Sacrificial EMS Surge Protector

[pward]

Have been looking at power monitoring/surge protectors and narrowed it down to an internal mounted unit from Progressive Industries. The write up on Amazon, as well as the schematic, seemed to indicate the MOV module was replaceable in the event of a significant surge. An email to Progressive got an answer that, in the event of a surge, the entire unit would have to be replaced to the tune of $230 give or take. Having built a number of surge protectors myself that really makes little sense other than than the requirement to buy a whole new unit instead of some MOV's. So, will be going with an external unit from Hughes Autoformer instead as their surge module is replaceable. Just wanted to pass along the info for someone looking.

[JFlightRisk]

In the past, the hard wired units were user repairable if they took a bad hit. I read somewhere that Progressive Industries had been bought out, and their policy has changed recently. Hughes is a great product, also.

[pward]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

In the past, the hard wired units were user repairable if they took a bad hit. I read somewhere that Progressive Industries had been bought out, and their policy has changed recently. Hughes is a great product, also.

Replacement surge module for the Hughes is $30 from their site. Most likely will go with their 30 amp hardwired unit so don't have to worry about theft.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by pward

Replacement surge module for the Hughes is $30 from their site. Most likely will go with their 30 amp hardwired unit so don't have to worry about theft.

That's most likely what we'll replace our PI 30 amp portable with, if it ever goes south on us.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by pward

Replacement surge module for the Hughes is $30 from their site. Most likely will go with their 30 amp hardwired unit so don't have to worry about theft.

I went with a PI 30 amp portable, and have a cable lock on it, that I wrap around the pedestal.

Bottom line, I'm not worried about it taking a hit and frying. I'd rather have the portable, that I can just unplug, if it goes south, and still get power to the rig, then a hardwired one that takes a hit, then the rig is dead.

I just look at it, if I end up having to replace the portable because it got fried, it's like having insurance, better to fry the portable unit, then fry the internals of the rig.

At the end of the day, I didn't buy a RV to save money. In my point of view, it's just like my boats were, a box on the ground (versus a hole in the water) that you pour money into.

[pward]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

then a hardwired one that takes a hit, then the rig is dead.

Not with the Hughes internal as it would take about 15 minutes to change out the surge module if you had one on hand. Either way the rv is protected.

[Xboaters]

That figures as I just installed a PI! Dang it! We will see how it plays out.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Xboaters

That figures as I just installed a PI! Dang it! We will see how it plays out.

That will last you a long time, providing you're not a storm chaser! Lol!

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

That will last you a long time, providing you're not a storm chaser! Lol!

I just installed one too. I like having it inside, and not having another phone app to deal with.
I didn't like that they advertised Made in USA, and it arrived with an "assembled in Mexico" sticker covering the "Made in USA".

Next time, if there is a next time, I'll reconsider other brands/ types.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by pward

Not with the Hughes internal as it would take about 15 minutes to change out the surge module if you had one on hand. Either way the rv is protected.

And if you DIDN'T have one on hand in the middle of the Summer... do you sleep and sweat in the dark?

[pward]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

And if you DIDN'T have one on hand in the middle of the Summer... do you sleep and sweat in the dark?

What difference would it make? If the external fried are you gonna throw it away and plug into the same pedestal? Either way you have no power. Regardless, I'd rather spend $30 on a surge module than $200 on a new PI unit.

[Vicr]

The Hughes Watchdog 50a EMS has more protection than the SurgeGuard or Progressive at 4800 joules. When (or if) my SurgeGuard bites the dust I am going with the Hughes. Every joule of protection helps.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by pward

What difference would it make? If the external fried are you gonna throw it away and plug into the same pedestal? Either way you have no power. Regardless, I'd rather spend $30 on a surge module than $200 on a new PI unit.

Well, for starters, I bet 95% of people DON'T carry a replacement module, so they would be SOL with a dead rig, without power, until Amazon sends them a new one (days later).

Second, many times a EMS takes a hit due to a lightening strike, car hitting a pole, or some other one-off spike situations. If your portable EMS takes a hit during this situation, at least you can instantly unplug it, and get some power to the rig. Can't do that with a hardwired unit.

[norty1]

The Progressive Industries warranty, per their website and many owners is lifetime replacement for both hardwired and portable. I had one made by TRC that was fried and they offered to sell me a new one but I have not heard that about PI.

Has anyone had any real life experience that contradicts this warranty? Not debating the comparison of the protection, just the warranty.

If they don't replace them like they used to before the company sale, then they are no better than the others and are shooting themselves in the foot for repeat business.
Member edatlanta has dealt with them recently, I think. maybe he will chime in here.

[TCNashville]

My 5 year old PI portable 30 amp took a dump on me when camping last Sept. It was an internal failure of the unit. Just removed it from the pedestal and plugged directly into the pedestal to power up the camper. I contacted PI while camping and sent the necessary info to their warranty guy and had a brand new unit in 7 days, no charge. Great customer service.

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Well, for starters, I bet 95% of people DON'T carry a replacement module, so they would be SOL with a dead rig, without power, until Amazon sends them a new one (days later).

Second, many times a EMS takes a hit due to a lightening strike, car hitting a pole, or some other one-off spike situations. If your portable EMS takes a hit during this situation, at least you can instantly unplug it, and get some power to the rig. Can't do that with a hardwired unit.

And plug in your spare EMS. Yes, I have two PT50X's and I have had multiple issues in the same location - my home base site due to power company issues.

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by norty1

The Progressive Industries warranty, per their website and many owners is lifetime replacement for both hardwired and portable. I had one made by TRC that was fried and they offered to sell me a new one but I have not heard that about PI.

Has anyone had any real life experience that contradicts this warranty? Not debating the comparison of the protection, just the warranty.

If they don't replace them like they used to before the company sale, then they are no better than the others and are shooting themselves in the foot for repeat business.
Member edatlanta has dealt with them recently, I think. maybe he will chime in here.

My most recent dealings with PI was a couple of years ago. Water intrusion in during a major thunderstorm. PI replaced the unit no questions asked. Now I also had a bad LED indicator on one unit and they replaced that also. Both of these were handled before the sale of the company I think.

I have a nephew that had his PI50X replaced under warranty since the sale and there wasn't an issue.

[Destrtman]

I just ordered the Hughes in 50 amp and the replacement module. I am getting the external mount unit for our Seismic 4116 because there was no place to mount a hardwired unit where it could be easily repaired.

Desertman

[Midnightmoon]

I had a PI portable unit destroyed in a thunderstorm in June of 2018. The unit worked, took the hit, and no damage was done to my Jayco. However, PI would not warranty it due to the fact that it was fried by a lightning strike and not a manufacturers defect or equipment failure.

I ended up with another identical PI unit that I paid for out of pocket and I have no issue with the job it did. The warranty however in my case was just not applicable. I don't even necessarily have an issue with the warranty denial in that case since it was obviously not the fault of the unit or the manufacturer. But, I did just want to note it here just in case someone else faces a similar issue.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by edatlanta

And plug in your spare EMS. Yes, I have two PT50X's and I have had multiple issues in the same location - my home base site due to power company issues.

Yes, that's the best plan, have a backup...


My motto is, one is none, two is one, etc...