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Old 08-02-2018, 02:17 PM   #1
GAinaMontana
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EMS display location

On our last rving trip our Surge Guard 34850 50 Amp Portable w/LCD bit the dust. Good thing - it protected the rv. Bad news - out of warranty. While on the road I bought a Progressive Industries SSP-50XL to get back home with. Plan is buy a Progressive Industries EMS. My question is as follows. Do I :
(1) Stay portable with a EMS-PT50X @ $340.
(2a) Go with EMS-HW50C w/ display inside @($310).
(2b) EMS-HW50C w/ display in basement on DS @($310).
(2c) EMS-HW50C plus EMSRDS w/display in both locations @ ($395)
(3) Save my money and stay w/ the SSP-50XL.

What do you think?
 
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Old 08-02-2018, 02:52 PM   #2
RoadRunnerTR21
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I chose to do option number 1.
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Old 08-02-2018, 03:08 PM   #3
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Or/and consider a Hughes Autoformer RV220-50SP

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 08-02-2018, 03:47 PM   #4
richfaa
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We have had option 1 portable since 2006 and not a problem. It is hooked to the Montana now on our property flashing away.
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Old 08-02-2018, 03:52 PM   #5
DQDick
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Option 1 ainxw 2011. First one died in 2017. Progressive replaced it no charge and no hassel. I like to be able to check the pedestal without having to back in.
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Old 08-02-2018, 03:58 PM   #6
GAinaMontana
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DQ, that is exactly what I liked best about the old Surge Guard.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:06 PM   #7
GAinaMontana
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leemedic, I am fairly new to MOC and do not want to offend anyone who takes the time to answer a question but after visiting the Hughs Autoformer Web site I was put off by the inaccuracy and total lack of proof reading. I don't think I would be comfortable buying anything from that company. I hope that your ems serves you well and that I am completely wrong. Again, thank you for taking your time to respond.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:30 PM   #8
Cubbie
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Ems didplay

We have option 1 and found it very usable.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:45 PM   #9
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2B … I hardwired the HW50C near the converter and put the display inside close to the street side cargo door. That way I can see what's going on (if anything) with the campground pedestal right there while hooking up the power cord. And … no worries about sticky fingers owning my property.

Frank/Marilyn … I have had both a 30 amp Autoformer and now a 50 amp Autoformer with no issue from the company. I sent the 30 amp back once for repair as it took a surge and was toast. Easy return procedure. I also returned my 50 amp as the indicator lights quit working … again easy return procedure. They replaced the contactors at no extra charge other than shipping and fixing the indicator lights. There are some who feel I'm cheating others at a campground, but it sure is nice to have the A/C humming along normally on a hot day while the park voltage drops to say 105VAC.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:52 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GAinaMontana View Post
leemedic, I am fairly new to MOC and do not want to offend anyone who takes the time to answer a question but after visiting the Hughs Autoformer Web site I was put off by the inaccuracy and total lack of proof reading. I don't think I would be comfortable buying anything from that company. I hope that your ems serves you well and that I am completely wrong. Again, thank you for taking your time to respond.
In addition I also have the 50 amp Surge Guard. I have the Autoformer plugged into the pedestal, then the Surge Guard plugged into the Autoformer. Using the Autoformer (Boost) mostly for the low power output in some RV parks. But to each their own I guess.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GAinaMontana View Post
leemedic, I am fairly new to MOC and do not want to offend anyone who takes the time to answer a question but after visiting the Hughs Autoformer Web site I was put off by the inaccuracy and total lack of proof reading. I don't think I would be comfortable buying anything from that company. I hope that your ems serves you well and that I am completely wrong. Again, thank you for taking your time to respond.
BTW, CampingWorld also sells it.

https://www.campingworld.com/50-amp-...ng-transformer
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:14 PM   #12
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Dieselguy and leemedic,
Are either of you attending the MOC rally in September? If so, I would like to set down with you and discuss the Hughs Autoformer. I think I am going to stick with the portable EMS, only this time get the one with the lifetime warranty. I like being able to check the pedestal before I connect up. Thanks for everyone's input.
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:21 PM   #13
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I have the same model rv as you. I installed the option 2-a hardwire installed in basement and installed the remote inside coach just above the thermostat. You can run remote wire from basement to the inside of closet and through wall just above thermostat and easy access to readings on system.
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:30 PM   #14
GAinaMontana
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So you prefer having the display inside as opposed to the outside. I'm sure that is best at 2AM but what about when you are setting up.
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:42 PM   #15
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Texan, if you have replaced your toilet, please see my question on the "best toilet replacement " thread.Thanks
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Old 08-03-2018, 04:27 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by GAinaMontana View Post
Dieselguy and leemedic,
Are either of you attending the MOC rally in September? If so, I would like to set down with you and discuss the Hughs Autoformer. I think I am going to stick with the portable EMS, only this time get the one with the lifetime warranty. I like being able to check the pedestal before I connect up. Thanks for everyone's input.
We are attending in September.
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Old 08-03-2018, 08:14 AM   #17
richfaa
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We did have the Hugh's autoformer. We purchased it when we purchased our 1st 5th wheel the 06 3400. We had been Rv'ers and campers for years and back in the day it was not unusual for CG's to have poor power and low power was a common problem. We were still in that mindset. We found in our travels that this was no longer a common problem as most CG ,s had upgraded or went out of business . We sold the Hughs and went with the EMS Pt 50C that will shut down the RV in case of low voltage. That dos not happen very often.
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Old 08-03-2018, 10:09 AM   #18
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Sorry, I'm not a rally kind of guy. Rich may have a point about mainstream RV parks being upgraded, but being more of a recreational camper … you'll find bunches of CORPS, state lake, dune, and small town parks that have the wiring/ transformers installed many years ago and the low voltage issues that go along with that. They are content with the customer base they have and don't usually have the funds to upgrade to accommodate newer high current draw rigs.
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Old 08-03-2018, 01:12 PM   #19
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Sorry, I'm not a rally kind of guy. Rich may have a point about mainstream RV parks being upgraded, but being more of a recreational camper … you'll find bunches of CORPS, state lake, dune, and small town parks that have the wiring/ transformers installed many years ago and the low voltage issues that go along with that. They are content with the customer base they have and don't usually have the funds to upgrade to accommodate newer high current draw rigs.
You are 100% correct. We still find fairgrounds and CG's across the country with 30 amp power or marginal power. just about all the CG's in this area have upgraded or gone out of business. Since we got these big power hungry Montana's we lost the ability to camp in many of the places we liked. Primitive areas, State parks, ect. in many cases we are just to big to get in and spread our wings.In the mid 80's and early 90's it was not uncommon to lose power at our local CG's or have transformers blow up on the poles.

These 50 map Montana's are very sensitive to power fluctuations and can cause serious $$ damage thus the switch to the EMS PT 50C. When we first started you were lucky to get 120V 20 amp service and many CG's had no power at all.
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Old 08-04-2018, 12:04 PM   #20
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When I purchased my 3455sa used, it already had the hard wired progressive unit installed along with a second power cord connection in front for a genny hook up and a manual transfer switch. It is in the basement on the rear wall. Its a little difficult to see but not really an issue since it does its thing automatically. No real need to keep an eye on it. If voltage was too low or high it will not let it into your unit. Also with a hard wired unit you do not have to get it out or put it away, and you don't have to worry about it being stolen.

This was one of the reasons I bought the unit along with the fact that the previous owner also installed Kodiac disc brakes/ changed all lighting to led/ slide toppers on all 4 slides/ install 6 point hydraulic level up/ G614 tires.
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