50 amp hard wired surge protector

[jasum]

Does anyone know where to look on a Jayco Pinnacle to find where to splice in a surge protector?

Thanks

[klassic]

Take down the back wall of the storage area and put your surge protector in there.
Do like a lot of guys have done and pull your wires out of the converter panel and wire them into the surge protector then buy a few feet of 6 gauge wire from the Depot and wire those back into the converter. Don't cut your factory wires.
This way when you sell the rig, or something happens you can take your surge protector out and put the wires back like they were. Otherwise they will be too short.

[justman]

Originally Posted by klassic

Take down the back wall of the storage area and put your surge protector in there.
Do like a lot of guys have done and pull your wires out of the converter panel and wire them into the surge protector then buy a few feet of 6 gauge wire from the Depot and wire those back into the converter. Don't cut your factory wires.
This way when you sell the rig, or something happens you can take your surge protector out and put the wires back like they were. Otherwise they will be too short.

This is what I did on my previous trailer...and to the one we currently have. Makes changing it out easier too if you have a warranty issue.

[jasum]

My surge protector has an incoming shore power side and a coach ( main load ) side.
Just want to make sure I install it properly.
After seeing the crappy job my last RV dealer did installing, I know I can do a much better job with it.
Everything on my Jayco Pinnacle is sooooooo different than the Mobile Suites I had.
Very pleased with the Jayco so far!!

[RedHorse1]

This my installation. You are looking towards the rear beneath the stairway. As Klassic suggests, behind the back wall of the basement.

[Fingerlakes]

I installed ours next to the transfer switch from the generator. It's located behind the back wall in back of the panel that has the central vac mounted on it (36 FBTS). Easy install and if you have questions call Progressive and they will gladly help you out. I did find that Jayco had swapped the wires as far as the color "code" that is in your directions so I just wired it in to match the way Jayco had wired the coach (wire color on the matching lug) just to keep things the same. I ran the remote wire up behind the converter and mounted the little monitor head below the inverter control panel. I removed the switch plate for the ceiling fan and brought the wire through the corner of that opening and didn't have to drill any holes. Make sure ALL your power is off-A/C & D/C before you mess with any wiring to avoid an oops. Good luck- it really is easy.

[Inthewind]

I think most Jaycos are going to be similar in the install. No need to get fancy so I just installed mine and put it in the same place everyone else is suggesting. Easy install in under 2 hours and I even had to re-wire my outlet because it came from the factory with some major cuts on all wires.

Good luck!

[jasum]

Thank all of you for your replies.......
I took the panel off and am totally lost!
Nothing looks like I expected.
Not sure if an 2016 Pinnacle 36KPTS is different or what??

[Inthewind]

Originally Posted by jasum

Thank all of you for your replies.......
I took the panel off and am totally lost!
Nothing looks like I expected.
Not sure if an 2016 Pinnacle 36KPTS is different or what??

I believe all Jaycos have the inbound shore power on the drivers side so getting to that behind the panel is all you really need to do to install it.

Did it look like this or similar behind the panel?

[jasum]

Originally Posted by Inthewind

I believe all Jaycos have the inbound shore power on the drivers side so getting to that behind the panel is all you really need to do to install it.

Did it look like this or similar behind the panel?

It kind of looks like yours.....but think it is different??
On my old 5th wheel, when the dealer installed the surge protector they cut the cord and spliced into the surge protector.
On this Jayco I am not sure where anything is located.
It has the real on the rear drivers side to wind up the 50 amp cord & I don't see how I could get into that small space to install.
Not sure what I need to do.........

[Spanky1]

Fingerlakes, I was hoping someone with a Pinnacle with a Generator would respond. I am about to do the hardwire install in mine and just wanted to confirm the incoming electric wasn't going somewhere else first before it gets to the transfer switch. Would have been nice if the power didn't have to run the length of the trailer before getting to the switch. Even if it kicks off there is still that hot feed all the way there.
Did you use 6 gauge wire for the connection from the EMS to the transfer switch?

[Loboclone]

My suggestion is don't hard wire a surge protector......I did last year and it failed in Mexico. Progressive Dynamics unit failed on one leg, not the pedestal issue. had to get an electrician to splice the #6 wires together with crimped connectors. Cost a fortune to fix. I will never hard wire again.......pedestal only for me.

[Larry G.]

No hard wire for us either.



We like portable (moveable) things like our Pathway X2 Sat dish, our Progressive Industries EMS-PT50C and of course our rig among other things.

[Spanky1]

Originally Posted by Loboclone

My suggestion is don't hard wire a surge protector......I did last year and it failed in Mexico. Progressive Dynamics unit failed on one leg, not the pedestal issue. had to get an electrician to splice the #6 wires together with crimped connectors. Cost a fortune to fix. I will never hard wire again.......pedestal only for me.

My biggest concern was that the power would still be hot the entire length of the trailer until to the transfer switch in the front cargo area. Would only take 10 minutes to pull the shore power out of the EMS and put it right back into the transfer switch where it's located. Did you have any other damage other than the EMS?

[Fingerlakes]

Spanky!-as far as I could tell the power goes straight to the transfer switch. I used #6/4 wire for the short piece I had to use as a "filler". Like you say- it wouldn't be very hard to jump back over to the original wiring if needed. I didn't want the portable device as they are not waterproof and could possibly be stolen. I ran the wire for the remote read out device up behind the converter (had to pull the converter out a little) and then out of the corner of the switch plate for the ceiling fan. I can see the read out from most anywhere in the lower living area making it very convenient. Also, I turned off ALL power sources before doing any work. No room for oops!

[Larry G.]

Originally Posted by Fingerlakes

I didn't want the portable device as they are not waterproof and could possibly be stolen.

Well this from Progressive;

"Weather Resistant: Unit can be exposed to the elements, however, may not be submerged."

We don't plan on "submerging" our unit. Ours has been in all kinds of weather including heavy rain, thunderstorms, snow, strong winds, sand storms....you get the idea.

This also from their website;

"Built-In Locking Bracket:
Allows the user to secure the EMS to power source to prevent theft."

As far as being worried about someone stealing it there are ways we lock it to the pedestal but usually do not worry about it so not a good excuse in our opinion.

Oh...if we ever do decide to move to a new rig no problem bringing our portable EMS along.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by Loboclone

My suggestion is don't hard wire a surge protector......I did last year and it failed in Mexico. Progressive Dynamics unit failed on one leg, not the pedestal issue. had to get an electrician to splice the #6 wires together with crimped connectors. Cost a fortune to fix. I will never hard wire again.......pedestal only for me.

Why didn't the bypass feature work?

[Loboclone]

Originally Posted by klassic

Why didn't the bypass feature work?

I didn't have a bypass feature

[Loboclone]

Originally Posted by Spanky1

My biggest concern was that the power would still be hot the entire length of the trailer until to the transfer switch in the front cargo area. Would only take 10 minutes to pull the shore power out of the EMS and put it right back into the transfer switch where it's located. Did you have any other damage other than the EMS?

No

[norty1]

I have a buddy who put 50a plugs on his hardwired unit to allow it to be bypassed just in case.

I like my portable.