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05-24-2018, 09:16 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,971
M.O.C. #20477
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Internal vs External EMS/Surge Protector
Which is the best way to go - internal or external system to protect the electronics in your rig?
Internal Pros:
-You will not forget the unit or have it walk off so you are always protected
-With a remote, you have a friendly display in your rig
-Many are repairable if they are fried
-Could be removed and mover to a new rig with some work
Internal Cons:
-A little harder to install, for some people I would recommend a tech
-If a surge fries it, you have to repair or uninstall it to hook power up
-Some of them have issues when running a generator and will shut down although there is no real problem
External Pros:
-Easiest to install
-If it is fried, simply unhook it and reconnect power
-Easier to keep and move to a new rig
External Cons:
-Easier to forget or have walk off if not secured
-Generally not repairable if fried
-Is out in the weather
Price seems fairly similar between both types.
I made the decision to go with an external EMS made by Progressive Industries. In a perfect world, I would carry two in case one got fried.
I believe an EMS is a high priority addition to your rig.
What have others done and why?
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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05-24-2018, 11:55 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
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I bought the hard-wired. I liked the permanency of it and one less thing to do when setting up. The external gives you the advantage of checking the power at your site before backing in, which is a nice thing to have. I am not disappointed with my selection, although can see the advantages of an external as well. Personal choice.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
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05-25-2018, 05:20 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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Hi
I had damage from an open neutral in the anaconda cord that would have been avoided with the permanent installation.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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05-25-2018, 05:59 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Been using the same Progressive external unit for 8 years without issue. We change fivers every few years, external is easier.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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05-25-2018, 06:21 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 321
M.O.C. #17521
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I leave mine hooked to the cord. I never unplug the cord from it.I was looking if i could hook one inside my rig and it looked like more trouble than it's worth. We do a lot of traveling and have been to more than 50 cities and still have mine. I am kind of new to this. Been doing this for 2 years. LOL I have more problems with forgetting my Y for the water hose. Lost 3 so far.
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05-25-2018, 06:34 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,587
M.O.C. #2283
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External for me I can move it from to Motor Home to the Montana.
Lynwood
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05-25-2018, 06:42 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,299
M.O.C. #5165
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We have used our external surge protector for the past 10 years--securely locked to the 50A cord. It sure looks safe and secure to me. I operate on the theory -- Make your stuff a lot harder to steal than anyone else. I also lock my bikes to the RV when we settle in otherwise the bikes are locked to the bike carrier on the truck.
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05-25-2018, 06:47 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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I've had both. .I like the permanent the best because as been said, you can just forget about it. I'm surprised the portable one's are not stolen considering you have over 300.00 sitting out there waiting for a thief. The most important thing is to just have one.
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05-25-2018, 07:54 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Traverse City
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #15913
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I have a external now, but going to an internal soon. Lost neutral in power cord to trailer last trip. took out refrigerator and some other small stuff. The hard wired unit would have prevented this.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 dually
2014 3725RL
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05-25-2018, 09:05 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I use external for one of the benefits you missed. I can check the electricity in a campsite before I back in. Believe it or not, in 8 years of fulltiming there has been two times that saved me the trouble of working my way in only to find I wanted to move. I also use a 90 on the plugin to our campers so the stress on the power cord is minimized.
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05-25-2018, 09:21 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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[QUOTE=rescue7;1099661]I have a external now, but going to an internal soon. Lost neutral in power cord to trailer last trip. took out refrigerator and some other small stuff. The hard wired unit would have prevented this.[/QUOT Probably the best reason for having the internal is the protection against faulty power cord. They both have there good and bad points.
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05-25-2018, 10:40 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2018
Location: livingston,tx
Posts: 561
M.O.C. #21685
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Ours is a Surge Gard brand and is hard wired, not that hard to get to if necessary the way our dealer installed it. Although I did replace all the set screws with allen head instead of flat head.
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05-25-2018, 12:27 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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External you can use as a tester to test pedestal. (Easier)
Easier to move from camper to another. without teaching grandkids new words
Easier to troubleshoot bad wiring with an external.
External may give you that little bit extra length needed to reach. you know you have been there!!
if you want to check how much current something is drawing you have to go outside.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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05-28-2018, 06:58 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Manahawkin
Posts: 274
M.O.C. #21100
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I chose the Progressive Inline with LCD display one less thing to carry and it is inline in our electrical system no matter where we hook up too.
A bit of a pain wrestling with the 6/3 wire but got it done in 30 minutes and works perfectly second fifth wheel using this model
__________________
2016 F350FX4 King Ranch CC SB 6.7PSD
2018 Keystone Montana 3121RL
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05-28-2018, 07:50 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Personal choice...The idea is to have one.
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05-29-2018, 07:47 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Boise
Posts: 288
M.O.C. #13564
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Both work and will lessen the possibility of an electrical event that may cost you $$$. Buy a good one that you will use every time. Like Richfaa stated "the idea is to have one."
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05-29-2018, 09:32 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Harford
Posts: 948
M.O.C. #7122
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When we were first looking for one many years ago, I saw pictures of fried ones. I would not want that inside my camper so I have an external one.
__________________
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05-29-2018, 10:36 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bullroc3
When we were first looking for one many years ago, I saw pictures of fried ones. I would not want that inside my camper so I have an external one.
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Were they internal or external. I would think the external would have more chance of failure because of moisture. Nothing is water proof for ever.
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05-29-2018, 11:21 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,732
M.O.C. #12947
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We lost a couple satellite boxes a couple years ago due to a utility power issue. I soon after installed the hardwired Progressive EMS. Last year, we got to a park and plugged in, and the EMS would not allow power to the trailer. Turned out, the ground pin in the shore cable plug had broken inside the plug. If we had the portable EMS, it would not have seen the broken ground pin, or any other fault in the shore cable, which is prone to damage with use.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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05-29-2018, 01:52 PM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Boise
Posts: 288
M.O.C. #13564
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Everything electronic has the potential for failure. I hope that a solid internal mounted EMS will not take as much abuse and therefore be less damage to it and possibly not fail as often.
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