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Topic: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto (Read 289 times) previous topic - next topic
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Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Hi all,

I'm getting an E-02 error on my Progressive Industries surge protector display and therefore I can't get power into my LD when plugging into shore power. We have not plugged in anywhere this season except when I plug into my outlet in my garage on occasion as necessary. Never had an issue before but I went to plug in this week and received the E-02 error which means the surge protector detects an open ground. I tried two different outlets and also tested the outlets with my outlet tester which showed no errors. I have a rear bath and honestly not even sure where the surge protector is located since it is an aftermarket add on that was put in prior to my purchase this past year. I was thinking possibly my extension cord could be faulty? The outlet I use is a regular 115v and I do not try and run anything when plugged in. It's mainly to make sure the batteries are topped off esp. during the winter. I had no issues with it this past winter season. If I use the generator everything powers up fine. Would appreciate any assistance and where to look for my surge protector to investigate.
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #1 –
It probably is under, behind, the bottom drawer in the wardrobe. The only other place is behind the power panel which is accessed by pulling the panel to the left of the drawer under the fridge or pulling the power panel out.

Since it is apparently before the transfer switch I expect it to be under the wardrobe.
Harry 2006RB
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #2 –
Quote from: hbn7hj  - 
It probably is under, behind, the bottom drawer in the wardrobe. The only other place is behind the power panel which is accessed by pulling the panel to the left of the drawer under the fridge or pulling the power panel out.

Since it is apparently before the transfer switch I expect it to be under the wardrobe.

Will look there. I didn't notice it previously when winterizing the water pump but could of missed it. I pulled the panel next to the furnace which has the main breakers but didn't see anything aftermarket there. I was assuming it would be in this area because the readout display is on that side on the wall. Do I need to dig behind the breaker panel somehow?
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #3 –
Quote from: brewersarcade  - 
Do I need to dig behind the breaker panel somehow?

Dunno. Follow the lead from the display. Pull the drawer under the fridge then the panel to the left.
Harry 2006RB
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #4 –
"I'm getting an E-02 error on my Progressive Industries surge protector display..."

Your post tells me you have the remote display such as the one I have. On the underside of the display you probably have a small button. If you switch the button to it's opposite side that will by-pass the surge protector and allow you to have AC power to the rig. Hope my suggestion is clear.  ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #6 –
I second what Joan said.

OK, up front, I am doing some guessing here.  An open ground means the EMS is not detecting a continuous circuit to ground.  The immediate, obvious thought is a problem with the power supply you are connecting to, but that is not the only possibility.  You might have a bad ground probe on your cord, or a bad socket at the connection to the rig.  Either could occur from a loose connection in either of the cord terminals, or from corrosion.  The connector on the wall of the RV could have a loose or corroded ground connection, and the same goes for the ground connection in the EMS.

Suggestions - find another 30 amp RV connector and try connecting there.  Do not use any adapters.  Make it a straight, simple connection.  If you STILL have an open ground, the problem is somewhere between the end of your cord and the EMS.  If you do not have an open ground at the new power source, but you do at home, you have a problem in your home power supply setup.  If you are using an adapter to connect to a conventional 115v outlet, but the outlet tests ok, I would suspect the adapter.

Does your generator feed through the EMS by way of the ATS?  If so, does the EMS read OK with the generator?  If so, you probably do not have  a problem with the EMS but you might have a problem in the ATS.

Bottom line, the rig is not safe to use until you solve this.  You can try the stuff I suggested, but if that does not reveal the cause, get a pro to solve it for you.

Ken F in NM (my last night here)

'08 MB
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #7 –
Did you use the tester at the end of the extension cord? I got the E-02 error after installing my  surge protector. Turns out the extension cord I had been using had a ground break  in it. Are you using a 20A to 30A adapter? Should check it out too. 
Steve
2003TK
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #8 –
I suggest you head over to the hardware store and pit together the following tester. I have used this for years to check out if a receptacle is wired correctly. Works on 15, 20 and 30-amp circuits.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/albums/72157714276164246

If the receptacle checks out OK, the PI hardwired surge protector, if equipped with the remote FOB, has a bypass switch. Use this only until the issue is solved and the tester continues to show the power is good.
Every time our PI protector has shown a code, the shore power wiring was bad.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #9 –
Quote from: brewersarcade  - 
I tried two different outlets and also tested the outlets with my outlet tester which showed no errors. I have a rear bath and honestly not even sure where the surge protector is located since it is an aftermarket add on that was put in prior to my purchase this past year. I was thinking possibly my extension cord could be faulty?
Since you are undoubtedly using an adapter in the mix to connect your 30A RV plug, I would suspect that adapter...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #10 –
"If you are using an adapter to connect to a conventional 115v outlet, but the outlet tests ok, I would suspect the adapter."
----
As Ken and Steve said, the adapter might be the problem; is it an inexpensive "puck" adapter? What gauge is the "extension cord"? (A 30A cord is 10 gauge.)

Please post when the problem is resolved; thank you.


2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
I suggest you head over to the hardware store and pit together the following tester. I have used this for years to check out if a receptacle is wired correctly. Works on 15, 20 and 30-amp circuits.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/albums/72157714276164246

If the receptacle checks out OK, the PI hardwired surge protector, if equipped with the remote FOB, has a bypass switch. Use this only until the issue is solved and the tester continues to show the power is good.
Every time our PI protector has shown a code, the shore power wiring was bad.

Larry

Larry,

It says I need to log in to view this album.
2001 MB
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #12 –
Will be tackling this project this weekend and will report back. Yes I am using a 10g 30a extension cord with a heavy duty adapter to 115v. I have tested the outlets in my garage to verify they have proper ground and they show no error on my circuit tester which plugs into the outlet at the garage.  I’m suspecting hopefully it is the extension cable or adapter. Using the generator provides no errors which is good. I suppose the outlet receptacle could be bad on the actual RV as mentioned. Is there a way to test it using a multimeter to check for ground continuity maybe?
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #13 –
Quote from: henness  - 
Larry,

It says I need to log in to view this album.

Same here.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #14 –
Quote from: henness  - 
Larry,
It says I need to log in to view this album.

It should be available now.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #15 –
I have the outlet tester and just ordered the adapter to be able to test. Thanks Larry! Should arrive on Sunday.
Quote from: Larry W  - 
I suggest you head over to the hardware store and pit together the following tester. I have used this for years to check out if a receptacle is wired correctly. Works on 15, 20 and 30-amp circuits.
Power wiring tester | Flickr

If the receptacle checks out OK, the PI hardwired surge protector, if equipped with the remote FOB, has a bypass switch. Use this only until the issue is solved and the tester continues to show the power is good.
Every time our PI protector has shown a code, the shore power wiring was bad.

Larry

Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #16 –
First off thank you guys for the helpful answers. As one of the non retired LD’rs with 3 little kids it’s hard to find the time to address little gremlins. LUCKILY, those of you who guessed the 30amp to 15amp adapter were correct. It had a loose ground and when testing using Larry’s adapter idea proved it showed an open ground. I did find the Surge Protector neatly installed in the storage area under the fridge. Whew, glad it was an easy fix!! I even found the receipt for the installation in case the surge protector was faulty. Interesting enough I also found some receipts that show that Larry Wade did some of the upgrades on our rig. Nice to know it was in good hands. Larry, do you recall a lady named Sheila Brown from Northridge Ca? She unfortunately passed but her rig and memory are now with my family to make some new memories! Thanks again everyone.
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #17 –
Quote from: brewersarcade  - 
Interesting enough I also found some receipts that show that Larry Wade did some of the upgrades on our rig. Nice to know it was in good hands. Larry, do you recall a lady named Sheila Brown from Northridge Ca? She unfortunately passed but her rig and memory are now with my family to make some new memories!

I definitely remember Sheila Brown. Her LD was parked in our driveway for three weeks while I installed the long list of goodies she wanted. She had owned RVs before and knew exactly what she wanted.  I also set up her Honda Fit for towing behind her RB.
She wasn't well and was going through a traumatic splitting of her late husband's estate with his heirs.

 last time I saw her it was a year later, in a RV Park in Northridge. She didn't look good, going through cancer treatment at the time.
She never responded to emails after that and I assumed she had died.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Open Ground error code parked at home with Progressive Industries Surge Protecto
Reply #18 –
I had this problem plugged in to a 15 or 20 amp outdoor outlet using a light gauge fairly short (10 feet or less) extension cord.  I never did drill down to the exact cause.  It was pretty wimpy power.  I could run an electric space heater only at 750 watts, not 1500.  The voltage either dropped so low that the Progressive device shut down power or it caused me concern.  That is one thing I like is being able to see voltage and manage how many AC devices I am running.  Anyway I ended up plugging in to 30 amp service a few days later with no adapters or light gauge cords and had no problem.

I installed my progressive industries power monitor under the drawer in the bathroom closet of my RB.  I am pretty sure it does not monitor AC power when I am running the generator.  I don’t even know where the transfer switch is.  I suspect it is on the passenger side in the power converter area and that is why Larry put the power monitor in that location?
Jay Carlson
2003  LD RB
2005 Bigfoot 40MH35LX
rvingjaygwynne.wordpress.com