Hardwire 50 amp Surge Guard - Montana Owners Club

Chasnracin · 07-10-2013, 01:08 PM

2011 3400RL
For those of you who have installed the hardwire 50 amp Surge Guard, where did you mount it and how do you wire it up? If I am going to do it, I would prefer the hardwire over the portable one (I have enough connectors/adapters/thingamajigs now). Any pics on mounting and wiring is greatly appreciated. I love mod season

Ken

sailer · 07-10-2013, 03:38 PM

I have a 3465SA and you have a 3400RL so I don't know where your elect panel is but the cable comes into the unit in the back and runs just under the floor till it gets to the elect box and then turns up to it . If you go into your basement on the curb side and remove that panel you will see the big cable . mine had lots of slack so I cut a hole in the back board of the basement wall and built a box to hold the unit but big enough to work the wires in and set the unit back in the depth of the surge guard plus about 3/4" and in the front of the box I installed a piece of clear plexeglass so no body gets there fingers in it. Now before you start pulling on the elect cable you discount the power coming into the unit so no problems , Its a very easy job as I used 1x4 to make the box with a piece of 1x8 for the back and then drilled holes for the wire to come in and go out. If you are at the rally in Goshen you can see mine there. sailer

jimcol · 07-10-2013, 05:10 PM

I just installed mine yesterday. In the 3000RK the electrical panel sits directly under the small closet immediately inside the door. No access to it from the basement without removing the furnace. The Amish electricians in Goshen were not as generous in leaving me much slack in the cable like some have reported on this forum. Due to lack of slack in the cable I elected to install it in the bottom of the closet. Per the manufacture heat output is not an issue and the box is sturdy enough to withstand anything that might hit it inside the closet. Pretty simple install. Two hours from start to finish. Unit works great and quickly showed that both A/C's were on the same buss. That was easily remedied. Can't believed I waited so long to install what I perceive to be pretty cheap insurance. Jim

NCFischers · 07-10-2013, 10:34 PM

I installed mine in the front storage compartment. I ran wire to and from it and spliced it into the feed to the panel.

Exnavydiver · 07-11-2013, 05:37 AM

We have a 340RLQ which is a 3400 with a Big Sky Sticker on it. We placed our Progressive Industries hard wired unit under the stairs forward of the converter. The main power cable is right there on the floor and I was able to put the remote display on the wall on the right of the stairway. BTW Jim Fischer did most of the work..

busterwms · 07-11-2013, 04:14 PM

We have a 3402.. The electrical panel is in the bathroom. Opened the panel, wired the Progressive along side the electrical panel. I can then take a quick look at what is going on with the power situation. Love it. Very simple to install.

jjackflash · 07-11-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Exnavydiver

We have a 340RLQ which is a 3400 with a Big Sky Sticker on it. We placed our Progressive Industries hard wired unit under the stairs forward of the converter. The main power cable is right there on the floor and I was able to put the remote display on the wall on the right of the stairway. BTW Jim Fischer did most of the work..

Ditto here! with the help of John Kohl. Thanks John!

Chasnracin · 07-16-2013, 06:44 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I think I have decided to get the 50 amp Progressive Ind hardwire. Question about the remote head...Does the constant blinking information bother you...at night maybe? Looks like it could get annoying if I put it on the wall by the stairs. Thanks

H. John Kohl · 07-17-2013, 01:59 AM

Yes it would have. That is why I mounted it facing into the living room instead of on the stairs.

**DQDick** · 07-17-2013, 02:28 AM

The only disadvantage I can see to the hardwire is that you have to back in and start to set up to find out that the pedestal is bad and then have to move. Seldom find a bad pedestal, so it's no big deal but it has happened to me and that's why I'm staying with portable. Was easy to plug it in and then find another spot.

DonPd · 07-17-2013, 02:55 AM

I found this electric tester and build one. It was easy. It is a fast way to check a site before setting up.

http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/tester_50amp.htm

Chasnracin · 07-17-2013, 05:41 AM

Now THAT looks like a fun Saturday project

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DonPd

I found this electric tester and build one. It was easy. It is a fast way to check a site before setting up.

http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/tester_50amp.htm

RickW · 07-17-2013, 08:05 AM

From the basement when you pull the access panel you will see your converter & furnace. In addition your power line from the plug on its way to the breaker box should be right there. On mine there was a full loop of wire there. More than enough to mount the EMS on the bulkhead, in addition I added a transfer switch. You will also find the junction box for the generator pre-wire if you have it. I mounted the Transfer switch next to the junction box with the EMS right next to the transfer switch. For the remote monitor I mounted it in the all just above the steps. It was a tight enough fit that just dropping the wire down the wall it would get caught up but using a electrical fish tape I was able to snake the wire thru the wall very quickly. It is a quick easy install. Should take no time at all.

Chasnracin · 07-17-2013, 04:29 PM

What is the transfer switch used for?

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by RickW

From the basement when you pull the access panel you will see your converter & furnace. In addition your power line from the plug on its way to the breaker box should be right there. On mine there was a full loop of wire there. More than enough to mount the EMS on the bulkhead, in addition I added a transfer switch. You will also find the junction box for the generator pre-wire if you have it. I mounted the Transfer switch next to the junction box with the EMS right next to the transfer switch. For the remote monitor I mounted it in the all just above the steps. It was a tight enough fit that just dropping the wire down the wall it would get caught up but using a electrical fish tape I was able to snake the wire thru the wall very quickly. It is a quick easy install. Should take no time at all.

H. John Kohl · 07-17-2013, 05:23 PM

This video may help you understand.

Chasnracin · 07-18-2013, 03:41 PM

Thanks John. Cleared it right up!

CORattler · 07-18-2013, 04:23 PM

Never thought of it that way but you're right if you don't have a separate tester.
I carry a Greenlee plug in tester just for that purpose.

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

The only disadvantage I can see to the hardwire is that you have to back in and start to set up to find out that the pedestal is bad and then have to move. Seldom find a bad pedestal, so it's no big deal but it has happened to me and that's why I'm staying with portable. Was easy to plug it in and then find another spot.

JandC · 07-21-2013, 05:42 AM

We didn't install our own but had Madison Camping World install it last month. They installed it on the left interior wall inside the right side basement door in our 3400RL. When setting up I have both the basement doors open anyway and the lights on the meter are easy to observe. I didn't want it mounted anywhere inside the Monte living area.

K0LCB · 07-21-2013, 06:23 AM

Tester looks like a good idea. I used a multi meter for years, too many years as a tube jockey to change old habits

Chasnracin · 07-31-2013, 05:53 AM

I finally got the Progressive installed this weekend and all is working well. Question though...is it normal for it to buzz so "loudly"? If it is completely quiet in the trailer, I can heat it buzzing from it's mounted location in the electrical wiring nightmare, uh, cubby in the toilet room. Just checking. Thanks

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