Progressive Industries EMS

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Progressive Industries EMS

November 20, 2017, 11:29:34 pm

I have been reading some of the past posts regarding the Progressive Industries EMS Surge protectors, and I was just wondering if anyone has ever had one of the portable units, that attach at the power pedestal, stolen. I know that there is some type of attachment for a master lock, but locks are for honest people. Just wanted to get some feedback before I pop for the big bucks. Thanks

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #1 – November 20, 2017, 11:44:14 pm

We've used the portable model for 4 years. Never had it tampered with (to my knowledge) or had it stolen. It has a metal ring on the power cord that can be used with a chain or cable to secure the box to the power pedestal. I locked it the first couple trips, then got tired of the hassle, and quit worrying about it. Even if it is locked, all a thief would have to do is cut the plug off the end of the cord, and they would be gone with the box (the expensive part).

The chance of theft might depend a lot on what type of places you camp, and how much time your coach is left unattended.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #2 – November 20, 2017, 11:57:54 pm

4 years using mine. Same story as Chuck and Jeannie.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #3 – November 21, 2017, 12:06:30 am

The autoformer came with a cable lock so I tie both together

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Reply #4 – November 21, 2017, 12:19:49 am

5 plus years with ours and still have it.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #5 – November 21, 2017, 07:36:09 am

When we got our'92 we started using a surge protector (not a progressive back then) Like others when it was new we used a cable & lock for a while, after the new wore off not so much. While we are doing the camp host thing, it seems like most people don't lock them up.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #6 – November 21, 2017, 08:02:41 am

Same as others we don't lock ours. In 4 years of full timing, and a lot of boondocking never had anything bothered.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #7 – November 21, 2017, 09:41:40 am

Rather than have the portable EMS or Autoformer out in weather and eyes, why not put them in a closed compartment. Then use regular shore cable rolled up or make a new shorter shore cable from a Lowe's cooktop 50-amp pigtail, to connect these units to coach power inlet. Use a regular long 50-amp extension cable that has the female end closed up inside the compartment, to plug into campground pedestal. Always a good idea anyway to carry a 50-amp extension. This is how we keep our Autoformer out of the elements, when we use it.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #8 – November 21, 2017, 09:49:01 am

Appreciate the feedback. It's the New York blood in me. Too many things "walk"!!

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #9 – November 21, 2017, 12:49:56 pm

I have been rereading past posts about these units and have determined that I will be happier with a hard wire unit. I read about Humm, etc, and would like to know the best possible location on my 2001 U320 36' FT to install the unit and the sensor. I believe that I want it to monitor BOTH generator and land line. I know a lot of you have this unit. I want to order it today. Please advise. thanks

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #10 – November 21, 2017, 12:53:06 pm

I have a lock on mine. It came with a 2 hole metal piece. You run the locking cable thru one and around the pedestal.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #11 – November 21, 2017, 01:16:21 pm

GleamB--Guess the only things you really have to watch for are New York accents and license plates.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #12 – November 21, 2017, 01:37:32 pm

Glen & Amy,

We think that monitoring and protecting the coach from both shore & gen is best. And the ONLY place to install for both protections is on the Romex cable between transfer switch and main-panel's main-breaker. If both are located under the bed, the easiest place to mount the new EMS is also under the bed.

We have two Progressive Industries hardwired EMS under the bed and do not ever hear any hum.

We prefer to have the remote readout in the kitchen where we can quickly see amps being used and volts under load, for both 50-amp legs. So we buy the EMS model with separate remote display.

Our floor plan makes it pretty easy to run the small remote cable from under bed to our kitchen. We could use a telephone type cable with RJ-11 ends between bed and kitchen, but we chose to run a 'heavier' jacketed 4-conductor cable between the locations. From bed to our curbside bedroom cabinet we ran the cable through small drilled holes under about 18" of carpeting.

At each end of the remote cable we added common square telephone wire connectors that have a 4-wire termination block and a RJ-11 jack. Then used standard short phone cables with pre-ended RJ-ll plugs to plug into EMS and remote display

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #13 – November 21, 2017, 02:03:47 pm

Barry and Cindy
Thanks for that very helpful answer to my question.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #14 – November 22, 2017, 01:12:11 am

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – November 21, 2017, 01:37:32 pm

We think that monitoring and protecting the coach from both shore & gen is best. And the ONLY place to install for both protections is on the Romex cable between transfer switch and main-panel's main-breaker. If both are located under the bed, the easiest place to mount the new EMS is also under the bed.

We have two Progressive Industries hardwired EMS under the bed and do not ever hear any hum.

Barry,

One of them is obviously between the transfer switch and the main breaker. Where is the other EMS mounted?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #15 – November 22, 2017, 06:17:10 am

We took Barry's route with ours. Hum wasn't from EMS...was transfer switch. Even first MOT installed hummed. The changed it out and now all quiet under the bed. Like having readout in wet bay and kitchen.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #16 – November 22, 2017, 07:55:55 am

We went with Progressive least expensive portable first when we first got the coach. Never did lock it and still have it. We hardwired between ATS and main as described above when we returned home again. We still use the portable to test the post and as additional protection.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #17 – November 22, 2017, 11:49:06 am

Went with the portable one here. Theory is if hard wired in and unit fails Coach dead in the water electrically except for solar panels. If this one fails can still plug in until I get a new unit. Guess I am a lock it up kind of guy. Even been known to make a chain extension to the cable lock to get to something really secure, like water spigot. Won't stop the serious thief, just want to dissuade the casual walk by ones. Someone walking thru the campground even with a surge protector tucked under their arm will not attract a whole lot of attention. However if I see someone walking around with a pair of bolt cutters I'll put down the coffee cup and get ready to reach for something else.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #18 – November 22, 2017, 11:54:57 am

Had not thought about a hardwired EMS failure disabling the coach.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #19 – November 22, 2017, 12:02:16 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – November 22, 2017, 11:54:57 am

Had not thought about a hardwired EMS failure disabling the coach.

But, if you leave enough slack in the cord when installing it, could easily wire around it (4 wire nuts-- L1, L2, Neutral and Ground)

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #20 – November 22, 2017, 12:06:51 pm

Hard wired unit can be bypassed in rare event if failure. EMS has wonderful customer Service, even nites and weekends if needed. Parts modules easily replaced.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #21 – November 22, 2017, 12:50:01 pm

Hardwired EMS with remote has a bypass switch on remote that will keep power flowing without protection, something useful for failures.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #22 – November 22, 2017, 01:00:03 pm

Trent, Check out this thread from a year ago on two EMS protectors
Progressive EMS Bypass Reply #6 explains why we put a 2nd EMS on the shore cable that goes into the transfer switch. Remove shore cable from transfer switch relay, connect it to 2nd EMS input, put a new Romex cable between new EMS and transfer switch, run a new remote monitor cable to kitchen and transfer switch is protected.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #23 – November 22, 2017, 02:28:02 pm

Appreciate the referral to the explanation for two surge protectors.

Upon first getting the FT, I bought the pedestal Over-Voltage model, thinking it was overkill, but didn't want to rely only on surge protection I thought provided by FT in electrical system. Thinking was that the pedestal mount would be easy to understand if a pedestal failure without delving into permanent system protection. Didn't spring for under-protection pedestal type because of price for what I thought was "overkill" anyway. This pedestal mount protected us a couple of years ago when it wouldn't allow me to use the assigned campsite power. Even though the CS owner tried to get me to think our portable had failed because no one else complained (and I looked to see if I could find a store open at 10:00 pm within 100 miles) we finally moved to a different site. (Next day, we found out that several rigs were affected by City/CS owner's equipment failure and city electrical was onsite replacing transformers.)

Rereading manuals in planning for major upgrades earlier this year, to my surprise, I saw that our 1999 U-320 model did NOT have over/under surge protection hardwired in as I previously thought. (Don't know where I saw it.) Consequently, we added Progressive model with instructions to wire for protection of BOTH shore and On-Board Generator. Subsequent telephone call from Vendor - and his lead electrician - talked me out of this and to protect Shore Power only. Not sure I really understood the logic, but followed their advice which is how they stated all EMS additions they installed were done this way. (They are primarily a very well respected Country Coach shop and we are extremely pleased with all the work they performed.) I will now consider adding a second EMS on Generator side for reasons Barry noted.

BTW, our in-door storage facility has a current limited electrical plugin so that renters can use as a "trickle charge" to maintain batteries but not full electricity. (Not sure how he does this and outlet looks normal). Voltage has always been fine per on-board Magnum monitor but electrician told us that the new surge protection may preclude this arrangement - and it does. Just returned coach from modifications an plugged in as normal to no effect. So, now will need to periodically run generator and booster switch.

We also had vendor electrician recheck all electrical connections - especially around ATS - with instructions to loosen and then re-tighten, which we hope he did, because of the pictures on this forum of ATS failures and loose electrical connections being one reason.

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #24 – November 22, 2017, 02:33:24 pm

Hmmm, generator /boost a pia and prescription to kill batteries- would it be possible to add second dedicated AC input to charger/inverter just for use in your storage facility? Short cord in Basement direct to input lugs on Inverter/charger that is only used for this one purpose? Would be in addition to the shore power on the same lugs, or sliced in after the PMS unit somewhere?

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

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