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Old 11-14-2016, 06:07 PM   #1
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Overriding Open Grounds

There was a recent thread here about encountering campground power that showed faulty grounds. That caused us no end of grief camping in a park in KY this summer, having to move twice over a long weekend because our original site had an open ground and the surge protector wouldn't connect. KountyKamper (Tom) mentioned an override switch on the surge protector remote. Our 2013 Escape 19 does not have the remote, so no easy way to solve this situation....except... when we first tried our Honda generator with the Escape, a similar thing happened because the neutral and ground are not tied together on the generator. I called Reace, and he mentioned that I could jump these together at the surge protector input. I accomplished the same thing with a plug in which I connected the neutral and ground together and plugged it into the extra outlet on the generator. So, not wanting to have this campground hassle again, I'm thinking about installing a switched jumper at the surge protector input. Has anyone else done this? I assume that's what's happening with the override switch on the remote, for those that have them. I also assume that my little jumper plug wouldn't help inside the Escape because it would be on the output side of the surge protector.....or would the surge protector still sense that the ground and neutral are connected, even though it's on the output side? I would appreciate any comments. I like that the surge protector is doing it's job, but on occasion it would be very helpful to go ahead and get connected while reporting the problem to the campground.
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Old 11-14-2016, 06:21 PM   #2
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I'm sure the switched jumper on the input side would work, but I wouldn't want it 'on' when the trailer is plugged into a proper shore power source... that's one reason that the jumper plug on the generator is a slick solution when using the generator: it stays with the generator. Maybe a switch with a pilot light?
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Old 11-14-2016, 06:31 PM   #3
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I'm with you there. I wouldn't want to leave it shorted, which could go unnoticed if it's under the bench right behind the surge protector.

Any idea whether the surge protector would be satisfied with the jumper plug on the outlet side? I'm a bit reluctant to try it, but it certainly would be simpler. I'm guessing it doesn't "see" what's on the output side before the relay closes.
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Old 11-14-2016, 06:32 PM   #4
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Couldn't you just remove the surge protector and be totally unaware?
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Old 11-14-2016, 06:41 PM   #5
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Couldn't you just remove the surge protector and be totally unaware?
Sure! We camped for years that way with a teardrop, Scamp, and Casita! Never a worry.
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Old 11-14-2016, 06:43 PM   #6
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I wonder if my little plug gizmo would work at the power bush if I plugged it into the 20 amp outlet (usually) next to the 30 amp outlet that I'm connected to.
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Old 11-14-2016, 06:47 PM   #7
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Would this work on yours?

Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea

What model is yours?

Here is a generator plug they make
http://www.progressiveindustries.net/generator-plug
Watch the video on this page
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Old 11-14-2016, 07:49 PM   #8
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Would this work on yours?

Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea

What model is yours?

Here is a generator plug they make
Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea
Watch the video on this page
That's really intriguing. I don't know our exact model number, and all the manuals are locked up in the Escape tonight. Our surge protector looks just like the EMS-LCHW30, though. Our build sheet doesn't specify the model number, but the cost back then, when the exchange rate was about 1:1 was $260, which matches the current price for that model. I bet their bypass box would work, and at that cost, it wouldn't make sense to do anything else.

The generator plug looks like it does exactly what my homemade one does.

Thanks!
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Old 11-15-2016, 06:57 AM   #9
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I was under the impression that every Progressive EMS had a bypass switch, either on the remote or on the unit itself. Did you check with them?
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Old 11-15-2016, 08:06 AM   #10
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I didn't check, but I did look at the unit itself. That, and Reace describing a work-around leads me to believe there is no switch. I'll be at the camper today and will get the model number and give them a call. I'm hoping the switch box that Tom posted will work so I don't have to rig up something on my own. I'm in the middle of converting to a powered bathroom fan, and that's taking most of my creative energies at present!
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Old 11-15-2016, 10:42 AM   #11
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I'm converting to a powered bathroom fan too but I'm letting Reace install it in a new camper.
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Old 11-15-2016, 10:43 AM   #12
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Expensive fan upgrade....
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Old 11-15-2016, 10:44 AM   #13
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I was under the impression that every Progressive EMS had a bypass switch, either on the remote or on the unit itself. Did you check with them?
The early ones before around May 2013 did not have a remote.
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Old 11-15-2016, 10:44 AM   #14
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Expensive fan upgrade....

Following your footsteps
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Old 11-15-2016, 11:02 AM   #15
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Following your footsteps
WOW!!! Keeping ETI busy... Congratulations!!
Following those footsteps, on that same trail, at least you know where you end up at...
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Old 11-15-2016, 11:13 AM   #16
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The early ones before around May 2013 did not have a remote.
The one I purchased and installed in my 2012 Escape 19 had the remote with the switch, so they were available then. I contacted Progressive Tech support today and asked about the cut off switch. If you have the remote it has a switch, if you have the
older model without a remote, they do sell a kit that allows you to wire in bypass only switch or they also have the generator attachment kit.
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Old 11-15-2016, 11:54 AM   #17
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I've confirmed that our 2013 without remote does not have a switch on the surge protector, but it does appear to be the correct model to use the external switch shown in Tom's link. So that's the plan. Thanks everyone.
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Old 11-15-2016, 12:06 PM   #18
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Following your footsteps
Hi: Kountrykamper... But you probably had to fill your propane tanks eh? Alf
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Old 11-15-2016, 12:07 PM   #19
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Hi: Kountrykamper... But you probably had to fill your propane tanks eh? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
Yelp, several times.
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Old 11-15-2016, 12:10 PM   #20
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The one I purchased and installed in my 2012 Escape 19 had the remote with the switch, so they were available then. I contacted Progressive Tech support today and asked about the cut off switch. If you have the remote it has a switch, if you have the
older model without a remote, they do sell a kit that allows you to wire in bypass only switch or they also have the generator attachment kit.
I vaguely remember something about it not being standard back then. Parker did not get it around March 2013 and I asked for the remote in July 2013 and Reace said it was going to be standard from then on.

I have slept since then.
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