Surge protectors

I have the EMS PT50C. I full time and have seen so many power issues at various rv parks as well as my home base site, I absolutely will not plug in anywhere without it. Call it paranoid, but I have two PT50C's. One in service and a brand new one still in the box. It will be put into service if the main one ever has to go back for service. When I mean I will not plug in without one, I'm serious.

steveownby wrote:

Curlida wrote:
Hey all,
First let me thank all of you for your good advice and input,it has been a big help for us newbies. Anyway I am looking at surge protectors and would like to know if anyone has experience with a 50 amp smart surge protector made by progressive industries inc. it lists for about $130.00. My wife and I, like many of you are retired and on a fixed income so really don't want to spend $400 or $500 dollars. I read some good reviews on that one and I went to the manfg. Web site and saw they have upgraded it. Manf. # is ssp50 and the upgraded one is ssp50x. If this is not recommended can someone suggest another reasonably priced one. Thanks again.

2016 Montana 3711FL
Chevy Silverado 3500 w/ airbags and B&W companion hitch.

2 days ago, I was drinking my morning cup when my power went off abruptly. This was just about daylight and after 30 minutes or so, I went out to investigate. I observed a few lights on but as it was early the state of the campground power was hard to determine.



I looked in the bay where my Progressive resides. The display was flashing all 8888. I had never seen that or seen it documented. I placed a call to Progressive and left a message. As I hung up from the call, the display changed to flashing an E4 code plus a voltage of 87 on L1 and 84 on L2. This is the 50 amp hard wired EMS unit with remote display.

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Progressive-EMS-HW50C-RV-Surge-Protector-p/emshw50c.htm



As I waited for a call back, some other campers gathered in the street as campers do when issues arise. Some reported a "brown out" lighting condition and others reported A/C units that were struggling to run or were trying to start but couldn't.

I'm sure that those folks incurred some cumulative damage to their A/C that will shorten it's life.



I got a call back & after describing all conditions to the Progressive tech, he said the 8888 code indicated that the voltage was so low, typically in them85-90 range that the unit couldn't analyze. About this time an employee of the campground came by our little group and told us that a power line had been hit by a lift truck at the marina next door.



Very long story but the moral is, the Progressive protected my coach from any damage occurring from the bad power condition. The great tech support was added moral support.



Good power was restored about an hour later. Some unprotected folks had appliances struggling with damagingly low voltage for a total of nearly 2 hours. A year or two down the line, they will have a failure that they will not realize is directly related to this event & will tell folks that these EMS/Surge protectors are a waste of money.

Thanks for the info on the flashing "8888". I have never seen that and hope I never do, but it will be nice to know what it is if it ever happens.

Get the PI and definitely shop the price.

I want to add a word of praise for PI and the PT30C. I had a SG that died when we had our Class A and was informed that no repair parts were available for their 4 year old unit. Purchased a PI PT50C and was so happy with it that I purchased a PT30C when we bought our hotel room (Ar-One 15RB) on wheels. The PT30C worked great on the way home but refused to trip when hooked up at home in my 5 year old shop. Looked at the read out and it was showing 134 volts AC, a high voltage situation. The voltage was actually 124 AC according to 2 other meters. Contacted PI and explained the situation and they immediately sent me a new one and payed for the return shipping on the faulty unit. The reason it worked OK on the way home with the new trailer is the simple fact that most CGs are old and have voltages that run on the low side. I do remember the PI showing 127V at one CG on the way home. Buy an electrical management unit not just a surge guard.
Randy

Electrical Management Devices have their vulnerabilities.

Best for the consumer to study with no bias both the pros and the cons before buying.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Electrical Management Devices have their vulnerabilities.

So does crossing the street but that doesn't mean we shouldn't and is no reason any RV owner shouldn't seriously consider the many benefits of protecting their rig's electrical system with an EMS. I know I'd never plug in without one.

Our PI EMS shut us down once this season with low voltage (106 before turning anything on) and a simultaneous intermittent open ground. The maintenance guy (non-electrician) kept repeating "but I just replaced the pedestal -there's nothing wrong with it". Clearly there was and it was unsafe too. Too many campgrounds have unqualified staff working on pedestals.

I wouldn't go anywhere without an EMS. Progressive industries has the best one. EMS units often incorrectly get called a surge protector. You want an EMS... VERY cheap insurance against damage and can also prevent a potentially dangerous condition as well.

I've also learned now that CG pedestals can be so bad you shouldn't use it or can't even use it at all and you should be prepared to dry camp if necessary or have a generator.

Plug the product brand name and model/part number into google and shop 'til you drop on the internet. Going price for an HW50C looks to be around around $300 or less, or you *could* go to CW and get it "on sale" for $390...

Progressive Industries is a fine example of manufacturer integrity and customer experience. No, I have no connection with the company other than I bought their 50-amp LCHW50 unit in 2006.
Earlier this month (Oct 2015) I lost power at a campsite. After ensuring that there was power going to my coach and finding no reason for failure other than that my electronic display was showing nothing, I called the company.
Anthony in tech support spent about half an hour coaching this country bumpkin how to test the unit with a multimeter only to find that the unit had a problem. Then he spent at least an hour more talking my way through bypassing the unit so I could have power with some protection.
Then they sent me a new unit with the understanding that I return the old one once the new one was installed. All free except for the return postage.
Another tech, Donald, helped me undo the bypass. Good stuff, good policy and good people.

Take a look at EBay. I found a used Progessive unit for less than half price of new and it works great. Sometimes you have to be patient until you find one. I have been saved from low voltage twice since Ive had it and I wouldnt be without. A new AC unit costs much more ... this happened to me before I got the protection. If you have time to wait, the hunt is fun actually.

This may well be the individual who coined the buzzword SURGE PROTECTOR





Go ahead and yell at me. I'm a big boy. I've steeled myself (somewhat)