Community Forums

HUGHP · 01-18-2016, 09:20 AM

Our 2 year old portable unit quit passing power to the motorhome again last weekend while camping. It was misting rain. Error code was E 0. Had to send it back last summer because suddenly 400 volts was showing at home! P.I.'s finding was moisture inside. The unit has never been exposed to a hard rain while away and is stored under a shed at home.

Isn't this thing supposed to be "weather resistant"? What do others with portables do to prevent moisture issues?

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-18-2016, 09:23 AM

I installed my portable in the compartment by splicing the power cord and adding a male and female plug.

Click image for larger version

Name: ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1453134189.467289.jpg
Views: 181
Size: 131.5 KB
ID: 116762

HUGHP · 01-18-2016, 09:50 AM

Not enough room in the bay or I would have installed a hard wired.

ChasA · 01-18-2016, 10:08 AM

I have the 50 amp model. It is hanging exposed to the weather right now. I am in South Florida and we have had some torrential rain in the past few days. My PT50 hasn't hiccupped.

Grey Ghost I · 01-18-2016, 03:42 PM

I usually tape a piece of plastic such as a grocery bag around it just as a precaution.

wa8yxm · 01-19-2016, 12:35 PM

My other company unit developed a moisture inside issue.. I let it dry out and it returned to normal service,, up to yesterday when I suddenly noticed NO POWER... Went out and it was counting down.. Yup, power flicker happened and it did it's job properly protecting me from a short term (just long enough to tear up an A/C if I'd had 'em running) power fail.

I re-sealed it and then got out my bag sealer.. Cut a length of plastic tube (Will explain)( long enough to go over the plug, the body of the unit and beyond The plug is inside the box, under a "hood" (the box door) and water runs downhill so the electronics are now 100% protected.

The plastic tube is the "Roll" type bags for my Foodsaver, this is a long (VERY LONG) tube of heat-seal bag material. Normally you cut it and seal one end (i did seal the top end, but had to punch the prongs of the plug through the bag)

Jandringa · 01-27-2016, 10:27 AM

I had the same issue with my 50amp portable model. It was showing high voltage error but was also showing 123 volts on each leg, but it would not let the unit trip the relay to work. Ended up plugging direct for that trip and sent the unit in for service after talking to their tech support. They reported moisture inside repaired it and sent it back no charge. I now zip tie a small garbage bag over it and haven't had any issues again, it's been about a year. Defiantly would not concise it waterproof as I have herd of this problem a few times but still happy with the unit.

**TonyDi** · 01-27-2016, 12:03 PM

I have been using a 50a portable for years, without incident. We have been in some torrential rains and not had a problem. The portables were designed to be in the rain. How did PI answer your concerns?

HUGHP · 01-28-2016, 09:20 AM

Kept the unit in the house for over a week,hoping it would dry out and pass power from the pedastal here - no go. So called PI,talked and sent the unit back to PI again yesterday at my expense of $11.57 postage. They refused to mail me a postage free label since I bought the unit more than 6 month ago. I explained it was less that 6 months since the last return to no avail.

papa&susu · 01-28-2016, 09:33 AM

my 50a portable had moisture that you could see though the plastic window. Returned,repaired no charge.

bobmac · 01-31-2016, 06:35 PM

On those units, E0 means there were no errors detected in the AC service to your unit and is the code that is provided if the service you have connected to is good. You need to contact PI for their advice in the next steps as somthing is wrong with your unit.

Rossi6998 · 02-10-2016, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUGHP

Kept the unit in the house for over a week,hoping it would dry out and pass power from the pedastal here - no go. So called PI,talked and sent the unit back to PI again yesterday at my expense of $11.57 postage. They refused to mail me a postage free label since I bought the unit more than 6 month ago. I explained it was less that 6 months since the last return to no avail.

I am disappointed to hear that you had to pay for postage to return the unit for repair. I realize this is common practice for most repairs, but I am still surprised and disappointed.

I am very fond of these units. I am fortunate enough to have room in my storage bay to keep it inside 24/7. I run a separate power cord from the unit to the electric to protect it from the weather.