Blown Surge Protector

[CoreyinWP]

Plugged into a new outlet at Storage lot,,,and whammo, blew out the PI ems. Board is dead. Glad it is dead and not all my appliances...I hope.

[EDALLSAILS]

Thought I protected my MH with a surge guard. Nope! Blew a surge guard that the previous owner had included. Now I have a Progressive Industries portable unit 50 Amp model. Was using it to test pedestals b-4 parking MH. Worked great but a pain in the butt waiting for it to go through the self test. Richard D. Smith [dr4film@gmail.com] made me a tester (can be found IRV2 search, elect tester). Now I just plug unit into pedestal, instantly I get accurate Voltage, accurate voltage on each leg, and if it is true 50 amp service or not, last it shows if it is wired correctly. He makes the tester to order and it works great. safe travels.... ed

[wa8yxm]

If plugging into a 30 amp outlet other than at an RV park (And even then) there is a procedure you should follow.

FIRST plug in a 15-30 amp adapter

THEN plug in a volt meter

200+ VOLTS... Do not plug in.

True story.. Plugged in at a moose lodge (20 amp) was chatting with the governor.. He ask me if I'd tried the 60 amp outlet (no) I said "Why is it 240 volt) (I had seen the ganged breakers for it however) It is.

I found the outlet later that day or the next day.

I never plugged into it though.

There are many threads in the assorted forums where the original post goes something like:

I plugged into a 30 amp outlet at my friends.. or
I had an electrician install a 30 amp outlet....

All end badly.

NOTE: Even at an RV park, measuring voltage is a good idea.

[Fred1609]

I never plug in without my surge protector (Portable)...Its the first thing that gets plugged in so by the time I'm set-up outside the unit has finished it 3-4 minute check and I have power.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by CoreyinWP

Plugged into a new outlet at Storage lot,,,and whammo, blew out the PI ems. Board is dead. Glad it is dead and not all my appliances...I hope.

Just for clarification for me....the title said "Blown Surge Protector" that would be the factory installed unit. Is what really blew the Progressive Industries EMS board? If so....I am SO GLAD you had that installed and why mine is sitting in a box waiting for the Anthem to be delivered. I am a firm believer that is one of the first things to be installed. Bad power can come from anywhere at anytime. Congrats on saving your electronics.

[CoreyinWP]

Yes, it was the PI ems board that blew. They sent out a replacement today. All power is cut to the coach until the board is replaced. I am thankful as well.

[Curtisgeiger]

Originally Posted by CoreyinWP

Yes, it was the PI ems board that blew. They sent out a replacement today. All power is cut to the coach until the board is replaced. I am thankful as well.

So you have to run the generator until the board shows up?

Curt

[CoreyinWP]

It is in storage now, so generator not needed. But it would run on generator if necessary.

[DSL417]

Originally Posted by CoreyinWP

It is in storage now, so generator not needed. But it would run on generator if necessary.

Corey,

Curious, do you know what the power issue was...in other words, was the issue something that the on board TRC surge protection would have protected against. Might be useful to put the voltage meter to the outlet to see if it was a surge, low voltage, high voltage, or a ground problem.

[CLIFFTALL]

The PI EMS also has a bypass switch you could use if you were sure the outlet was fixed.

[CoreyinWP]

It was high voltage for sure on one leg. Got the E3 code at first and by time I pulled the manual out the board was dead. Spoke to PI on Saturday . Great service, they sent the board out today.

[TXBart]

I wonder what the onboard surge protection would have done with it.

[DSL417]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

The PI EMS also has a bypass switch you could use if you were sure the outlet was fixed.

Cliff, that's why I ask, as we have the TRC Inc protection built into the coach, but we've had a number of discussions on this thread as to the surge protection provided by the TRCI 41260 system which also acts as transfer switch. While the PI EMS does have a by pass, it would lead to more problems, I think. What the TRC 41260 doesn't say it protects against...high and low voltage (which the 41290 does say it protects against).

For others reading, this is specifically why it has been stated over and over in this forum...get the additional protection, hard wired or portable).

Entegra...if you're reading, this is specifically why you should be using the next generation TRC Inc unit. If Corey doesn't invest in the protection, you're buying a lot of warrantee appliances because of inadequate power protection.

Of course, JMHO

[brobox]

Originally Posted by CoreyinWP

Yes, it was the PI ems board that blew. They sent out a replacement today. All power is cut to the coach until the board is replaced. I am thankful as well.

If the power is now clean, there is a bypass switch on the EMS, but make sure the power source has been repaired and tested.