A few thoughts on picking up a new trailer...

[Chama]

We are beginning our 6th week of full time living in our E21 since we picked up on January 14th and I would like to share a few thoughts on the pick-up process that may hopefully benefit others.

You will not have time to check out all the systems in the trailer to see if they are working on the morning you pick up. My suggestion is to send a list of things that you are particularly concerned about to Escape and ask that those items specifically be checked out before you pick up.

Tools and things we needed that we did not have:
1. EMS- A very small screw driver like for eyeglasses to adjust the EMS. Read how to do this before you pick up. I did not so we had a night where the EMS shut off power 5 times before we learned how to adjust the calibration of EMS. You will also need a multimeter to do the calibration.
2. Small padlocks for the front storage box.
3. Some way to mop the trailer floor. Ours was filthy on pickup, presumably from the workers’ boots, so we had to buy a Swiffer on Day 3 to mop the floor.
4. Furnace sail switch- Watch the video that Reace did about how to remove and install the sail switch in the furnace. Odds favor the switch failing in a new furnace due to fibers getting caught in the switch. I could not get one of the power leads to the switch off and needed to buy small needle-nose pliers to get the lead off and back on when removing the switch to clean. The tool that ETI furnishes with each new trailer has the correct square drive bit to fit the screws on the furnace hatch cover. The furnace hatch cover is a real innovation and makes cleaning the sail switch an easy matter.
5. Power cord- The locking collar for trailer side of removable power cord could not, at first, be tightened. Dave in Service said to use a heat gun, heat it up, then screw it on. I did not have a heat gun so we limped along without being able to tighten the lock collar very securely. Finally, by Week 5 the part had worn enough that I was able to get the collar screwed fully on. I'd ask ETI to do this fix for you before pickup.

[EdColorado]

Plus sawdust in the drawers, closet, under the bed, etc.
A through vacuum cleaning should be done when construction is finished. Bring your Dust Buster with you.

And provide a list by manufacturer and model number of all components not manufactured by ETI. Links to the user manual would be a big help. Dave provided what I requested but a list would have saved him the time.



Ed

[gbaglo]

Bring a binder with plastic sleeves for all the documentation and instruction manuals. I still have everything after ten years.

[dfandrews]

These posts surprise me. Our 17 was absolutely clean in and out, top to bottom, when we picked it up. We did bring a broom and dustpan and a 12V dustbuster with us, but we have had those for years whenever we camp. May I suggest that you contact ETI directly with your post information. Reace and Tammy need to know this. In particular: dust, dirt, mess; adjustment of the EMS (never heard of that before); ill-fitting power cord collar.

Regarding tools, my opinion is (as a camper and traveler for many years) that a toolbox with an assortment of hand tools is valuable. There have been many discussions, with many opinions, on this forum about what to bring. (You don't have to do what I do: my toolbox weighs 30 lbs.)

[viator36]

I also didn't hear about EMS adjustment/calibration before and would like to know how to do it.

[Chama]

When we ran into EMS issues, I contacted Dave in Service and he emailed me two documents from Progressive with photos that show exactly where the tiny screw is located that needs to be turned to calibrate the EMS. With my member status, I can't post files but I will email one of the moderators to see if they can post it for me. Like many things, It was really simple once you know how. Our EMS was out of calibration, reading 5 volts higher than actual line voltage. At night when the line voltage naturally increases, our EMS sensed overvoltage and shut down multiple times (at what was 128 v. actual not 133 volts it sensed when it was out of calibration. Adjusted the tiny screw and now voltage displayed on the meter and actual line voltage on my Fluke meter are the same. No more problems after the calibration.

[viator36]

Chama, thanks for your explanation. This sounds like Progressive Industries QA problem and it should have been corrected before letting it ship out. And I would think ETI can easily detect the problem if it does a simple test. Like the sail switch and other issues I read here just have to be more prepared to tackle them.

[PGDriver]

Instructions for calibration of the EMS:

Remove the cover on the EMS, 6 Phillips head screws.

Attach a voltmeter on the line terminals of relay, the line voltage and the EMS display voltage should be the same. If not there is a small adjustment screw on the top of a blue plastic component (potentiometer) beside the orange wire connectors inside the unit.

Turn the adjustment screw until the EMS display reading matches your voltmeter reading.

Clockwise to lower your EMS display voltage.
Counterclockwise to raise your EMS display voltage.

Hope this helps.

[viator36]

If I'm not mistaken the left screw (red arrow) is the incoming side and the right one (blue arrow) is the outgoing side. So the outgoing side should be adjusted?

[cpaharley2008]

I just added the file Chama sent me to the "Files" section here. and Viator 36, that is not the correct location.....see the tiny blue box on the board on top of your finger, that is where the tiny screw.
But I agree, ETI should have this system calibrated upon completion of installation and have the trailer clean. You can always point out these things at your orientation, they have some time to clean it up before delivery.

[viator36]

Ok, so this is the adjustment screw, got it!

[steve dunham]

I’ve had to recalibrate my EMS twice . It likes to read high !

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by viator36

Ok, so this is the adjustment screw, got it!

Correct

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I’ve had to recalibrate my EMS twice . It likes to read high !

I must have been lucky 3 down, no adjusting, one more to go!

[drjenk]

I’d like to ask a silly question. What is an EMS?

[cpaharley2008]

Electrical Management System https://www.progressiveindustries.net

[cpaharley2008]

Just remember, the only silly question is the one not asked.....

[drjenk]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Electrical Management System https://www.progressiveindustries.net

Ah, thanks. I assume these calibrations have to do with the surge protection? What is there to calibrate?

[viator36]

Per OP's explanation "our EMS was out of calibration, reading 5 volts higher than actual line voltage. At night when the line voltage naturally increases, our EMS sensed overvoltage and shut down multiple times". After they adjusted the voltage down correctly there was no more shut down.

[cpaharley2008]

The EMS constantly monitors the electrical supply side, over/under voltage is common in the summer and can burn up your air conditioner as well as other electrical components. Any miswired cg electric can fry your equipment, it protects you. The range of over/under protection can be adjusted....