I installed a hard wired surge protector this weekend.(Progressive Industries EMSHW30C $253 @ Amazon) It was actually a pretty simple task and only took an hour or so. For those interested these are the steps I took.
First you have to locate the junction box where the power cable ties into the inside wiring. Look for where the 30 amp cable enters the RV on the outside and it should be opposite that inside.On my 29RTPR this is in the middle of the back wall. Pull all the cable out so you will have working space inside the enclosure. Inside I found a panel with 2 screws behind the right center cabinet door below the TV. You will need a S2 square head driver to remove the screws. The box was directly behind the panel. Loosen 2 screws on the jct. box top and remove the cover. The screws that hold the clamps and the junction box to the floor are also S2.
Cut the black tape off to reveal the connections. Unscrew the wire nuts and pull each cable out of the box. The metal clamp is easy to remove after backing off on the screws but I had to cut the plastic clamp with a serrated knife in a couple places to get it to release. A Dremel tool with cut off wheel would have been a big help but mine was at work ๐ If you remove the two black cable clamps you can pull the box far enough out of the cabinet to make it easier to work on.
The wires are already stripped the right length for installing in the surge protector, but you will have to crimp connectors onto the ground wires. You can probably get by with pliers for this but I had a wire crimping tool which does a better job. Here's a photo of inside the surge protector after wiring is connected. The installation guide has a picture showing what the box should look like so it's easy to match the wiring
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Here is what the finished job looks like.
I drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the right front corner of the shelf to feed the data cable for the indicator. I decided to mount mine on the door as I have an oversized TV that pretty much covers the TV console area. The indicator cycles between Voltage in, amps used and error code (E-0) by default = no error.
First you have to locate the junction box where the power cable ties into the inside wiring. Look for where the 30 amp cable enters the RV on the outside and it should be opposite that inside.On my 29RTPR this is in the middle of the back wall. Pull all the cable out so you will have working space inside the enclosure. Inside I found a panel with 2 screws behind the right center cabinet door below the TV. You will need a S2 square head driver to remove the screws. The box was directly behind the panel. Loosen 2 screws on the jct. box top and remove the cover. The screws that hold the clamps and the junction box to the floor are also S2.
Cut the black tape off to reveal the connections. Unscrew the wire nuts and pull each cable out of the box. The metal clamp is easy to remove after backing off on the screws but I had to cut the plastic clamp with a serrated knife in a couple places to get it to release. A Dremel tool with cut off wheel would have been a big help but mine was at work ๐ If you remove the two black cable clamps you can pull the box far enough out of the cabinet to make it easier to work on.
The wires are already stripped the right length for installing in the surge protector, but you will have to crimp connectors onto the ground wires. You can probably get by with pliers for this but I had a wire crimping tool which does a better job. Here's a photo of inside the surge protector after wiring is connected. The installation guide has a picture showing what the box should look like so it's easy to match the wiring
\
Here is what the finished job looks like.
I drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the right front corner of the shelf to feed the data cable for the indicator. I decided to mount mine on the door as I have an oversized TV that pretty much covers the TV console area. The indicator cycles between Voltage in, amps used and error code (E-0) by default = no error.
