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Re: progressive EMS

Reply #25 –
The progressive EMS is a PERFECT solution for what it is designed for.  There is no better product on the market for the price and function. It's not supposed to boost voltage.  If you have a low voltage problem, go to a different RV park.
1998 U270 34'

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #26 –
We agree with Don & Tys in that our Hughes Autoformer is put away and not powered unless we have a significant need like low voltage in hot weather.  When in use, it is out of the weather in a secure area in the bay with a short motorhome cable and separate shore 50-amp extension.  Our permanent wired EMS devices are after the Autoformer.  We have only used our Autoformer 3 times in 8 years.

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #27 –
Tim, while waiting for the ideal device and saving the $340 cost for Progressive Industries HW50C Hardwired EMS Surge & Electrical Protection- 50 Amps, you may experience multiple thousands from over or under voltage campground / generator anomalies.
At least with the EMS you get 3-mode surge with easily replaceable circuit board, over & under voltage & reversed wiring protection.
I think you will find the $340 covers 3 of the 6 items you mentioned, and completely covers the most important ones.
When voltage goes suddenly too high or too low in the middle of the day, coach will be instantly protected from damage, but there will not be electrical service, which can be covered by running generator.  All for $340 at Amazon...

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #28 –
Quote from: krush –
The progressive EMS is a PERFECT solution for what it is designed for.  There is no better product on the market for the price and function. It's not supposed to boost voltage.  If you have a low voltage problem, go to a different RV park.

What he said! Don't just move to a different site in the park, bail!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #29 –
My local mountain campground has very limited roomy sites without close company and is heavily booked.

The old 30 amp power levels drop in the 5pm time frame.  EMS triggered several times before the Autoformers help.

No option.  No moving. So I hook up the autoformer then the EMS. 

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Tim –
Ah, here's another proposed feature, called "Storm Guard".

Storm Guard will:

1. Detect an approaching storm with it's lightning and wind detectors.
2. Disconnect power from your rig. Your internal 12volt power will stay connected to run your refrigerator.
3. Reconnect power when the storm has passed.

By disconnecting your rig's power from damaging thunder storms, you could save hundreds of labor hours and thousands of dollars in equipment replacement costs.

I assume it completely detaches the power cord from the coach?  Best practices in an approaching thunderstorm - many "hits" come in on the "ground" conductor. 

(Electrical engineer who worked in the emissions/susceptibility field  ;) ).
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #31 –
My 2003 suffered a burned contactor in the transfer switch three years ago while suffering from multiple voltage sags. Fixed by replacing the contactor.

The good news is that my coach has under and over voltage protection built in. Also good news is that nothing other than the contacts was damaged.

The bad news is that troubleshooting involved turning the voltage dials up and down, defeating voltage protection. Also bad news is that I had to eyeball turning the dials back. No idea what voltages trip them now. I will need a variable auto-transformer to adjust, monitor, and properly set the voltages.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #32 –
Yes, Storm Guard would have a high-voltage relay in each of the four legs. A the high-voltage relay would offer 100KV isolation voltage from a storm or other anomalous power event. This new design would not be perfect, but the TrueEMS would resolve most RV power concerns, weighing in at only 10 pounds plus UPS lithium battery.

Until then, I am going unprotected...no power protection except my wits and an AC volt and frequency meter. My wits tell me to disconnect shore power if it's a:

1. Hot day and
2. Poor campground voltage or frequency or
3. Approaching storms and we won't be around to disconnect power.

That should cover 99% of the problem. I had the Progressive EMS50C in my old rig and it's a good unit that's worth the money. It shut down the power at 105 volts or so. I could have done that myself.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #33 –
We bought the post mount Progressive when we bought the coach.  When we got home, we installed hard wired after ATS.  Giving us before and after.  Now I test pedestal with portable and then hook up thru it.  Temporary sags are adjusted for by multipass with the batteries.  Disconnect from post in storms.  About all I can do.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #34 –
IF, and this is a big IF, your Inverter/Charger has an AC pass through and low/high voltage protection, the Inverter will switch to Inverter if the AC voltage goes high or low. Our current motorhome (we sold our Foretravel) has this feature and it is adjustable for the high and low set points. The only, and this is a big ONLY, things that are not protected are the air conditioner/heat pump and the water heater. Everything else is on pass through circuits thru the inverter. They are protected from both shore power and generator. So, for those times when the water heater is on propane, and the ac is not needed, we have full protection without an additional EMS. At least this is what I think I have. I still check the power pole for voltage and other wiring problems before I plug in.


Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #35 –
There is nothing automatic about what is traditionally called an "auto-transformer". It's a bit of a misnomer.
1998 U270 34'

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #36 –
Have had a Progressive SSP-50XL for about a year,during our last trip one of the legs went to "blue off,red off",open ground.
I filled out the on line warranty form and just got an email letting me know they are sending out a new unit.Am pleased with
Progressive Industries.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #37 –
Quote from: krush –
There is nothing automatic about what is traditionally called an "auto-transformer". It's a bit of a misnomer.


An autoformer is a transformer with a single, tapped, winding, rather than two separate windings. The "auto" part comes from both the input and output side sharing one winding.

The name has nothing to do with automatic operation.

However, the operation of a Hughes autoformer is automatic in the sense a slightly low voltage automatically causes the tap to switch, giving a compensating boost.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #38 –
Phred, this thread seems to have run amok relative to autoformers.  With regards to an Progressive EMS, either hardwired or post mount, it is a good investment that will protect your coach and more importantly you from miswired power connections and low or high voltages. 

We were in a park in Florida where the EMS refused to connect, miswired post.  I called the office and someone came over actually faster than I expected.  He opened the box and indeed it was miswired.  It only took a few minutes to correct and the EMS allowed the connection.  His comment as he was leaving about the guy in our spot the week before complaining about a tingling when he grabbed the side handle while getting into his fiver gave me the willies.  Arrrgh!

Your voltage on the gen set might dip when the AC starts.  If it is dropping to near 104 then a second EMS might help protect the ACs.  In any case better sooner than later.  The first time it faults you will pat yourself on the back and be glad for it.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #39 –
Especially in the rain I learned long ago(30 years) to barely touch the entry door handle to see if any tingle occurs.

Had forgotten that test. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #40 –
Pedistal tester is a good start I agree, and cheap to build. But I think it assumes the cord and all recepticale contacts are in good condition. And not a reflection of what happens under load. Looking for good protection unit with stuff I don't think I really need like a remote panel with leads so short that I can't mount it a good location, or ac amp measurements. If I was at an RV park and having issues I would fire up the genset,  complaints should then be directed to the park owner provider of substandard electrical services. Is there any truth that hybrid inverters can make up for  power supply shortcomings?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #41 –
"Is there any truth that hybrid inverters can make up for  power supply shortcomings?". The answer is yes.  Different inverters do it differently.  But they do work.  Not quite enough power from that 30 amp connection?  The Victron will back off charging and start inverting from 12 v to make up the shortfall while it exists.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: progressive EMS

Reply #42 –
I have watched ours, Victron, compensate on the control panel.  Steph turned on the hairdryer in our 97 and the unit compensated instantly.  I was amazed the first time I saw it happen.  No dimming, blinking or sag. 



George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P