EMS Recommendation

[TCNashville]

Looking for recommendations on an EMS. Currently looking at portable units in 30 amp. 3 have grabbed my attention, Progressive Industries, TRC and Camco. All the reviews seem pretty good and price is comparable with the PI and the TRC, but the Camco unit is much cheaper -$80, seemingly doing the same thing. Any advice is appreciated. One other question [which I think I already know the answer]. Will the 30amp EMS function normally if plugged into a 50 to 30amp adapter?

[ttavasc]

What model is the Camco unit? I went with the PI 30amp portable and have been very pleased with it so far. It's protected the unit from a couple of different hiccups over this last season. And it does work fine via a dog bone and 50amp outlet.

[tylersdad]

We have the Camco unit. As far as I know, it's never been triggered. On paper, it has the same level of protection as the PI and TRC. We used the $80 we saved on something else for the RV.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

What model is the Camco unit?

Here's the Camco unit.

Item

[norty1]

My only question is, will Camco repair the unit if it goes bad out of warranty.
I know PI will and TRC will not.
That would make my decision.

[WDW]

We hard wired a PI. Saved us last summer. We have a very new 30 Amp SP brand that we no longer need. We moved up to 50 Amp in our new coach.

[Bookemdanno]

I have the PI. I don't know that it does "anything", but I know it works. It works on the 50A down to 30A converter that I have too. Main reason I purchased PI is as norty1 stated above.

[gcloss]

I have a hard wired Progressive Industries 30 map unit. It has saved me a few times with low voltage and a reversed neutral.

I followed the link to the Camco unit and was surprised to see the portable unit is only "weather resistant" and not waterproof. For something that will be exposed to severe weather elements I'd be hesitant about the Camco unit.

Remember you get what you pay for.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by norty1

My only question is, will Camco repair the unit if it goes bad out of warranty.
I know PI will and TRC will not.
That would make my decision.

Looks like TRC states a 1-year warranty but the PI states "Lifetime Warranty" with the usual disclaimers excluding abuse, etc. This was one of the reasons I picked up the PI.

Originally Posted by gcloss

I followed the link to the Camco unit and was surprised to see the portable unit is only "weather resistant" and not waterproof. For something that will be exposed to severe weather elements I'd be hesitant about the Camco unit.

"Weather Resistant" is the same term used on both the PI and TRC web sites for their portable EMS systems. On the TRC web site they define "Weather Resistant" as the following:

The term “Weather Resistant”, sometimes described as “Rainproof”, is used to describe many electrical products that are manufactured for outdoor
use. Surge Guard products described as “Weather Resistant” can be used in most outdoor environments. Please note that these products should not be submerged under water at any time.

[3'senough]

PI hardwire is my vote. Has gone off at least 15 times over the 2 years for mostly low voltage also bad grounds. Love the remote display for checking the sytems status on both lines (50A).

[SouthCo]

Get the Progressive Industries model. It's worth the little bit more it costs...

[tylersdad]

Why is the PI worth more? What does it have that the Camco or TRC don't?

[SouthCo]

Better protection and better warranty... What model Camco do you have?

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by tylersdad

Why is the PI worth more? What does it have that the Camco or TRC don't?

In addition to the lifetime warranty the PI units protect against open grounds. Previous TRC models did not but the current 30amp model 34830 has the open ground protection listed as a new feature. I can't find anything on the Camco that states whether or not it protects against open ground. One of the instances where my unit detected faults this last season was a transient open ground. Popped up twice during the week we were at that site.

[tylersdad]

After looking at the Camco warranty, I think it would be better to have the PI warranty. The Camco warranty is extremely limited.

[tylersdad]

The Camco checks for open grounds.

[havnfun]

Haven't used the others, but I hardwired a 30A Progressive and it saved me twice this year. Love the lifetime warranty.
Happy RVing,
Jeff

[edatlanta]

I have the PI PT50C and full time. I can not count the times I have returned to my site to see the microwave clock is off. This means that shore power has been off. So I go out and look at the PT50C to see what caused it Unless the incoming power was what went off the PT50C will show the reason it shut down the power. I can not count the times I have been shut down for low voltage and open grounds. The one kicker was when I was at my home base a couple of years ago and it shut me down two mornings in a row for high voltage. This means over 132.0v. It seems the transformer that supplied my home base area (all s&b except me) was failing. The power company replaced it a couple of hours later, but I had already shut off my breaker at the power pole.

I am so paranoid about shore power, especially at RV parks, I have two PT50C's. One is still in it's original box and will only be used if my everyday one fails and has to go back for lifetime warranty service. I absolutely will not plug in anywhere without my PI EMS.

[TWP723]

PI 30Amp portable.

[TCNashville]

I went ahead and ordered the PI model. The warranty was the kicker and the fact that their made in North Carolina, I believe. Plus I hear that their customer service is top notch. Thanks for all the info and advice.