a problem getting a replacement and said I don't have to send the unit back, just chop off the plug so no one else would use it.......So far I haven't heard back from them officially....I'll post back as soon as I hear from them.
Now...... I want to open the unit and see what's burnt as the computer side of things appears to still work, ie, cycles through everything and reports its findings.... But...if it was my fault...I feel like telling them not to send a new one, I'll just buy another and keep this for parts. Sigh...who knows...maybe it was partially my fault, but maybe the plug wasn't making good contact with the blade.
I did check the plug this morning and while it was slightly warm, it wasn't hot. But I will be replacing it either tonight or tomorrow morning.
So there ya go...my short (long) story ..and a lesson...if you get that little voice inside your head to do something...then
DO SOMETHING! Especially when it comes to maintenance on these old rigs.
EMS-PT30x: The white garbage pail covers the pedestal and surge protector. And here we are all toasty and warm: