Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #25 – November 22, 2017, 02:50:59 pm

Good idea.  I have always been concerned because I have AGM for engine batteries and 6-volt lead acid for house.  Previously, I had switches installed to isolate either or both during storage/dry camping when we had un-diagnosed problems with OEM Inverter/Charger and replaced batteries.  I usually isolate engine batteries during storage/campsite parking and recharge with generator independently of the trickle charge or campsite charge to house batteries.  I might be able to use your idea by plugging in the storage facility electrical to a battery charger directly connected to my house batteries.  Only concern would be if vendor's current restricted electrical connection might damage an independent portable battery charger connected directly to batteries isolated from coach by cutoff switch?

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #26 – November 22, 2017, 06:19:59 pm

Or Solar (200W) as an option to house batteries with a Trike-L-Start on chassis batteries, since it must be outdoors if you are running generator

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

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

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #27 – November 22, 2017, 07:48:43 pm

Hugh & Judy,  It is common to prefer EMS installation on shore cable, mainly because it protects the 'expensive & important' transfer switch.

I think that there are strong feelings on both camps, and with both being correct, it is hard to argue with them.  Also the wide view is generators do not cause voltage problems, so if doing only one EMS put all the protection on shore side, where they think it will do the most good. 

And maybe some of the installers are not big RVers themselves, but when the coach suffers a generator voltage regulation problem, they may see the high value of a single EMS after the transfer switch.

Storage facilities may limit current by having a 15 amp circuit breaker, or maybe even a lower amp breaker.  The question is what happens if one draws too much current, does it trip a breaker.  Also the "rules" may be more verbal than actual.

In your earlier life with only over-volt protection, you were protected from failing or poorly set transformers, something very important.  Obviously voltages higher then normal can burn our some devices.  Utility power transformers have voltage taps and sometimes a higher voltage is selected if the transformer is a bit under powered, and the higher voltage will end up being normal during high demands.

But low-voltage protection is very important because motors, think roof air conditioners, could draw more amps than designed for during low voltages.  Extended high amps can burn out motor windings, whereas light bulbs will glow lower and last longer with low voltages.

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #28 – November 22, 2017, 07:53:20 pm

My magnum inverter charger has a function it's panel to limit its power use by rotating a dial and telling the unit what it's input power is now limited to.

Pretty sure it goes to 15 amp.  Maybe less. 

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #29 – November 22, 2017, 08:09:04 pm

Issue is if PMS sees too low an amperage (or voltage) the PMS will not pass shore power. He is limited in his storage unit below the level PMS will accept, so no power now at storage unit

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #30 – November 22, 2017, 08:10:05 pm

After my generator voltage regulator problem I will be installing the Progressive after the transfer switch. The transfer switch is only $125.00 online. I carry a pedestal type but have only been in a campground once.

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #31 – November 22, 2017, 09:13:20 pm

30 years ago I warned all my customers that the charger in the coach would damage the batteries if left plugged in. 

I had some put a timer in line so it was only sending power a few hours every other day or to use a small trickle charger directly on the batteries which were next to each other and both flooded cell lead acid 8D's.

Small clip on jumper connected house and engine so both were trickled charged

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #32 – November 22, 2017, 11:32:02 pm

I think Magnum's power limiting (power sharing) does not limit appliance power or power being drawn from pedestal. 

Setting it to 30 amp shore power pedestal for example, only limits Magnum's 12-volt battery charging amps to prevent pedestal breaker tripping. 

Magnum must be aware of 120-volt amps being used by appliances for limiting to work.  The theory is Magnum will only allow its charger to use amps that are 'left over' up to the 30-amp (or any other power sharing setting). 

Problems exist that prevent Power Sharing from being effective.  Magnum has no way of knowing amps being used by washers, air conditioners, vacuum, hot water tank, refrigerator, etc etc.  Magnum only looks at amps being drawn through Magnum, normally the Inverter Panel appliances.  But Foretravels with a 2nd transfer switch, all Inverter Panel loads bypass Magnum, so they don't even know about them. 

Probably better to just keep Power Sharing off.

Quote Selected

Re: Progressive Industries EMS

Reply #33 – November 23, 2017, 12:09:54 am

Sorry I must have gotten sidetracked.  My comment was meant for the poster who had a power restriction on running a battery charger in his storage area.

To maybe control tthings better we are using the magnums internal switching.  Have to ask my guru buddy

Quote Selected