surge guard vs PI - Montana Owners Club

PNW Fireguy · 03-21-2016, 10:18 AM

I am deciding on which hardwired surge protection/transient voltage solution to purchase. I am deciding between the PI HW50C and the Surge[img][/img] Guard 35550. I am curious to learn from those which have already considered these units what specifically convinced you to select the unit which you did. At this point the only major difference (not intended to down play its importance) I see is the warranty offered by PI.

GLS3950 · 03-21-2016, 11:51 AM

Progressive Industries they have a lifetime warrantee and they are good to work with from what others say, I just installed mine in my new 3950BR.

offroad71 · 03-21-2016, 12:00 PM

I installed the Progressive Industries HW50C along with a transfer switch at the same time. Went with the unit most of the forum seemed to recommend.

PackerFan · 03-21-2016, 01:05 PM

X2 on Progressive Industries Lifetime Warranty! Mine went bad about a year ago. I contacted PI and they said to ship it to them right away and they will take care of it No Questions Asked! The only cost to me was to ship it to them. I had it back in my possession in 1 week and it was like new! They were wonderful to deal with and I HIGHLY recommend them!!

Dam Worker · 03-21-2016, 03:14 PM

I think they are both good units. I went with the HW50C. I have read that it is a bit hard on wiring it in with the large gauge wire and that the SG is a bit easier in that aspect. The newer progressive also have a higher joule rating than they used to if I remember correctly. I am still waiting for a real nice day to wire mine in. Still trying to decide if I will include the Onan or not. I got mine for a good price off Amazon and it was the newer model.

Tom Marty

**DQDick** · 03-21-2016, 03:19 PM

Progressive industries are very good on customer service and in my opinion a better product.

jcurtis934 · 03-22-2016, 03:51 AM

Don't know if the surge guard unit records a previous error fault like the progressive, but that is a great feature. John

richfaa · 03-22-2016, 04:05 AM

Looked up the 35550 and it appears to do the same things the Progressive unit does. What is important is that you need one or the other.

Bama Camper · 03-22-2016, 04:48 AM

I've had experience with both. I bought a Surge Guard unit first, which didn't work out of the box. When I called to return it, they asked for me to return the unit first before they would replace it, which I did. They promised a quick return since we were leaving on a trip soon after that... hollow promise; not only was it not sent quickly, it NEVER showed up! After we returned from the trip I called them and got a real hassle from them. After they finally sent the replacement unit, I had a technical question so I called them back. They said they would have a technician call me back... another hollow promise, that call back never happened. They clearly don't understand what customer service is.

I purchased a PI HW50C hardwired unit and had a technical question during the installation, so I called them and was able to talk directly to a knowledgeable technician. PI is a much better company to do business with.

I have had the PI unit installed for a couple of years now and it has saved me at least once. I recommend this unit.

I sold the Surge Guard unit.

Recumbent · 03-22-2016, 05:14 AM

Have used both the Surge Guard and Progressive. PI is by far the best product. Now have the PI HW50C hardwired and self installed behind the back basement wall with the remote monitor on the inside hallway wall near the other switches and controls. The PI HW50C remote monitor feature for example will read: Leg 1 having 118 volts and using 5 amps, Leg 2 having 121 volts and using 2 amps, 60 Hertz, and 0 errors plus will display the code for any previous errors. I think the acceptable range of voltage is from 108 to 132 volts. So, if your campground is not giving good juice you will know. There is a delay feature for your AC units that you can select when installing. We have had no issues with the PI HW50C but am glad to read about good customer service.

PNW Fireguy · 03-22-2016, 12:36 PM

Well that's a no brainer. Better customer service and a lifetime warranty. Thanks everyone. Ordered today and got Amazon discounts to boot. Woot Woot!

PackerFan · 03-22-2016, 02:04 PM

Good Choice! You will not regret it one bit!

1retired06 · 03-22-2016, 04:25 PM

Yup, progressive is a great product. Have had ours for six years

richfaa · 03-23-2016, 04:39 AM

Good choice. We purchased our Progressive PT 50C the same month we purchased 0ut 06 3400 over 9 years ago.We are high end users and it gets plenty of on line time. The Montana does not go online unless the PT50C is connected .It has saved us from damage several times over the years.

bigred715 · 03-25-2016, 07:56 AM

We have the PI 50amp portable and the one time I didn't use it it cost us the use of our microwave for the next 2 months of our trip. Our extended warranty repaired the microwave, but it was a real inconvenience for the remainder of our trip. The pedestal was bad and the park said there was something wrong with our trailer.

richfaa · 03-25-2016, 09:13 AM

Before we put power to the Montana we let the PT 50C run through a couple of cycles at the pedestal to check for proper pedestal operation. The PT 50C has thrown error codes many times most common open ground or one or the other leg low voltage.I every case the C.G said it was a problem with our RV.In one case we drove the C.G owner around in a golf cart showing him the same error in many sites and finally tracked down the problem to a power panel.Do not put power to your Rv till you are sure the pedestal is operating properly.

PNW Fireguy · 04-23-2016, 05:24 PM

Ok finally got time away from work to get the PI our of the box. One hour and fifteen minutes later it is installed and working as advertised. I even intentionally mis-wired and outlet to test it. It detected both an open neutral as well as swapping the neutral with one of the hot terminals. Peace of mind achieved.

Dam Worker · 04-23-2016, 05:44 PM

Sounds like peace of mind to me. I finished wiring mine today also. Did you get the one with the remote? If so where did you put the remote?

Tom Marty

PNW Fireguy · 04-23-2016, 06:43 PM

I did and placed it in the cabinet next to the main controls panel. Just screwed it into the thin panel. I had originally thought to put it just above the thermostat and below the light switch on the wall opposite the entry door. Thought it would be more useful there but didn't like the look and put in the closet with the other controls.

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