Progressive Industries 50 Amp Heavy Duty RV Surge Protector EMS — Whole House Surge Protection w/Integrated Display and Fault Detection — EMS-LCHW50

This is a great protector for the electrical system in an RV. I purchased it after purchasing and installing one for a family member. They had it go into protection mode in a Corp of Engineers campground down South. After checking the voltage at the pedestal and finding it to be OK he plugged in the RV. They went shopping and returned to the RV to find the unit in protection mode. Looking at the display showed that the in coming voltage was at 139 VAC. The unit cut power to the RV and protected all the Electronics and AC units from damage that would most likely have happened if operated on that excessive voltage.The clueless manager (as many are) offered a solution of "Maybe when more people plug in the voltage will come down."I talked to another man in a campground this summer who has had 8 times that the unit has cut the power to his RV because of Low voltage, High voltage, or open Neutral.This unit will prevent costly repairs by cutting the power to the RV if problems are found.

We bought our first RV (previously used parents' RV) and the first recommended purchase everyone has is: "Get a surge protector!" We purchased the EMS-LCHW50 with the built in display. Those who are a bit more familiar with appliances/electronics know that a surge is not the only condition that can wreak havoc on these devices. This "surge protector" is the complete package (hence the EMS). We decided to go the hardwired route. For one, this unit is less expensive than it's portable counterparts and, for two, it is field serviceable in the event of a surge.I did perform the install myself and it can be tackled by a DIY'er that is knowledgeable of electrical wiring. There are a few videos out there (including some from Progressive Industries) that do a decent job of walking you through the install steps, but if you have any doubts, definitely contact a licensed electrician as a mishap could result in costly repairs. Average consumers may not have all of the appropriate tools (cable cutter, heavy gauge wire stripper, heavy gauge terminal crimper) on-hand to perform the install. One challenge with the 50A models is trying to make connection with the contactor in such a small space, especially with the "donuts" that have to be installed. Most install videos show the 30A models which are quite spacious in comparison. Please take into consideration the install location (this will be dependent on where your main connection to shore power is located). Mine is inside the bathroom cabinet and the cabinet has a very shallow depth. You may find this unit too deep to fit inside of a tight space. LCHW models (w/ built-in display) will not allow you to add remote display (plan to go with the HW##C model if you'd like this). If you're installing behind an access panel or a location that is difficult to access, I would recommend the HW##C model with the remote display. If the mounting location is easily accessible, or if you're mounting inside an outdoor storage compartment, the LCHW model may be a little cleaner.Pros:Can perform install yourself if sufficiently inclinedAll around protection from electrical anomaliesDisplay shows error codes when issues arise and it always shows current, voltage, frequency for each lineField serviceableLess expensive than portable modelsLittle/No concerns regarding theft or leaving hardwired model behind at the campsite.Cons:Tight quarters inside the unit for wiring 50A modelsUnit is quite deep and could prohibit install in tight spacesNo flexibility to add a remote display to LCHW modelsReplacement surge board does not appear to be readily available for purchase without contacting manufacturer. I'd love to have a backup on-hand in the event of a surge so that I don't have to bypass and go unprotected if I have a few more days of camping to go.**Note for those with generators**This unit will throw an error for generators that do not have a bonded neutral. One solution is to bypass the EMS (Progressive Industries makes a convenient bypass switch that you can add to the hardwired EMS units). Another is to bond your generator.

Saved my ass! Last fall I was cleaning my Class A at home, and plugged it's shore power cord into a long 14 gauge extension cord I had used for many years with no problem. However - I noticed that when I was cleaning the steel wheels that I felt a noticeable electrical shock. Not severe, but enough to know that something was not right. But could find no fault however. Then a few months later I bought and installed this item and all was fine when visiting some RV parks, etc. BUT - then when I once again took the RV home for cleaning and plugged into the same extension cord I noticed that there was no power coming into the RV. I unplugged and found power at the extension cord end, so re-connected. Still no power coming into my coach, so I finally remembered that I had installed this surge protector deep in my shore power bay, so I checked it and it had code E1 blinking. Checking the manual that was the fault for "Open Ground". So I unplugged that extension and connected through another. With that one no fault showed and I had power inside. So I then checked the continuity of the 1st extension cord and found . . . no ground connection between the plug and socket end! So now it all made sense - the shocking and no power. This unit had identified a Ground problem and turned off power into my RV, possibly preventing a bad electrical short / shock. I could not have been happier, and so glad I got this Progressive unit. Thanks Progressive!!

Bought the EMSLCHW50 and installed it myself. Install wasn't quite as easy as they make it out, only because the wires for the (50 amp) are seriously THICK. Im a very experienced DIY'er with plenly of tools, if you don't have very good wire cutters you will not be able to cut the wires properly. Hooking them up is quite the challenge as well because working them in tight spaces takes a lot of finger strength and patients. That being said it's not impossible just a little difficult. If you can afford to have it installed save yourself the headache. (30 amp might not be as bad) I believe they are only 10 gauge wiring.As for the units function, two days after hooking it up we took our Coachmen Mirada for a short trip and the unit cut the power to our coach. I first thought I hooked up the unit wrong because we were running off our onboard Generator. After looking at the display our generator was running at a 134 volts. We would have never known because it seamed as though our generator was running just fine. MONEY WELL SPENT! Don't go without this unit. No doubt it save our appliances and bank account. I highly recommend!!

I really liked the quality of this product. After two RV seasons it is still going strong. I had great customer support from the manufacturer and even when I miss-ordered something they took it back with a full refund and without hesitation or complications. I had purchased a new Inverter Generator and after consulting with the manufacturer they were able to get me the correct plug required for the work-around and all is well! Not cheap because of the exchange rate but well worth the money because of the quality of the unit and the support! The potential savings from one prevented fault and great peace of mind, more than compensates for the price. Since this unit is hardwired it isn't easy to walk away with like the ones that you plug in at the end of your power cord. Fully recommended! Only way it could be better is if you could get a remote indicator for it to run inside the living area so you could keep an eye on the current draw without having to go look inside the outside electrical enclosure. They may have one already since I installed mine, I will have to check!

Having issue with a high voltage reading from the unit, I called customer service twice and had to leave a msg in their voicebox at each occasion. Not once have they tried to call back. Had to remove the unit from my RV as I was traveling on vacation.

I bought this surge protector and when it arrived it was missing the digital readout screen and screw pack. I called Progressive Industries and they shipped the parts to me. It was an inconvenience to wait for the parts but once they arrived I had it installed with no problems. It's a great product.

Item delivered with missing screw pack and electrical connector. Bought those myself and installed it. Works great. Good piece of mind.Thanks

Easy install with little tech knowledge required. Some difficulty getting thick, 50 amp wires into connect slots but probably my lack of experience.