Progressive Industries Electrical Management System

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

On the hardwired version, how important is the remote?

I’m considering not bothering with buying the version with the remote, mainly because of the bother of running the wiring for it from the electrical service bay to the inside of the coach.

If the remote is really useful, I would run the wire. But I figure the device will protect me from electrical problems and I can always check in the bay if I need to look at the readout. Which I would expect to be infrequently.

Am I missing something?

Wayne

[Bobbo]

CA Traveler wrote:
Unfortunately the unit does not have a battery and if pedestal power turns off/on then the unit resets and there is no fault displayed.

This is true, just like you had unplugged and driven to the next campground. The unit can't tell the difference between complete power loss at the pedestal and you unplugging the RV.

[Hornnumb2]

Mine power comes in under the bathroom sink, so the box is mounted there with the remote mounted inside the cabinet. If I need to see the display I just open the door under the sink.

[aruba5er]

I watch mine all the time. Shows how poor the wiring in the campgrounds is. I can tell when to cut back or if my wife needs to dry her hair ,I can turn off the coffee maker. I'm glad to be able to watch the display.

[Joel_T]

I wanted an easy way to see the display info but without the constant blinking light nuisance so mounted it at the floor behind a cabinet door.

[SoundGuy]

CA Traveler wrote:
Nope, PE only works if the PI unit does not lose input power. For example low/high voltage.

I lost power completely while camping 3 times this season and on that second occasion once power was restored several hours later my EMS-HW30C's previous error code indicated that during that loss of power event it had detected an open ground. In fact, here's a pic of that exact event - PE2, "previous error 2" which means open ground.

[vermilye]

If you frequent 15 amp sites, you will find the remote useful for monitoring current. For example, I switch off my water heater before making coffee, etc. Saves going out in the rain to reset the pedestal breaker...

[CA_Traveler]

SoundGuy wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
Unfortunately the unit does not have a battery and if pedestal power turns off/on then the unit resets and there is no fault displayed.

Of course there is, it's the PE (previous error) function.

Nope, PE only works if the PI unit does not lose input power. For example low/high voltage.

[SoundGuy]

CA Traveler wrote:
Unfortunately the unit does not have a battery and if pedestal power turns off/on then the unit resets and there is no fault displayed.

Of course there is, it's the PE (previous error) function.

[Blacklane]

I found the flashing display too annoying for inside the camper. Every second, it flashes a new display of information that doesn't change. All night long.

Mine is mounted in an outside storage compartment. Really, you only look at it when you first connect power. After that, if you lose power for any reason, you're going to have to go outside to troubleshoot.

[CA_Traveler]

Winged One wrote:
It has been very nice also to easily identify whether we had a problem while away from the trailer (it has happened more than a couple times at private campgrounds).

X2 Works great for low voltage, etc. Plus I would probably not go open a outside locker to see the remote when returning to the rig, think inside remote - just saying...

Unfortunately the unit does not have a battery and if pedestal power turns off/on then the unit resets and there is no fault displayed.

[Winged_One]

In my case, I am very happy with having the remote. It was the easiest part of the install and I use it a lot to keep an eye on amp usage. We most often camp in State Parks with 30 amp service and I want to ensure we don't over do it.

It has been very nice also to easily identify whether we had a problem while away from the trailer (it has happened more than a couple times at private campgrounds).

Installed it so it was easy to see, but facing a direction it would not be annoying.

[SoundGuy]

dbates wrote:
You won't notice the blinking light if you mount the monitor in the RV and if you loose power it's convenient to be able to see why from inside your RV. It's also nice to be able to see how many amps individual appliances draw and what voltage is available.

I mounted the monitor above the galley drawers which is directly facing the MH door. This way I can walk around the MH, look in the door, see the monitor and know if there is a pedestal problem.

Same here ... I mounted the remote display beside the sofa on the street side wall where it's directly opposite the entry door on the curb side so with the door open I can see instantly what the EMS is telling me without even having to go inside the camper. I too thought the display would be distracting but in fact haven't found that to be an issue at all. Our last time out we lost power at 4 am, which I discovered when I woke up to use the bathroom ... sure was nice not having to go outside with snow everywhere and temps hovering around the freezing mark to know there was a problem, the EMS had automatically disconnected us from that problem, and that the trailer had switched over to battery power and gas. I just turned off the trailer's main breaker and went back to bed while the EMS continued to monitor the situation. :B

[dbates]

You won't notice the blinking light if you mount the monitor in the RV and if you loose power it's convenient to be able to see why from inside your RV. It's also nice to be able to see how many amps individual appliances draw and what voltage is available.

I mounted the monitor above the galley drawers which is directly facing the MH door. This way I can walk around the MH, look in the door, see the monitor and know if there is a pedestal problem.

Dave

[CA_Traveler]

The remote is a great display for voltage and amps and being inside allows me to better manage the rig loads in the all to common 30A low voltage CGs. Mine is in a cabinet and I can open the door or not.

Mount it anywhere since a longer DATA cable was $3 on ebay.

[time2roll]

It is Ok but is fairly bright and perpetually flashing with the different info.
If you have reasonable access, skip the remote is fine.