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EMS hardwire location

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SandDragger

Member
Looking to move from my current Progressive EMS to a hardwired EMS (not sure if I'm going to stick with Progressive or switch to Power Watchdog). Any tips/good locations to mount in a '25 310RL? Any experience with the hardwired versions above?
 
BryanValRox

BryanValRox

Elite Member
SandDragger said:
Looking to move from my current Progressive EMS to a hardwired EMS (not sure if I'm going to stick with Progressive or switch to Power Watchdog). Any tips/good locations to mount in a '25 310RL? Any experience with the hardwired versions above?
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I can only say, I am very happy with my hardwired Power Watchdog!
Choose your location wisely, as the heavy gauge wire can be difficult to work with.
Several members here have mounted theirs to the ceiling of the pass thru compartment and monitor it via the phone app.

Personally, I mounted ours in a empty space on the wet bay panel. This way I can direct read the status or any faults that may happen………to each their own.

I will offer one negative, if you happen to be troubleshooting an issue, it certainly is more difficult to bypass a hardwire one as opposed to switching out a portable one from a friend to rule an issue out.(don’t ask me how I know)
 
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Lantley

Prominent Member
I;ll throw in my 2 cents here. I have a progressive hardwire EMS.
I prefer hardwire because I handle it once and I never touch it again once its in place. Portable just becomes one more thing to set up and put away each and every trip.
Set up and break down is the part of RV life I despise the most. I try to keep setup and break down as concise as possible.
I considered the Watchdog however I don't like that it operates via an app.
When things go haywire I don't want to put my phone into the process to get critical data or info.
Is bluetooth connected? Where is my phone? Why won't it connect? When thing go south it will be dark and raining, now the phone is wet . No problem get the tablet. But now I have to pair the tablet. How do you put Watchdog in pairing mode.
15 minutes later I'm getting the data......If I'm lucky! You get the idea.
I don't want to deal with any of that! The progressive unit has a remote hardwire display that keeps it simple! There is also a switch to put it in by pass mode. I had a progressive unit for 12 years at this point
 
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RockDr896

Well-known member
Lantley said:
I;ll throw in my 2 cents here. I have a progressive hardwire EMS.
I prefer hardwire because I handle it once and I never touch it again once its in place. Portable just becomes one more thing to set up and put away each and every trip.
Set up and break down is the part of RV life I despise the most. I try to keep setup and break down as concise as possible.
I considered the Watchdog however I don't like that it operates via an app.
When things go haywire I don't want to put my phone into the process to get critical data or info.
Is bluetooth connected? Where is my phone? Why won't it connect? When thing go south it will be dark and raining, now the phone is wet . No problem get the tablet. But now I have to pair the tablet. How do you put Watchdog in pairing mode.
15 minutes later I'm getting the data......If I'm lucky! You get the idea.
I don't want to deal with any of that! The progressive unit has a remote hardwire display that keeps it simple! There is also a switch to put it in by pass mode. I had a progressive unit for 12 years at this point
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I like my watchdog, but if I ever put it inside, I would establish 2 junction boxes for both sides and plug my external to them. That way I could swap it out with an extra one, if needed to troubleshoot. If I did put it inside, I would have to remove panels to get to it...this is why mine is still hanging on the pedestal as well.
 
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SandDragger

Member
My first thought was to mount any monitoring panels in the wet bay for easy reading. That is definitely the 1 downside, troubleshooting. It would be great if somebody offered a solution that had some sort of bypass.
I like the Watchdog because I can monitor from my phone, but also like the external reading panel that the Progressive has.
And I am 100% onboard with setup and break down. I have spent the last year'ish trying to simply everything as much as possible. This is one of my last things that would help. I've also been to enough campgrounds where the pedestal is low enough that once I connect my Progressive, my shore cord is damn near on the ground. Then I worry about water issues.
I like the idea of a junction box, almost like a generator transfer switch.
 
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kmac7800

Active member
Can anyone share pictures of their hardwire setup? I used to have a hardwire in our 2016 ORV, however I went with portable when I got the 310RL. I put the hardwire behind the outside shower, which made it very simple. I have no idea where I would put it in the 310RL.

Thanks!

//KMac
 
BryanValRox

BryanValRox

Elite Member
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Avidcamper

New member
I purchased the progressive unit and will mount it behind the passthru panel. The remote display will go near the water connections. The progressive does have a bypass switch which help with troubleshooting. Just have to find where the wiring is routed and place it somewhere in between.
 
Oregon_Camper

Oregon_Camper

Forum Admin
Staff member
I've had both...both work great. I'd now recommend Watchdog, as it provide PLENTY of room inside the housing to wiring it up. You will struggle with the Progressive to get all the wires connected and inside their box. Things might have changed over last 2 years, but mine (in prior RV 8 years ago) and a buddies I just helped him install (2 years ago) were VERY VERY tight on space.
 
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Avidcamper

New member
I agree on the tight space. last one I did I installed on back wall of cabinet. Was in a confined space plus trying to get those heavy wires connected. Wish me luck on this one. Gotta get a youngster to help.
 
Oregon_Camper

Oregon_Camper

Forum Admin
Staff member
Avidcamper said:
I agree on the tight space. last one I did I installed on back wall of cabinet. Was in a confined space plus trying to get those heavy wires connected. Wish me luck on this one. Gotta get a youngster to help.
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I didn't mean inside the RV, I meant inside the actual box. Here is a picture I just grabbed of internet. I remember is was harder than it should have been.
1769221970727.png
 
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Lantley

Prominent Member
Oregon_Camper said:
I didn't mean inside the RV, I meant inside the actual box. Here is a picture I just grabbed of internet. I remember is was harder than it should have been.
View attachment 4477
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The issue is not that the space is too tight. The issue is that the wires are too stiff or too heavy to use you hand strength or fingers. They have to be manipulated quickly.Trying to install with fingers is tricky don't be afraid or too prideful to get out the needle nose pliers (2 pair if necessary) and bend the wires as required.
 
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Lantley

Prominent Member
RockDr896 said:
I like my watchdog, but if I ever put it inside, I would establish 2 junction boxes for both sides and plug my external to them. That way I could swap it out with an extra one, if needed to troubleshoot. If I did put it inside, I would have to remove panels to get to it...this is why mine is still hanging on the pedestal as well.
Click to expand...
There is merit to installing with junction boxes and plugs, But the whole issue is small spaces and manipulating stiff heavy wires.
Adding plugs and junction boxes requires more space and more wires to manipulate! is that really any easier or better than just installing a hardwired unit? Maybe that makes it easier to swap out but it also makes it 3 times as hard to install in the first place
 
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Bozo

Prominent Member
My progressive is mounted to the ceiling in the pass through on my valor. I also use a remote readout placed on wall just below systems panel in living room. I prefer hardwired units.
 
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