Community Forums

GA Navigator · 08-01-2016, 12:14 AM

I had one of the low end Progressive Industries surge protectors with the lights that tell if the pedestal is wired properly and I used it like always. I plugged it in first to check the wiring before I plugged the coach in.

About 10 minutes after plugging in to the pedestal and I'm back inside, I hear a hum, a buzz, a sizzle, and I smelled a faint smell of electrical smoke. I hurried back outside and turned off the pedestal breaker. The Progressive Industries model SS-50 was smoking. I checked the pedestal with my multi-meter and the neutral was open. I went back inside to see what all got fried and thankfully nothing but the power strip that my daughter's game system was plugged into was hurt. I was stressing out for a while thinking about how much it was going to cost to replace an inverter/charger, two TVs, Samsung refer, water heater, microwave, etc.
I don't know if the PI SS-50 made any difference or not but I'm glad we didn't suffer any severe damage.

So now I'm shopping for some hard-wired protection. I'm leaning toward the TRC units and I'd like to have the remote display panel. It looks like there are two choices, the model 35550 and the 40240.
Do any of you have experience with either of these units or can you comment on the differences?

Thanks

Old-Biscuit · 08-01-2016, 01:23 AM

TRC.......
1 year limited warranty
Non-serviceable (throw away units)
Lack luster customer service dept.

Progressive Industries ......
LIFETIME warranty
Service..rebulidable/repairable units
Good customer service dept.

Choice is simple

sdennislee · 08-01-2016, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

TRC.......
1 year limited warranty
Non-serviceable (throw away units)
Lack luster customer service dept.

Progressive Industries ......
LIFETIME warranty
Service..rebulidable/repairable units
Good customer service dept.

Choice is simple

Could not agree more. Progressive Industries EMS HW50C or PT50C is the only way to go.

jacwjames · 08-01-2016, 06:34 AM

X3 on the Progressive Industries EMS HW50C

I went without one for +6 years, I guess I was lucky. Then parked at home and the coach plugged into a 20 amps plug to keep batteries charged. Had lightening strike the power pole that services our house. We lost a TV in the kitchen and I thought that was it. Then the next month we were getting ready to leave and I could get the AC to work even on generator. I found that the EMS system was fried, ~$450 to fix.

I got lucky and found an open box special on the Progressive unit for ~$200. Installed it and on one of our first outings I found reversed polarity at one campground and low voltage at another.

I invested in a 2nd display so that I can monitor the power while plugging in and after it shows OK I switch to the inner display which on can monitor throughout the day/night.

TomandGloria · 08-01-2016, 06:42 AM

Wouldn't leave home without my Progressive Industries surge protector. It has saved me 3 times at different campgrounds.

Sweetbriar · 08-01-2016, 07:32 AM

I'm a bit partial to the cord end units. As soon as I plug in I can see if the power terminal is correct. The up side of the hardwired protection is you can install it after the shore power/generator transfer switch and use it to monitor the generator.

Failure rate is pretty low for either hardwired or cord end but for the hardwired type know and understand how to bypass if necessary just in case it does fail.

barmcd · 08-01-2016, 08:46 AM

is the HW50C permanently installed? If so where does it go? I normally check out the pedestal with a DVM before plugging into it. Nothing elaborate, just to make sure the voltages are there and correct.

dennis45 · 08-01-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barmcd

is the HW50C permanently installed? If so where does it go? I normally check out the pedestal with a DVM before plugging into it. Nothing elaborate, just to make sure the voltages are there and correct.

Mine is mounted in my electrical bay. It does not monitor the generator. I was told by my electrician installer that it my cause problems with the transfer switch if installed before the switch. See left side of the photo. Ignore the Green circle.

Mine has saved me more than a few times from shoddy power pedestals and low voltage issues.

MSHappyCampers · 08-01-2016, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee

Could not agree more. Progressive Industries EMS HW50C or PT50C is the only way to go.

My vote also!

**TonyDi** · 08-01-2016, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

TRC.......
1 year limited warranty
Non-serviceable (throw away units)
Lack luster customer service dept.

Progressive Industries ......
LIFETIME warranty
Service..rebulidable/repairable units
Good customer service dept.

Choice is simple

It's saved me several times.

wigginsjsr · 08-01-2016, 03:38 PM

Mine is mounted after the transfer switch;so, covers pedestal and generator. Has worked fine for 5 years. Transfer switch is cheap compared to all the other electrical devices that could be damaged. I'm willing to sacrifice it to also get protection from generator malfunction. I've had some say the generator cannot cause problems, but that is not true.

sdennislee · 08-01-2016, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wigginsjsr

Mine is mounted after the transfer switch;so, covers pedestal and generator. Has worked fine for 5 years. Transfer switch is cheap compared to all the other electrical devices that could be damaged. I'm willing to sacrifice it to also get protection from generator malfunction. I've had some say the generator cannot cause problems, but that is not true.

I had intended to move mine from the electric bay to down stream of of the transfer switch but read the FAQ page on Progressive Industries site and they say not to install after the transfer switch.

GA Navigator · 08-01-2016, 05:18 PM

Wow. No one likes the TRC surge guard? It appears they do the same thing. Is the warranty the main reason the Progressive Industries units are preferred?

1994 Holiday Rambler Navigator
Cummins 6CTA
Allison MD3060