Community Forums

jjm22 · 11-01-2014, 06:37 AM

I am thinking about installing theEMS-PT50C portable unit, from reading some older treads I like the idea of installing it in the bay out of the weather and hidden. I will do this with 50 amp male and female ends.
My question is should this be installed before or after the transfer switch? After would also protect the generator source power. Generators could have power problems too. I know that then my transfer switch is not protected. Whats the right way to do this????/
What to do Help

Thanks
Joe

charliej · 11-01-2014, 06:48 AM

I put mine before the switch, others have done it after. I think it's just personal choice.

GaryKD · 11-01-2014, 06:54 AM

Hi jjm22,
There is no right or wrong. This is a personal preference choice. I install my surge protector and voltage regulator before the transfer switch. I trust my generator much more than I trust the CG pedestal and unknown power source for that local.

jjm22 · 11-01-2014, 07:01 AM

Thanks Gary You made a good point, wouldn't want my transfer switch to burn up.

vsheetz · 11-01-2014, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi jjm22,
There is no right or wrong. This is a personal preference choice. I install my surge protector and voltage regulator before the transfer switch. I trust my generator much more than I trust the CG pedestal and unknown power source for that local.

agree.

ChasA · 11-01-2014, 10:20 AM

I plug mine into the pedestal and then plug my power cord into the PT50.

MSHappyCampers · 11-02-2014, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi jjm22,
There is no right or wrong. This is a personal preference choice. I install my surge protector and voltage regulator before the transfer switch. I trust my generator much more than I trust the CG pedestal and unknown power source for that local.

I agree! But others prefer to do it the other way!

Rockbit · 11-02-2014, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi jjm22,
There is no right or wrong. This is a personal preference choice. I install my surge protector and voltage regulator before the transfer switch. I trust my generator much more than I trust the CG pedestal and unknown power source for that local.

I also agree. There's some interesting wiring arrangements in some CG pedestals.

"007" · 11-02-2014, 07:05 PM

You will find both type people mostly used in this link.

jcullipher · 11-02-2014, 10:10 PM

I use the same model and plug directly to pedestal and then plug to it. I did make a "somewhat" rain cover from a 2.5 gal plastic jug, to use during long forecasted rainy spells. I know it is waterproof, just hate to see it stay wet for several days.

Jimmy

Gary RVRoamer · 11-03-2014, 08:43 AM

Most Onan generators have extensive power diagnostics built in, so they won't pass on bad power. For that reason, there is very little risk of damage from bad generator power (but not zero risk) so most people choose to place their powerline monitor/surge protector in line with the shore power side only. That's the easiest install in nearly all cases. However, if it is convenient to place it on the output side of the ATS, there is no reason not to do so. Wellll, maybe one reason: If the surge unit fails, you have no way at all to get power until you remove it. And they do fail, especially if they have to handle a large surge. They are designed to be sacrificial if that happens. I had that problem, so I know! My power monitor is actually integrated with the ATS and so handles both genset and shore power. I had a circuit board failure in the power monitor and it intermittently decided that there was a bad ground on every power source. I was out of luck until I could get a new circuit board.

mrt_1111 · 11-03-2014, 09:40 AM

I chose to put before the transfer switch simply because of cost and convenient. Progressive Inductries has a life time warranty. My transfer switch has an "I" warranty, I buy the new parts and I do the work.

Dutch Star Don · 11-03-2014, 01:15 PM

I installed mine before the transfer switch. I also think it's a good idea to wire it in using plugs if you have the space. This way you can just unplug it and remove it in case there is an issue.

I mounted my Progressive Industries model so the remote panel was attached to the power bay door and I could quickly check it for faults. I also took a list of the fault codes, laminated them and attached next to the remote. It's just to hard to read the codes on the unit cover inside the bay.

jjm22 · 11-04-2014, 05:07 AM

Thanks for all the advise, I will be installing the surge protection before the transfer switch, I would like to protect the transfer switch Too.
Thanks
Joe