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MRichaud · 11-11-2021, 05:29 AM

Mornin', all!

Couple days ago our Progressive Industries PT50X portable EMS failed with an "E8" error code (low line frequency). Also displayed "PE8", which means Previous Error. The inverter took over, and we were on battery power. What was strange, though, was the outlets on the driver's side of the coach were dead; passenger side was fine. Oh, and the circuit breakers in the coach had no affect on the power. Anyone care to venture a guess as to the reason for those two symptoms?

Anyway, I shut down the breaker on the pedestal, unplugged the EMS, and contacted the RV park office. They sent out the maintenance guy who checked the pedestal and all was well. We plugged the EMS back in and still registered the two error codes. So, the park owner's coach was right next to ours, and with the owner's permission the maintenance guy borrowed their EMS (same model, as it happened). Took a few minutes to power up, but all was OK.

I noticed the instructions for the EMS said that the "PE" code would clear/reset after disconnecting; mine didn't. Instructions said to fill out warranty claim available online for a new unit. So I did, complete with a couple of required pictures and proof of purchase. Since I got it from Amazon, I had no receipt, but was able to pull up the Amazon notification of shipment. That was May of 2020.

One hour later (!) I received an email from PI saying the claim was approved and a new one would be on its way. Very happy here, and kudos to Progressive Industries!

Cheers,
Mickey

TXiceman · 11-11-2021, 08:30 AM

PI has always had service well beyond what many others provide.

Ken

**hamm2018** · 11-11-2021, 08:39 AM

We had the same issue in July on one we bought in April, they did the same for us. It took about 10 days to get a replacement, so far so good with it.

MRichaud · 11-11-2021, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamm2018

We had the same issue in July on one we bought in April, they did the same for us. It took about 10 days to get a replacement, so far so good with it.

Did you also lose half of your electrical outlets? That's what really puzzles me, along with the circuit breakers being inactive.

MSHappyCampers · 11-11-2021, 05:06 PM

I wish all companies were as customer-oriented as PI!

**hamm2018** · 11-12-2021, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRichaud

Did you also lose half of your electrical outlets? That's what really puzzles me, along with the circuit breakers being inactive.

Lost one side of the incoming power, making one side of power box go out in the RV.

MRUSA14 · 11-12-2021, 08:28 AM

My PI EMS was purchased in 2003 and is still working like new.

paul65k · 11-12-2021, 08:35 AM

So happy to see this thread and the response from PI. We have had similar experiences with them in the past as well.

We will not have another RV without one of their systems installed

ralph0808 · 11-12-2021, 02:33 PM

I have had outstanding service from PI also. They replaced a portable 50 for me also and I don’t remember the error code but their warranty is for real!

Persistent · 11-13-2021, 10:27 AM

"Couple days ago our Progressive Industries PT50X portable EMS failed with an "E8" error code (low line frequency). Also displayed "PE8", which means Previous Error. The inverter took over, and we were on battery power. What was strange, though, was the outlets on the driver's side of the coach were dead; passenger side was fine. Oh, and the circuit breakers in the coach had no affect on the power. Anyone care to venture a guess as to the reason for those two symptoms?"

Of course the inverter engages when main shore power or generator power is "off". Different inverters are designed to do different things.

Possibilities:

A 120 volt inverter in a 50 amp 240 volt system will only power one leg of the 50 amp 240 volt system.

The inverter may not have enough capacity supply all appliances, so the inverter may be wired to a limited set of outlets.

An RV EMS may load shed when the inverter can't keep up with the load.

I wish you good luck and happy trials ahead!

MRichaud · 11-13-2021, 03:48 PM

Well, that was fast! UPS just delivered the replacement EMS. Thanks, Progressive Industries!

MRichaud · 11-13-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persistent

"Couple days ago our Progressive Industries PT50X portable EMS failed with an "E8" error code (low line frequency). Also displayed "PE8", which means Previous Error. The inverter took over, and we were on battery power. What was strange, though, was the outlets on the driver's side of the coach were dead; passenger side was fine. Oh, and the circuit breakers in the coach had no affect on the power. Anyone care to venture a guess as to the reason for those two symptoms?"

Of course the inverter engages when main shore power or generator power is "off". Different inverters are designed to do different things.

Possibilities:

A 120 volt inverter in a 50 amp 240 volt system will only power one leg of the 50 amp 240 volt system.

The inverter may not have enough capacity supply all appliances, so the inverter may be wired to a limited set of outlets.

An RV EMS may load shed when the inverter can't keep up with the load.

I wish you good luck and happy trials ahead!

Thank you, Paul - makes sense.

So, are the circuit breakers inoperative with inverter engaged?

Persistent · 11-14-2021, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRichaud

Thank you, Paul - makes sense.

So, are the circuit breakers inoperative with inverter engaged?

Different RV's are wired differently. Breakers that are not powered by the inverter will switch, but there is no power to flow. Breakers that are powered by the inverter should work normally.

In some systems, the circuit breaker built into the inverter is the only output breaker. Usually these systems are small. Maybe 1500 watts or less.

Fishar · 11-14-2021, 07:22 AM

Great company. I had one fail and it turned out to be full of water. They sent me a new one no questions asked (well I did send them pictures). Didn't even ask for the bad one back.