Surge protectors- yes or no?

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Are you talking about perhaps hooking up both a Hughes, AND a Progressive unit to the pedestal?
Which one would be first in line?

Hughes says the auto transformer should be plugged directly into the pedestal. That way you get full use of the Hughes. The auto transformer cuts-in at 113 volts to raise the voltage and the low voltage cut-off for the Progressive EMS is 104 volts. That said many put the Progressive EMS before the auto transformer. The only real problem with this is if the pedestal drops below 104 volts the EMS shuts off the auto transformer before it could potentially raise the voltage to 115 volts. Both have power surge protection and the Hughes has lights for fault indications but does not automatically disconnect the coach from the pedestal. The Progressive EMS is entirely automatic, does have a remote to monitor its operation and display any error encountered. Hughes has a 3 year limited warranty if kept dry. Progressive EMS have lifetime warranty.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for such a thorough explanation of what both units can do!

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Are you talking about perhaps hooking up both a Hughes, AND a Progressive unit to the pedestal?
Which one would be first in line?

Hughes in front per manufactures recommendations. Hughes keeps the voltage up so the EMS will not turn it off.

[Bob Denman]

Got it!
That's kind of how I figured that they'd need to be set up: but it's best to ask the folks that know for sure.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Got it!
That's kind of how I figured that they'd need to be set up: but it's best to ask the folks that know for sure.

BUT use the EMS first to check the shore power!!!! Then plug the Hughes in front if needed.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by cavie

BUT use the EMS first to check the shore power!!!! Then plug the Hughes in front if needed.

The Hughes has four lights to indicate faults and a green to indicate the surge protector module is good. No need for an EMS to check the pedestal. The reason to put the EMS first is Progressive warranties the EMS for life; where as, the Hughes warranty is for three years plus water damage is not covered. The thought is if you are going to sacrifice one to a power surge, why not is be the one with the lifetime warranty. If you do get a power slump below 104 volts and the EMS shuts down, you could always slide the switch over on the remote and bypass the EMS to restore power.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Beau388

The Hughes has four lights to indicate faults and a green to indicate the surge protector module is good. No need for an EMS to check the pedestal. The reason to put the EMS first is Progressive warranties the EMS for life; where as, the Hughes warranty is for three years plus water damage is not covered. The thought is if you are going to sacrifice one to a power surge, why not is be the one with the lifetime warranty. If you do get a power slump below 104 volts and the EMS shuts down, you could always slide the switch over on the remote and bypass the EMS to restore power.

Why would you want to bypass the EMS? The one poster had it right. Plug the Hughes into the pedestal and the EMS after it. I would much rather always protect my equipment by knowing the correct voltage is getting to them. If a surge pops the module in the Hughes is easy and only costs like $40 to $50.

[Lt Keefer]

That may be true, but the PI unit is warrantied for life. No charge for the surge versus 50 bucks, I'll take free every time.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

That may be true, but the PI unit is warrantied for life. No charge for the surge versus 50 bucks, I'll take free every time.

But while your waiting to get your “free replacement” you electronics are vulnerable. But hey that’s just my take and opinion on it. I just want my big screen tv’s, ac’s, fridge, phone’s, iPads, hot spot, wireless router, stereo equipment to have good voltage where there not working that hard. To each his own. I would gamble that if you wrote Progressive Industries and Hughes they would tell you to have the Autoformer paged in first then the EMS. Been on the road full time for over 4 years with no surges or spikes. But my EMS has shut the rig down for low voltage a coil,e of times. That is why I bought an Autoformer. To insure that my voltage is not running low causing my equipment to work harder.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by cavie

Hughes in front per manufactures recommendations. Hughes keeps the voltage up so the EMS will not turn it off.

What a “retired master electrician” agreeing with me.

[Lt Keefer]

What happens when it rains? Since the hughes is not waterproof, does it have to be unplugged?

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

What happens when it rains? Since the hughes is not waterproof, does it have to be unplugged?

I keep mine covered with this bucket from Wally World.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Your-Zone...SABEgKYavD_BwE
I’m going to hardwire it in the power cord locker so I do not have to worry about covering it.

[Bob Denman]

RVers know how to keep things dry: I agree that this isn't going to be the worst problem of the day.