Progressive EMS

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Octopus Prime

snip...... Does anyone have the hardwired one?
Your thoughts?

Never leave home or the campsite without it....., great product.



Bob

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by robert9999

I have the portable & its plug & play, that's it. I use a good quality plastic bag over the unit with a small hole cut on top so the plug wire gets through it & keeps the rain off. I lock it on the pedestal with a chain & padlock. No need to always be seeing the display. When the lights go out I walk outside to inspect the power pedestal anyway to see if a circuit breaker tripped off. Great unit & no regrets that its a portable. I can use it for other plug ins if needed. I would buy the portable again if needed. I used it for well over 170 camping nights without problems. It saved my unit a few times from under surge.

This is exactly why I installed a hardwired unit, plug in the cord and done. Don't need to use a plastic bag to keep it dry, Don't have to lock it to the pedestal hoping someone won't steal it, When the power goes out I don't have to walk outside in the rain and move the wet bag to read the code. To each their own but to me it was a no brainer and less than 30 minutes to install the hardwired unit

[damammel]

I installed the EMS-HW30C and it is just what I was looking for. Made in the USA, able to be serviced in place, bypass for When I'm using the generator and easy to install once I fit myself under the bunk to install it. Instead of trying to be able to see the readout all the time, it installed in the storage space so I can easily check if I have a concern.

[wabirch]

Appreciate the install location pics.

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by Mark S

I have the portable Progressive PMS and am happy with it. It has caught a couple of problems already so I would not go with out it. I like that I can just take it out of the system or replace it easily if needed. That and I didn't feel like doing the install when I purchased it. My only fear is forgetting it on the campground pedestal when I am 300 miles down the road. So far that has t happened

I keep my Seneca at home and plug in to the house electrical system. I have been using the PMS but am wondering if I really need it while at home. Any thoughts?

I have an EMS-PT50X (used to be PT50C) and I NEVER EVER plug in anywhere without it. I actually have two of them. One to use if the primary ever has to go back for service. This has happened twice over my 8 years full time.

To comment on your question about needing it when plugged in at home, my answer is yes. While on my home base site (residential neighborhood) I have had two problems that my EMS saved me from. The first was sustained high voltage due to a failing power company transformer. My next door neighbor in a home said later he had lost most of the incandescent light bulbs in his home. I had no damage. The second time was due to high voltage spikes. The power company didn't even know it was happening. It was always very early in the morning. It took them a couple of weeks to find it and then stop it. I took a picture of the EMS screen showing the error code and sent to them. One of the lineman that came out said he was going to buy a PT50X after seeing mine.

So back to my original response - NEVER EVER without my PT50X !

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

This is exactly why I installed a hardwired unit, plug in the cord and done. Don't need to use a plastic bag to keep it dry, Don't have to lock it to the pedestal hoping someone won't steal it, When the power goes out I don't have to walk outside in the rain and move the wet bag to read the code. To each their own but to me it was a no brainer and less than 30 minutes to install the hardwired unit

Obviously to each his own, but when my portable gets zapped and has to go back for service (this has happened to me twice) I pull my spare unit out and plug it in. I'm still protected. Not as easy with the hard wired unit, but since the "guts" are field replaceable (is this still an option since the company has new owners?) I guess you could do it if you had the spare "guts".

I use my EMS 24/7/365 and have for the past 8 years. It hasn't taken off walking yet.

[jloco]

The newer versions of both the 30a and 50a portables have a built in weather protection that covers the plug. There's no need for a bag or anything to cover it.
Portable or hardwired, you should still check the pedestal if the power goes out. I always do just to make sure everything is ok back there and it's not up in flames!!LOL!.
Again, It's just a matter of preference. My power cable goes in to my rig over by the water heater. It's very tight in there. This was the primary reason I went portable. If I had a more open area, I may have gone hard wired.

[robert9999]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

This is exactly why I installed a hardwired unit, plug in the cord and done. Don't need to use a plastic bag to keep it dry, Don't have to lock it to the pedestal hoping someone won't steal it, When the power goes out I don't have to walk outside in the rain and move the wet bag to read the code. To each their own but to me it was a no brainer and less than 30 minutes to install the hardwired unit

And if the hardwired unit goes down in the middle of the night your in trouble.

[Octopus Prime]

Originally Posted by robert9999

And if the hardwired unit goes down in the middle of the night your in trouble.

Wouldn't this be the same issue if your portable unit goes down in the middle of the night?


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[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by robert9999

And if the hardwired unit goes down in the middle of the night your ****ed.

Well not exactly true, it has a switch to bypass the system to get power back on. In your case you need to get dressed, find a flashlight, maybe a raincoat and shoes, go outside in the cold and mess with your cords. Meanwhile I am back to sleep. Cant beat a hardwired unit.

[Octopus Prime]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

Well not exactly true, it has a switch to bypass the system to get power back on. In your case you need to get dressed, find a flashlight, maybe a raincoat and shoes, go outside in the cold and mess with your cords. Meanwhile I am back to sleep. Cant beat a hardwired unit.

Well, in his/her defense, you ARE camping. [emoji28]

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[Wireman]

Originally Posted by robert9999

And if the hardwired unit goes down in the middle of the night your in trouble.

I think I read somewhere that the surge protector is bypassed if there is a circuit board failure and still will provide 120 to the trailer.

Could be wrong.

[Robbbyr]

I have a hardwired unit in mine, but I installed it with 50-amp plugs and receptacles so I can completely bypass it in the event of total failure. 2 minute job if I ever need to.

Yes, I have the bypass switch on my display, but reportedly a big surge can take it out so it won't pass any power at all, bypassed or not.

May have to see if I can get just the fusible part(s) from PI for that occasion it does sacrifice itself doing its surge job. It already has earned its keep saving me from low voltage and miswired outlets!

[robert9999]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

Well not exactly true, it has a switch to bypass the system to get power back on. In your case you need to get dressed, find a flashlight, maybe a raincoat and shoes, go outside in the cold and mess with your cords. Meanwhile I am back to sleep. Cant beat a hardwired unit.

Okay since this turned into a pissing contest I will say that a bypass switch is a good & necessary feature for a hardwired unit. I have to say that the torturous scenario with the rain sounds pretty crappy, even though it never happened to me. One last thing in defense of the portable unit is that it can be useful in other applications if I needed protection of other electronic devices & if I sell my camper I can keep it & use it for something else.

[Sundancer330]

I didn't look at it as a pissing contest but more like a debate. And through all this many different reasons pro and con for both sides came to the table, many I had not thought of when I made my purchase. Hopefully this has helped the OP to decide which way they want to go.

[Octopus Prime]

I keep going back and forth. Much of it depends on where I purchase the TT, and if I can get them to install it as part of the deal.
I'm partial to the hardwire, but I'll go with the portable unit if I end up purchasing from a dealer further away from home.

[Cosmik Debris]

I've used my portable to check the power for others before they hook up, then explain why they need one.

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by damammel

I installed the EMS-HW30C and it is just what I was looking for. Made in the USA, able to be serviced in place, bypass for When I'm using the generator . . .

If you use a "bonding plug" on one of the unused outlets on your generator you won't have to put the EMS in bypass. Keeps you from getting the E2 error and keeps your travel trailer protected even when it's running on generator. Been doing this for years with several Honda and Champion generators with zero issues.

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by Octopus Prime

Wouldn't this be the same issue if your portable unit goes down in the middle of the night?


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Not if you have two of them like I do. I full time and feel this extra expense is worth it. If my primary takes a hit I plug in the backup (Both are 50X's with the socket cover) and go on about my businss. For weekend only use that is a decision each will have to make, but changing out a hard wired unit in the middle of the night or changing the guts out wouldn't be nearly as fast or easy.

How many with hard wired units have a complete set of the "guts"?

[jloco]

Originally Posted by Cosmik Debris

I've used my portable to check the power for others before they hook up, then explain why they need one.

Ahh... An educational tool as well. I like that!!

It's completely a matter of personal choice. One is NOT BETTER than the other. They both perform the same EXACT protection.