Surge Protector - Recommendation
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Topic: Surge Protector - Recommendation
Posted By: podderfj
Subject: Surge Protector - Recommendation
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 7:44pm
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Fellow Podders: I have never used a surge protector on any of my campers and I have been camping for about 10 years. I now have a new 2017 Pod 172 and want to start using a portable surge protector. I do not want one that is built into the Pod. Can some of my fellow podders out there recommend a good portable surge protector to plug in between shore power and power cord going to Pod?
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Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 9:08pm
We went about 35 years w/o one but finally bit the bullet 3.5 years ago for our 177. We purchased a Progressive Industries SSP30 surge protector. Was $65.00 and got it on either EBay or Amazon. Has worked well so far.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2018 at 8:40am
I would recommend getting the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C. It is pricey at $260 but it does more than surge protection.
Research this forum and you will read stories of why you need more than just surge protection.
From Amazon site:
The Progressive
EMS-PT30C RV Surge Protector provides high & low voltage protection,
whenever source power falls below 104 Volts, or rises above 132 volts
and will automatically shut down power to the RV. Once the AC source
rises above 104-volts, or below the 132-volt level the time delay
indicator flashes for the preset time and then automatically restores
power to RV.
- 3-Mode surge protection: This feature provides full surge protection L-N, L-G, and N-G. Joule rating is 1780, response time of <1 nano second.
- Surge Indicator: If
ever a power surge damages the surge protector circuit within the EMS
L-N, or L-G Digital display error code will read E-10. This is your
indication that it needs to be replaced.
- Reverse polarity protection: If source is a reverse polarity condition, the EMS will not allow power to the RV and the error code will read E1.
- Open neutral protection: If the source has an open neutral condition the display will not light, and will not allow power to the RV.
- Open ground protection: If source power has an open ground condition the EMS will read an error code of E2 and will not allow power to the RV.
- AC Frequency Protection: If
source power frequency deviants +/- 9 hertz from 60 cycles per second
the EMS will shut down source power, and indicate an E7 or E8 error code
on the digital display.
- Accidental 220V protection: If
220 volts is detected when plugging into source power the EMS will not
allow power to the RV. If this condition occurs while power is applied
to the RV, the EMS shuts off power instantly. The display will read the
voltage and the appropriate error code.
- Integrated information panel: Scrolls
continuously all of the power source information, voltage, current,
frequency, error codes, and previous errors. Each reading is displayed
for 2 seconds
- Previous error code: This
feature tells the user why the EMS previously interrupted power to the
RV. This is only displayed if an error actually occurs and goes away
when power is disconnected.
- Whether resistant: Can be exposed to elements, may not be submerged.
- Microprocessor controlled: The computer, is driven by state of the art microprocessors that are programmed with software to drive the entire EMS.
- Built in Lock Bracket: Allows the user to secure to power source to prevent theft.
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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2018 at 4:15pm
That is a great unit, in my case I usually boondock in national parks, national forest campgrounds or to places where electricity is not available so the one I bought fits. IF HOWEVER you are only going to glamp where electricity is available, then the above unit is the way to go. Depends on your camping style.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2018 at 4:37pm
<----- Proud to glamp.
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Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2018 at 8:16am
Just curious, what's the difference between the PT30C and the PT30X? Progressive's website doesn't show the PT30C.
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Mark
Concord, NC
2017 RP 179 "Podzilla"
2011 Silverado 1500 4X4
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Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2018 at 1:13pm
Just showing my age. The PT30x is the newer version. The PT is for portable The 30 is for 30 amp service. And the X is newer version than the C. Don't know what was changed in the newer version.
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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel
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Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 8:56am
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I would encourage you to rethink the hard wired unit. First of all, no need to "remember" to plug it in before you plug in the pod. Sometimes we are in a rush and "forget". Also the reverse is true, you need not remember to NOT leave it. Unplugging is one of the last things i do. Easy to unplug the S.P. and put it down, then forget it. Lastly, I like to have as few 200 plus dollar items outside on display as I can. In some places, the electric hookup is 40-50 feet away from the pod. I hate to go put a 260 dollar unit 50 feet away from my camper, and then go sight seeing. But my biggest reason was I wanted to make sure I never ever wanted to "just plug it in for a minute" without protection, and hard wired is the only way to assure that.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Posted By: ParPod
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 9:08am
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+1 for mjlpod's suggestion!
It hurts to leave one on the picnic table because you need two hands to coil up the power cord - it was a major ouch!
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Bob&Margaret
2017 179
2016 Toyota 4Runner
2 sets of Golf Clubs
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Posted By: podderfj
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 9:17am
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Good suggestion mjlrpod and ParPod: I am beginning to rethink my choice. Where in your pod did you locate the hard wired unit. Also, I am very much a handy man but can you run through the hook up and wiring process. Also, what unit would you recommend? Thanks for all of the replies
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Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 10:58am
The group choice of protectors seems to be the progressive industries EMSHW30C, That is my choice. It should be placed between the outside plug connector, and your fuse/converter box. No power should enter the converter that hasn't gone thru the EMS. It should fit right behind the converter panel. You'll want to remove the converter to install the EMS unit anyway. There is a pendant that comes with it as well. That is a useful item. I like to keep it in a seeable place so i can monitor power use. In the morning we have coffee pots, and toasters, and griddles running, and the pendant tells us the power draw so we don't pop the circuit. It also gives error messages if there was a power issue while you were gone. I ran my pendant under my shower and fished it out thru the hole for my thermostat. I mounted it right above the thermostat and i can see it from outside looking in, or from inside. If you run on a genny at all, the EMS will not let the genny power into your pod unless you add a grounding plug. Dont worry about that, it's simple.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 11:02am
I second getting a hard wired unit. It can be placed behind the electrical panel (or next to it on the new 189/190. It is the EMS HW30C model and a few dollars cheaper than the portable. Someone posted an excellent video on how to install it. You just have to search for it. Basically you splice it into the red hot wire coming from the ac line to the fusebox. Then you run the included "phone line" for the control unit somewhere you can easily see it.
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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel
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Posted By: podderfj
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 7:32pm
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Does the Progressive hard wired EMS-HW30C make any noise that can be heard in the camper. I have read a couple of posts where they said it made a humming noise or a very low rattling sound. I am debating on the hard wired or the portable unit and I certainly do not want to put a unit inside the camper that is going to be making a nuisance noise. I know that the hard wired would be much simpler on the camping trail in that I would not have to bother with the portable unit, have it stolen, or forget it when in a hurry. Also, when wired in, does it generate any heat? If it did make a slight humming noise, could I wrap it loosely in some type of insulation, or would this be a bad idea? Suggestions and comments, please.
Thank you fellow pooders
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Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 7:41pm
On our 180 the unit sits behind the fuse panel under the dinette seat. We do not hear it but have read reviews saying there is a hum. However others have posted that you just need a few rubber washers when screwing it into the floor and it stops the hum. Seems it is more a vibration than a hum. As far as heat is concerned, its basically pretty sealed but I never felt the walls of the dinette to be hot. So I do not think it gets too hot. But I never actually touched it while it was running to see if it got hot.
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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel
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Posted By: Davidb
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 7:01am
I went with the new portable EMS-PT30X, I was struggling before our trip to a popular State Park locating a cable lock such as the Master Lock719D that would fit through the metal locking tab on the EMS.I felt awkward having the protector on "display" hanging from the power pedestal, so I ran my 30 amp extension cable from the pedestal to underneath the trailer next to the entrance door, plugged the EMS into the end, plugged the regular power cord into the EMS and connected other end to the power receptacle on the side of trailer.
I ended up using a small cable with loop ends and a regular padlock.
Now I could monitor the display without walking over to the power pedestal and the unit was out of sight.
This particular State Park (Grand Isle) sees a lot of air conditioner use during the hot summer months and a low power situation is a great possibility.
David
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David
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Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 7:43am
Been reading up on the Progressive Industries portable vs. the hard-wired...saw on another forum where an RVer checked with Progressive about a self install of the hard-wired unit voiding the warranty. Not trying to scare anyone but 2 bullet points of reasons for a warranty void is as follows: Improper installation of a hard wired unit. We strongly recommend that a competent electrical professional perform the installation of hard wired units. and Maintenance of hard wired units performed by anyone other than a qualified RV dealer
IIRC, this RVer contacted Progressive and they confirmed the warranty could be voided if the owner installed it and maintained it. Kind of scares me out of purchasing one and installing it myself. Still thinking about the portable for that reason.
Any thoughts?
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Mark
Concord, NC
2017 RP 179 "Podzilla"
2011 Silverado 1500 4X4
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 10:14am
I have an inline surge protector and am NOT concerned I will forget it and leave it. It is big and yellow:)
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 8:04pm
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We have the PI hard wired unit and love it. It paid for itself last week at LoLo Mai campground outside of Sedona. It tripped for low voltage and then tripped a short time later with high voltage. Saved my appliances and maybe my board. Right at dinner time. Ran off of batteries and propane for an hour or two, mixed a cocktail (or two) and replugged...no problem. Can't forget it, cause it's part of the pod. No, I've never noticed it getting hot. Yes, self install may void warenty. I think pretty much any significant mod will void one or two warrenties.
Working on a post to recap the trip. 2400 miles of desert fun. Thanks
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Smith's in Hailey
Early 2017 179 HRE
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods
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Posted By: OurPodJourneys
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2018 at 3:45pm
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I'm looking to purchase an EMS, have decided on the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X. But first ... I've seen a couple of reviews that state as one negative about it is that it can only be used in the vertical position -- but without saying why that's bad. Can anyone shed light on this? Any reason that might be a deal breaker?
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Posted By: podderfj
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2018 at 5:33pm
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OurPodJourneys: Very good question. This would certainly would be a deal breaker for me also.
Anyone out there give us an answer?
Thank you my fellow ponders..
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Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2018 at 1:56pm
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I believe it has to do weather resistance. This excerpt is from the Manual and it is the only reference to vertical usage. The best way to find out is to call Progressive Technical Support 919-267-6964 | 6
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Weather Resistant : Unit can be exposed to outside weather elements;
however, the unit may not be submerged. Unit is designed to be mounted
or used vertically.
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Ron & Sharon
2015 R-Pod 179
2022 Nissan Frontier
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated
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