50A Power Pal

Zulu · August 15, 2016

I'm thinking of buying this 50A Power Pal because it looks to be a lot easier to use than one of these as the former talks to you while the latter is almost impossible to read in daylight.

Also, is there a 30A adapter for this guy?

Kirk W · August 16, 2016

While this is the first I've heard of your new test equipment idea, it really doesn't protect you from anything, while the Surge Guard 4470 does have surge protection in the event of something like a lightning strike. What we used for our 50a RV was the Surge Guard 38450 that has protection for nearly all power problems and particularly for low voltage sag issues, which is the most common power problem. But it is more expensive.

oldjohnt · August 16, 2016

Gee Kirk I didn't recognize you from the different pic. I trust all is well your way and maybe we will still meet up someday when we spend a month in Texas visiting our daughter in Austin.

Take care and stay dry down there.

John T

Mark and Dale Bruss · August 16, 2016

I didn't think they were making Power Pal any more but Kirk is right, this is just an elaborate meter/tester. Most of the problem I have run into with Park Power is under load and the Power Pal can't sense that.

Spend the money for a full fleged EMS system which is monitoring input power all the time.

BigTexRex · August 16, 2016

Nice. Here's one you can build if you're a little handy.

http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/tester_50amp.htm

Yarome · August 16, 2016

X2 on all counts. Continuous monitoring/surge/current protection is ideal. PI has a newer monitor/surge protector that is even less than the two options listed above, but I highly recommend going with a full EMS. Either hardwired, or portable @ $20 more. The best lifetime warranty in the market, IMO.

Zulu · August 16, 2016

Sigh . . .

I already have an EMS (Surge Guard 40240), but since I have a TRC Voltage Regulator (ie, autoformer), TRC recommends this config: Pedestal > Model 44270 > Voltage Regulator > Surge Guard 40240 EMS. The 44270 is just a fault indicator -- you plug it in before connecting the autoformer in order to protect the autoformer. The 40240 is the EMS.

BTW, this is my current setup and I don't want a PI unit.

Anyway, the 44270 uses very dim LEDs that's why I like the 50A Power Pal -- it's loud.

So has anyone been able to use a 50A Power Pal on a 30A outlet?

Kirk W · August 16, 2016

Take care and stay dry down there.

We aren't "down there" just now. Presently we are in Michigan.

Yarome · August 16, 2016

So has anyone been able to use a 50A Power Pal on a 30A outlet?

WOW! That is quite a ton of gear and a lot of redundancy going on there.

If a talking meter before you consider plugging in would make your life easier.. go for it. Myself... I would just fabricate a sun shield to make the 44270's led's more visible. Another 170 bones on top of the 1.3k already invested wouldn't be worth it to me, but.. to each their own.

The Power Pal will read 30A and 20A just fine. Any ol standard adapter will do.

whj469 · August 16, 2016

How could anything be any easier then a EMS? You just plug it in and if there is an issue it will stop the

power from getting to the RV. That test meter will only show that it is good when you are testing. I have a whole set of testers

from Sears and they were only $100 on sale.

hemsteadc · August 16, 2016

.., while the Surge Guard 4470 does have surge protection in the event of something like a lightning strike. .

Wow.. I didn't think any surge protector was that good.

Kirk W · August 16, 2016

Wow.. I didn't think any surge protector was that good.

Not if lightning hits the RV, but it does a fine job when a power line is struck, which isn't all that rare in spring thunderstorms. We used to replace a lot of power supplies for customers from lightning caused surges.