Surge protector installation
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9288
Printed Date: 17 May 2024 at 6:50am
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Topic: Surge protector installation
Posted By: Ira
Subject: Surge protector installation
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2017 at 11:09pm
| I am planning to purchase a Progressive Industries Surge Protector. I would like to install a hard-wired unit, if I am able to get to the entry point of the power cord. Because my unit (2016 179) is in winter storage, I cannot check it out myself. I am guessing that the power cord junction box is underneath the bed, and can be reached by taking out the mattress and piece of plywood. Is this correct? If this is correct, is there plenty of room to replace the junction box with the Progressive Industries EMS-HW30 C unit? Thanks for the information. As always, any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks, Ira |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 7:32am
|
On 179's, the #1 place to install is behind the power distribution center, which is in the base of the cabinet on your right as you enter the Pod. The power entry wire does not run under the bed. 179's power cord connects at the rear street side corner as I recall. ------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 9:44am
|
+1
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 11:29am
| Thanks furpod and Leo B. So, what you are saying is that the electrical wire that enters the rpod goes directly to the power distribution center. I think I will wade through the snow to get to where it is stored and look at the area you are talking about. As I remember that area, it is already pretty tight in there. Guess I wasn't looking to add anything in there when I looked before. Do each of you have ems systems, either hard wired or mobile? Thanks for all your help. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 1:35pm
We had a 177, but I have worked on, modded, or at least looked over, nearly every floor plan in detail. I have installed 3 of the hardwired surge protectors so far. It just needs to be somewhere along the line in. The pendant is the only part you need to see. To put it in a 179, most will pull the cover to the power center, then the 6 screws holding the box itself in place, slide it out, then disconnect the incoming orange 10/2 gauge wire from the distro box, attach it to the "in" side of the surge protector, and add in an appropriate length of 10/2 from the "out" of the protector and back to the power distribution center. Secure the surge protector in the back of that lower cabinet area. Most rout the pendant cord up and place it on the side wall by the thermostat etc. At least one 179 owner has chosen to just mount it in the bottom of the pantry, otherwise the same procedure, but will give you way way more room to work. remember to unplug all power etc.. And yes, the wiring goes "straight" from the inlet on the side of the pod to the power distro box. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 2:41pm
That is correct. There is only a thin panel held on by a couple of screws that hides the power connector inside the cabinet. Remove those screws, and the back side of the power connection and wires are right there along with the external shower fittings and the satellite and cable antenna connectors, although both top and bottom panels might need to be removed to access everything easily. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 4:13pm
| furred and StephenH, Thanks much for your very descriptive help. I did wade through the snow this afternoon, and pulled the power distribution panel out, as you explained. In my case, I did not have an orange cable, but a Red and a Black cable. Am I correct that the red is the hot wire, and the black in this case is the neutral? Looks like a pretty simple process, complicated only by the small amount of working space. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 4:55pm
NOPE.. the 120v 30A input WILL be an orange ROMEX cable, enclosing a white wire, a black wire and a bare/copper wire. The red/black wire you came across is for the 12v system. If you click on my mods link, and go to page 7, you will see a picture of ours, installed in our 177. While the floor plan and placement is different for a 179, the wiring isn't. There is also a link, on the post with the picture, to a walkthrough.. ------------- |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 7:04pm
| Thanks again furpod. I was up at the rpod before I read your email about the orange Romex. I will go back up tomorrow and take the module out and look for the orange Romex. How much of a job is it to take out the lower floor of the first cabinet to be able to work on things from above? Or, would I destroy too much by trying to take that out? |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 7:16pm
|
I can answer that. Looking at the pantry, you would need to remove the wall on the left of the shelf as well as the wall behind it to get to the screws holding the shelf in place. You would risk breaking these parts as they are glued and stapled into place. It would be much simpler just to remove the power panel out and work it through the opening. I had to do something similar when I added a shelf to the upper pantry. That is how I know that it isn't as easy as it might seem to get the cabinet wall panels out intact. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 7:34pm
| Thanks StephenH. I'll leave the wall and shelf alone, and work through the bottom. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 7:42pm
Interestingly, just today, over on the FB group, a 179 owner put his in the ottoman. I don't know how he handled the pendant. ------------- |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2017 at 8:36pm
| Thanks furpod. It would be a lot easier to work on it in that location. However, I like the idea of having the monitor located on the wall on the right, as you come in the camper. Don't know how you would get the wire over to that location. Guess I will stay with the lower right location. Just read through all 10 pages of your mods. You have been very creative. Wish I had your knowledge of camper construction and electrical ability. I'll keep learning through this forum. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 7:32am
I think by the door is the best place also, or at least having the pendant where you can see it easy from the doorway. When you first plug in, the SP tests the power before letting it into the camper, 3-5 seconds or so. You can hear the microwave beep once the SP is happy, but it's nice to be able to just glance in the door at the pendant and see the readout. Our new camper doesn't lend itself well to my preferred install, and it's enclosed/insulated underbelly makes for a challenge to running new wires around the camper, but I *think* I have it sorted out to get the wire/pendant to where I want it. ------------- |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 12:46pm
|
I just spoke with my dealer about having the EMS-26HW30C installed. They want 275.00 for the unit, and 200.00 to install it. He told me if i can find the unit cheaper, he would install whatever i buy because i bought the trailer from them. Amazon has this unit for 228.00. anybody got a better source to get it any cheaper? I don't want a cheap unit, i want a good price on this unit if you know. Thanks
Oh and BTW, did you all know that this unit will prevent the " hot skin " condition ? cause i didnt, so incase anyone didnt know. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 3:25pm
|
mjlrpod, Hope you can find it cheaper, but the cheapest I have found it is $220. My dealer told me it cost them about the same as I can buy it on Amazon. I plan to buy it on Amazon, as they have free shipping.
furpod, thanks again for all the help. I waded through the snow again today, and took another look inside the power distribution area. The orange romex is right there, as you had told me. Other than being a little tight to work in there, it looks like a very straight-forward installation. Unfortunately, I will have to wait another month or so until I can get my rpod out of the pole building to work on it. Am getting anxious for Spring now!!! |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 5:54pm
|
Another question has come up. Can anyone verify this? people are saying they use a tester, to check the box, before they plug in the surge protector. Do we really need to do that?? they are saying they check it first, cause they dont want the surge protector to get fried. I'm thinking, get fried? why would it get fried, isnt it supposed to cut the power and make sure nothing gets fried, including itself?? I hate to think i have a couple hundred dollar unit that will burn out if i plug it into a bad outlet. sheeeeesh ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 6:35pm
|
mjlrpod,
I have a tester, it's just that, it tests the circuit very quickly prior to plugging in. To me it just tells me to not plug in, agree the surge protector, depending upon capabilities would determine same and probably disconnect TT. I have the tester, just because I had it. BLUF is if the tester tells me connection is bad, I don't plug in. I can't testify you need both. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 7:10pm
Yes, that is what some surge protectors do, some very expensive ones are actually "line conditioners" that can "fix" some problems.. The one you are looking at tests first, doing the same thing a tester does.. ------------- |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 7:23pm
|
thanks fur. i figured you would know, and i knew you would clear it up. it didnt make sense my protector would blow up if i plugged in. thanks again ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:33pm
|
I just installed by Progressive Industries EMS HW30C. Everything went as planned. Turned on the power and display scrolled through the readings showing no errors and the power came on. Then the display started flashing 888. Turned on the bypass and then off. Just flashed 888. Unplugged from the wall and tried again. SP fires up and scrolls through the readings, no errors, then after about 15 sec the display flashes 888. I should say that the power in the pod is on and everything seems to work. Any ideas. Sent PI an email as well. Should I keep it plugged in? Thanks ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:37pm
|
I should also say that I'm plugged into a regular 120 outlet with an adapter to my 30 amp line. If that makes a difference. Thanks ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:43pm
| This is just a wild guess. However, I know it is important that the black object (current sensor) that the hot wire goes through must have the arrow pointed toward the middle of the surge protector. Is that the way you have it? Interesting error code of 888, as that is not in their error code list. Good luck. Someone on here will have the answer. |
Posted By: Ira
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:44pm
| That is the way I was plugged in also, and it worked. So, that should not be the cause. |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 10:43pm
|
So more info from my first post. The unit will scroll through volts, amps and barley gets to 60 Hz before starts flashing the 888. When I unplug from the wall, the unit starts, scrolls though v,a,h, and e-code, then after the time delay kicks on the power the it goes to the 888 just after 60 h shows up. Always at the hertz. Same happens if I switch on bypass, it'll go through v,a,h and then 888. Have an email into PI. Thanks Jeff ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 9:36am
|
I called Progressive Industries this morning. They said they think it's because the outlet (120/15A) I'm plugged has other items running off it and therefore is not providing enough power to the coach/unit and the to operate correctly. The outlet I'm plugged into runs off my garage which has a large electric heater, other mechanical, and I maybe is connected to the laundry room, so maybe washer or dryer. They gave me a couple drills to run to see if it's not another problem. Been meaning to call my buddy/electrician to put in a 30 amp plug. Panel is just on the other side of the wall, so should be easy. Wanted to let the group know. Thanks ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2017 at 10:02am
|
Donald from Progressive Industries and I have been going back and forth with a few tests to try and determine the 888 issue. He said that the 888 error code could mean a bad capacitor. They are sending me out a new unit. Since were headed out on the 17th for spring break, that was the best solution. I'll have to go through the work of uninstall and reinstall, but now that all the heavy lifting is done, it should be easy. I'll send back the old one that they'll refurbish. I was most impressed with there willingness to get us up and running before we leave town on the 17th. Donald and Progressive Industries customer service get an A in my book. Thanks
------------- 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 |