Surge protection

THE most important feature of an EMS is personal safety, ie., protection against shock or electrocution (which a basic surge suppressor won't provide) and as well I'll trust a US-made EMS over an off-shore made device.

Lwiddis wrote:
"How important is it really?" Not really important unless there is a surge. Then it's too late. Couple hundred bucks protecting against thousands in repairs.

x2

It is never important until you get a hit.

There are other reasons for a Progressive Industries EMS. It will cut shore power at 104 volts. This prevents heat damage to appliances. This could prevent an early death to some appliances. It, also, prevents incorrectly wired power from coming through to your rig.

RPreeb wrote:
We just got home from our first trip with the Progressive 30 amp portable EMS. The first day we had the AC running when it shut down. about a minute later it came back up.

Your Progressive Industries EMS delay is fixed at 136" - i.e. 2 minutes, 16 seconds - enough time for A/C head pressure to drop to a safe level, at which point the A/C can be safely restarted. For convenience, the hard wire PI version offers a choice between a 15" delay (when A/C is not being used) or 136" when it is.

I have the HW-50C and the Hughes Autoformer wired in the basement.
I also use the SSP-50XL at the power pedestal. I get the SSP-50XL out first to make sure power is good before I set up. I have had to move because of a bad pedestal.

Hyperbole in RV accessory advertising. who'd of thunk it?
bumpy :)

pianotuna wrote:
Someone could compare the top of the line PI EMS with the Hughes Autoformer.

I see no reference to UL 1449 which cover SPDs. PI and TRC both have UL 1449 listed devices. If the Hughes isn't UL listed, they can make whatever claims they want. It looks like Hughes has revamped their website. I can't find any reference to UL or CSA (nor to IEEE). I have seen it stated before that it contains components that are UL listed, but as an overall assembly, their autoformers have no UL listing. It's not possible to compare apples to apples when their product is not UL listed and the others are. Getting a product UL or CSA listed is very expensive and I'd assume that's why it isn't.

Hughes now claims they have:
The World's ONLY "All-in-One" RV Power Solution
Our Patented RV voltage booster now with Advanced Surge Protection + Complete LED Park Power Diagnostics for the Most Complete Protection Available

What the heck is "Advanced Surge Protection"? I can't find any description. The front cover of the 30 amp autoformer says 2400 joules yet the description states 4800 joules. I would appear that if their is a surge that damages MOVs, it continues to function Their autoformers do not disconnect an RV if there is an open ground, open neutral or reverse polarity. Does not provide a readout of current, voltage, Hz or error codes like a PI EMS or Surge Guard does. You do get a free plug-in digital voltmeter with every autoformer purchase tho!

Their website contains a lot of misleading, confusing and incorrect info. As a device to boost low voltage (in two fixed steps), it works and can keep you going when CG voltage is low. As a surge suppressor or "the most complete protection available", forget about it. I say shame on Hughes but that's JMO. I bought a used Hughes unit for it's autoformer function only and am happy with it.

Someone could compare the top of the line PI EMS with the Hughes Autoformer.

Lifetime generally means either lifetime of the ORIGINAL OWNER or life of the company (Please do not ask I actually work .. sort of,,, for a company that changed it's name to get out of lifetime contracts... ).

And yes, all warranties are limited, Attach a hand grenade to it, pull the pin and run like blazes.. NOT COVERED... (Ok so I'm being a bit...er.. extreme but you get the idea I hope).

Someone talked about thise EMS/Surge guard units and autoformers.

Though both offer some level of SPIKE supression.. they do completly differnet jobs. Neither is a sub for the other. You need both With the EMS/Surge guard between the autoformer and your RV.

We just got home from our first trip with the Progressive 30 amp portable EMS. The first day we had the AC running when it shut down. about a minute later it came back up. I didn't bother with going out to see what the code might have been - I was just happy that I had it and it did its job. Although it isn't rated as waterproof, it's pretty resistant to moisture, because we sat through some true gullywashers over the last week in Iowa, and the EMS stood up to the challenge. It may be the best purchase I've yet made for my TT.

Bumpyroad wrote:

TechWriter wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:

WHY PI: instead of TRC (I have TRC) PI has lifetime warranty. TRC is 1 or 2 years (Forget which) NOTE NO complaints on my TRC

Remember that "lifetime" doesn't mean "unlimited". Read PI's Warranty.

include a copy of original sales receipt. Gee, where did I lay that down 15 years ago? but if it is lifetime, what difference does the purchase date make? I guess they don't cover stolen units?
bumpy

That's why I like to scan everything!