Ems protection ?

**dagst1** · 05-23-2021, 07:26 PM

Looking at hardwired EMS systems for a 50 amp system. What do you use - brand /model. Also why do you like that one. I currently use one that goes on the pole but it is 30 amp and the newer camper is 50 amp.

**mark5w** · 05-23-2021, 08:35 PM

I like the Progressive Industries EMS brand. I have the pole mount but many friends went to the hard wire ones.
A plus is that they have a lifetime guarantee.

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/our-products

Papa-T · 05-24-2021, 07:01 AM

I’ll 2nd the Progressive Industries EMS brand. I have the pole mount also. I had one of the original ones that didn’t have a rain cover. Rain eventually got in it and the lifetime guarantee replaced it with an up to date one. No problems with the warranty either. One on the left was the old one.

Aceallenk · 05-24-2021, 08:32 AM

I also got the pole mount Progressive Industries SSP-30XL and wished afterwards I'd have gotten the hard wired. It just looked like something that was to easy to walk away when not at a specific seasonal site for periods of time. What I ended up doing was buying a couple 30A receptacle plugs and mounted my 30XL in the cord cubby hole. Out of sight, out of mind type thing. Today at the new seasonal were now parked at, something growing legs isn't even a consideration...

**mark5w** · 05-24-2021, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aceallenk

I also got the pole mount Progressive Industries SSP-30XL and wished afterwards I'd have gotten the hard wired. It just looked like something that was to easy to walk away when not at a specific seasonal site for periods of time. What I ended up doing was buying a couple 30A receptacle plugs and mounted my 30XL in the cord cubby hole. Out of sight, out of mind type thing. Today at the new seasonal were now parked at, something growing legs isn't even a consideration...

I attached a chain to the EMS and wrap it around the pole under the outlet box, then lock the chain together. Welded the link together at the EMS.

**Lloyd** · 05-24-2021, 11:28 AM

I did the hard wired Surge Guard.

Papa-T · 05-24-2021, 05:37 PM

I also cable lock mine when camping.

Biggles607 · 05-25-2021, 03:05 PM

I have the hardwired Surge Guard. Works flawlessly. Has tripped a couple of times at older campgrounds, and saved my internals from highly suspect badly grounded pedestals.

Worth their weight in gold.

The first one I received had an almost imperceptible hum. I told their customer service department and they had a replacement to me in a couple of days.

Great service, I highly recommend them.

**dagst1** · 05-25-2021, 05:51 PM

If i understand correctly - the Surge Guard is basically a surge protector and the Progressive industries EMS is a surge protector plus a electrical management system. It detects both low voltage and high voltage and a few other things.

Either one will work but the Progressive Industries just does a little more.

**mark5w** · 05-25-2021, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagst1

If i understand correctly - the Surge Guard is basically a surge protector and the Progressive industries EMS is a surge protector plus a electrical management system. It detects both low voltage and high voltage and a few other things.

Either one will work but the Progressive Industries just does a little more.

From their website.

Quote:

The surge protector models do not include voltage protection. The surge protectors strictly provide protection during an actual power surge. However, Progressive Industries surge protection units have additional features which include a built-in surge status indicator that note the condition of the surge protector, plus a dual line polarity tester that checks the status of the source prior to use. For complete protection, we recommend our EMS units.

**dagst1** · 05-25-2021, 07:21 PM

Thanks everyone for the input. I believe i am going with the Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C. Will get it ordered then do a write up on the install.

Biggles607 · 05-26-2021, 06:41 AM

Before you jump with both feet, you guys above might want to read this from the SURGE GUARD (Southwire) website.

https://rvpower.southwire.com/produc...e-model-35530/

I think both units do exactly the same thing.

Just my 2c worth, I have no skin in this game whatsoever, I just dislike misinformation.

If I'm wrong, please accept my apologies.

**dagst1** · 05-26-2021, 07:57 AM

The main reasons I chose the Progressive Industries over the Surge Guard was #1 the Surge Guard can not be mounted on the floor and #2 On the Progressive Industries the wires are inside the sealed box.

The main thing is everyone should have some protection either on the pole or the hard wire.

**mark5w** · 05-26-2021, 11:07 AM

Biggles, can you please tell what misinformation was posted. Want to make sure we all know what it was.

Biggles607 · 05-26-2021, 01:14 PM

[QUOTE=dagst1;148882]If i understand correctly - the Surge Guard is basically a surge protector and the Progressive industries EMS is a surge protector plus a electrical management system. It detects both low voltage and high voltage and a few other things.

I believe this is EXACTLY what the Surge Guard does.

And furthermore, mine IS MOUNTED FLAT on the floor, and before doing so I checked with their technical department and it is perfectly acceptable.

Just sayin'

Biggles607 · 05-26-2021, 01:24 PM

Surge Guard 35530 HUMMING...

Or you could read this, authored a couple or three years ago, which may sway you another way completely who knows?

Surge Guard humming...

So here's the story so far.

Just before Christmas, the good people at 'TechnoRV' sold me a Surge Guard 35530 hard wired surge protection unit for my travel trailer.

Out of the box I noticed it looked like the plastic casing was slightly deformed, nothing serious but not as perfect as I expect from a nearly $200 dollar piece of electrical hardware.

I called Eric the owner of TechnoRV and he assured me it was quite normal and that he foresaw no issues with it's operation, but that if I was at all unsatisfied he'd replace it immediately.

I wired the unit into my trailer and at once noticed a significant electronic humming coming from the unit.

I was about to undertake a short trip and had no time to remove the unit so I called Eric at TechnoRV to find out if it was likely to fail and cause a catastrophic incident, he said not and referred me to TRC in Clearwater FL. who distribute the thing.

TRC confirmed it was not common but also not unheard of to hear a hum, and most importantly, that it was not at all dangerous.

Eric very graciously insisted he send out a replacement unit. I finally had time to install it yesterday only to have it exhibit the exact same noise as it's predecessor.

I again called TRC and spoke to Steve in their technical service department who is intimately familiar with these units.

Being a good company man he said he had heard of a few units humming, but to have been supplied two, and have both make a similar noise was very uncommon. Perhaps it is my power supply he suggested.

I described my dedicated 30amp supply that I'm plugged into while parked at my home, and since I'd recently been on a trip and plugged into pedestals at two campsites, both of which triggered the same humming, I seriously doubted that supply voltage or amperage to the trailer in this case was the issue. He acquiesced.

In desperation I researched all I could find about the Surge Guard and similar units on the market. All have their fair share of detractors and all it seems at some time or other hum.

I found, and was intrigued by an entry in one of the many forums I visited, the essence of which follows.

Apparently, during manufacture, the mechanical contacts may get a light coating of oil on the 'blades' to prevent corrosion etc. This coating can cause a less than perfect connection and may cause a low frequency hum.

The engagement and disengagement of these blades during a normal power up sequence does not, it seems, remove this coating.

However, if one leaves a load on the protected A/C circuit when the blades close, the arcing that occurs is enough to burn off the coating on the mating surfaces sufficient to improve the electrical connection.

To say this sounded unlikely is an understatement, but I figured it worth the ten minutes it would take to test the theory.

I plugged a small ceramic heater with a fan into an A/C outlet in the trailer and set the fan and temperature on high.

I then went outside and disconnected the shore power cord, waited a second or two then reconnected it. A little over two minutes later I heard the unit reconnect with the usual 'thunk!' I repeated this cycling two more times over the next few minutes before venturing
back inside to listen for the result.

I am pleased to report that the unit is now almost completely silent. Problem solved ! Go figure!

I embarked on this course of action with total skepticism, but am pleased to report it cured it for me. I wish I'd researched a bit more before I contacted TechnoRV, and put them to the expense of sending out a replacement.

I have contacted Eric at TechnoRV to let them know the outcome of my experimentation and experiences.

They and TRC have been most gracious and attentive throughout, having stood 100% behind the product they distribute. I can assure anyone that they are still top of my list to call whenever my RV needs anything they can provide.

**mark5w** · 05-26-2021, 01:38 PM

Thanks for the info.

**dagst1** · 05-26-2021, 01:39 PM

[QUOTE=Biggles607;148896]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagst1

If i understand correctly - the Surge Guard is basically a surge protector and the Progressive industries EMS is a surge protector plus a electrical management system. It detects both low voltage and high voltage and a few other things.

I believe this is EXACTLY what the Surge Guard does.

And furthermore, mine IS MOUNTED FLAT on the floor, and before doing so I checked with their technical department and it is perfectly acceptable.

Just sayin'

I watched 2 different YouTube videos and they both noted NOT to install it on the floor but on the wall or ceiling of your compartment. I appreciate your concerns but after my research i went with the Progressive Industries.

Russb · 05-26-2021, 01:55 PM

See the fifth question from the bottom on page 1 where it speaks about mounting the Surge Guard.
https://rvpower.southwire.com/wp-con...rd-FAQ-DSG.pdf

Oliver · 05-26-2021, 02:46 PM

Thanks for all the info everyone

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