Results for "EMS"

Opened my 2022 Holiday Rambler 38N DP and discovered it's eating through surge protectors way faster than normal, despite having the built-in Southwire system. Dealer says I might not need an external surge protector like a Watchdog since it's already built in.

Does a built-in Southwire surge guard provide the same protection as a standalone EMS unit? Should I still install an external surge protector or is the built-in system sufficient? Want to make sure I have proper protection without buying unnecessary equipment. …more

Turned on the weather this morning and saw another storm system rolling in, which has me panicking since I still don't have a 50 amp surge protector for my RV. I've been looking at units ranging from basic portable models to high-end hardwired systems, particularly needing a 50 amp solution that provides at least 6000 watts of surge protection.

I'm torn between getting a portable unit versus installing a hardwired unit directly into my electrical system. The portable units seem more flexible, but I'm concerned about theft since they'd be hanging outside at campgrounds.

What are the real-world advantages and disadvantages of each approach? Is the protection quality different between hardwired and portable surge protectors, or is it mainly about security and convenience?

I want to make sure I'm getting the best protection without overspending on unnecessary features. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Bill …more

During these scorching summer days, this complete RV newbie is baffled why my Class A's GFCI keeps tripping every few days and I'm totally lost. The RV isn't plugged directly into the GFCI outlet, but there's one on the same circuit that keeps popping.

I'm wondering if my solar inverter might be the culprit since it seems heat-related? Or could this be pointing to a battery that's starting to go bad? Just trying to figure out if this is normal wear and tear or something I need to address before it gets worse. …more

Walked into my 2018 Arctic Fox 27-5L this morning and hit with that unmistakable acrid burning smell coming straight from the burnt main breaker. The RV has 30 amp electrical service, no inverter, and 220 watts of solar with a PWM controller. Yesterday everything was working fine with shore power connected, but this afternoon the 120V power started cutting in and out. I checked the EMS (no faults) and all breakers (none tripped), then heard crackling from the electrical panel.

When I disconnected shore power and investigated, I found the main 30 amp breaker was completely burnt at the lug connection. The strange part is there was very minimal 120V load at the time - just the converter and microwave clock running. No major appliances were on, nothing plugged into outlets, and the batteries were fully charged with solar handling most of the power consumption.

What typically causes RV breakers to burn out like this when there's so little electrical load? Should I be concerned about replacing just the breaker, or does this indicate a larger problem with the entire electrical panel? I want to make sure I address the root cause before hitting the road again. …more

Left my 50-amp surge protector hanging on the pedestal through a week of thunderstorms and the housing is showing moisture inside the display. Debating between the TRC and Camco weatherproof covers but can't tell from the photos which one actually keeps rain out. Anyone used both? …more

Standing at this sketchy campground with our new RV, can't afford a $500 electrician visit — is there a surge protector under $200 that'll actually prevent expensive electrical damage? We have a 30 amp setup and I keep seeing recommendations for EMS (electrical management systems) instead of basic surge protectors, but they're expensive - like $180-250 range.

I'm worried about making the wrong choice here. Are these pricier EMS units actually worth it compared to cheaper surge protectors? What exactly do they protect against that basic ones don't? I've been looking at Progressive Industries and Surge Guard models specifically, but I'm scared to spend that much if it's overkill. Really need some reassurance that this investment will actually protect our rig properly. …more