Transfer switch questions

Topic: Transfer switch questions (Read 4298 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #25 – August 13, 2017, 09:49:32 am

Let me digress a moment. Yes that is logical. However, our present solar set up makes this a non issue. Beyond the scope of original question for sure but another benefit of a solar array. Our generator is a nice to have accessory. Like you said Chuck WMYH.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #26 – August 13, 2017, 10:12:31 am

I have been reading this and other threads about the transfer switch hum. Which one does the humming? We are always dry camped when sleeping and never have heard the hum. Does that mean I have to be plugged in for this to happen? Our situation would not allow the manual switch. We leave the coach in a stand by condition, food in the freezer and full of water in case of earthquake it is our survival location. Since it is always plugged in and we don't go out to the coach on a daily or weekly basis, I leave the generator on auto-start incase something fails between my pedestal, (box on outside wall) the generator will start after the batteries reach 12.2 hearing the generator run would alert me to the problem. Food rotting would ruin the freezer, have seen it happen. Are switch failures common enough to add one to my spare parts drawer?

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #27 – August 13, 2017, 12:36:51 pm

Really surprised to see that the manual switch is (much) more expensive than a replacement ATS. That and the issue of the auto-start, causes me to back off.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #28 – August 13, 2017, 12:40:57 pm

Let me re-address the auto-start/manual transfer switch question:

If on shore power and power goes out, NO, it will not work.

But, if dry camping, the manual switch will already be to on generator, so yes it will work.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #29 – August 13, 2017, 10:25:27 pm

I second what Chuck said. Sorry, I just checked in and did not see the question till now.

My needs may be a little different from many others'. I live and work full time in the coach. When I'm on shore power, I'm usually working. If I lose shore power for any reason my internet connection and computers continue running on Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSes) which also provide some power conditioning (mine are pure sine wave - in fact the power they provide tests out better than power directly from the grid.) As Chuck said, when using shore power, if it fails I can only get power from the generator by manually turning the switch to the generator and starting the generator manually, so the auto-start in that case would be of no use.

On the other hand, if I happen to be away from shore power and using only the solar as a power source then theoretically I could have the transfer switch set to generator, and take advantage of the generator's auto-start feature to kick in when the batteries reach some level of discharge. I don't know what the triggering mechanism is for the generator's auto-start though, so I'll have to look into that.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #30 – August 13, 2017, 10:34:29 pm

This is where I bought the switch:

Blue Sea Systems 9019 AC Selector Switch, AC 240VAC 63A OFF +2

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #31 – August 13, 2017, 10:45:57 pm

Quote from: George and Steph – August 12, 2017, 07:28:07 pm

After coordinating with Chuck last winter I picked mine up from Defender

http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|328|2290051&id=2290059

Defender.com select electrical-then switch- then selection switch. Having a problem with link copy

They are Marine but usually have good prices.

Note: I could find only a 32 Amp capacity switch on Defender:
http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|328|2290051|2290059&id=839597
The switch that Chuck and I both installed is a model 9019 65 Amp capacity switch:
Blue Sea Systems 9019 AC Selector Switch, AC 240VAC 63A OFF +2

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #32 – August 14, 2017, 07:22:14 am

Not sure if Defender no longer carry s but mine is the same as Chucks. It was there at the time of post for just over $300. Place 9019 in search and it comes up. May be a site problem.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #33 – August 14, 2017, 08:07:15 am

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C328%7C2290000%7C2290004&id=1329856

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #34 – August 14, 2017, 11:51:55 am

I am aware that manual transfer switch is an alternative. Eliminating transfer switch completely is another alternative. Just wire shore cable directly to main panel, putting a generator outlet in the bay and plugging the shore cable into it or into campground. Or keep on using automatic relay transfer switches also works just fine. I don't think one way is absolutely the best way as all have some 'disadvantages'.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #35 – August 14, 2017, 12:05:10 pm

We don't have a ATS, which is fine with us. I would hope that hi-liners pulling in late would shut down the ATS. Nothing wrecks a dream you're having about a high school sweetheart 50 years ago like a gen coming on in the middle of the night!

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #36 – August 14, 2017, 12:06:39 pm

Mike,

Suspect you DO have an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch).

Suspect you do NOT have an automatic generator start.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #37 – August 14, 2017, 12:10:37 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 14, 2017, 12:06:39 pm

Mike,

Suspect you DO have an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch).

Suspect you do NOT have an automatic generator start.

Yes, true. I stand corrected!

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #38 – August 14, 2017, 12:18:22 pm

Mike,

Oh, I don't know if it bad to be awakened by the generator. Maybe it is a good time to say those three little words to the DW.... "are you awake".
Jim

2002 U320

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #39 – August 14, 2017, 02:16:33 pm

Chuck, you said: "If you DO install this manual switch, and you DO have generator auto-start, it would still be useful when you are dry camping."

If I understand what you meant correctly, then what you said would only work if the genset provides 120AC power to the Inverter/charger, which via the inverter/charger internal "auto selector switch" provides 120AC power to whatever the inverter was powering. At the same time the charger will start charging the batteries.

With my motorhome, this would not work because my inverter is just an inverter and my battery charging is done with a converter ( a single stage charger which cannot bulk charge).

I found this thread to be very interesting and will post what I did, next.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #40 – August 14, 2017, 02:41:48 pm

Wyatt,

Not sure I understand the issue.

With a manual transfer switch set to "generator", when the automatic generator start system starts the generator, ALL circuits powered by the main breaker box (which is what is fed by the transfer switch) are powered. So, whether converter or inverter/charger, they are powered.

BTW, no different than with an ATS. Same circuits are powered by generator.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #41 – August 14, 2017, 02:41:55 pm

I removed the inverter power panel and rewired all loads into the main panel.
I reorganized all breakers in the main panel and colour coded them "Red" for the red hot, and "Black" for the black hot.
I installed two manual 65 amp selector switches in the empty space at the top of the power panel.
One manual selector switch selects Shore, Genset, or Inverter to power the "Red" breakers.
The other manual selector switch selects Shore or Genset to power the "Black" breakers.
I separated the neutral bus bar into two neutral bus bars, one for "Red" and one for "Black"

This results in me being able to load balance between red hot and black hot and have the red breakers on Inverter while the black breakers are on the genset or shore.

I ran a second neutral wire from the power panel to the utility bay where I installed two 40 amp, twist lock receptacles, one for "Red" and one for "Black".

Now I can connect two 30 amp power cords to shore power, one for "Red" and one for "Black". even when the shore power receptacles are "ground fault" protected.

I seldom use the 50 amp (really 100 amp) power cord because almost no campgrounds on Vancouver Island have 50 amp receptacles.
I will attempt to post pictures!

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #42 – August 14, 2017, 02:46:50 pm

Brett, I was responding to Reply #24, third paragraph, which discussed using a manual selector switch with genset autostart.
Thanks for your input.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #43 – August 14, 2017, 02:50:00 pm

Sorry folks I cannot remember how to post pictures and must go now for an appointment.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #44 – August 21, 2017, 01:14:28 pm

My ATS has failed. Does anyone know where to order an ATS 100 that will fit in the space in a 2000 U320. I have researched the forum but do not see a listing for a replacement. Thanks for your help. Ken

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #45 – August 21, 2017, 02:44:08 pm

Ken,
If you are a DIY kind of person you can rebuild the ATS 100.

If it is just the contacts that are burnt they are replaceable. We are on the road and don't have the part number for them but I think the number has been posted here on the forum somewhere.

If the coil/relay is bad it is also a replaceable item. There should be a sticker on the relay that will give you a part number that you can cross reference.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #46 – August 21, 2017, 08:15:03 pm

How has it failed? Which ATS? ATS 100 has not been sold for many years. Other ATS are available, some have the three 50-amp cables terminated in a different position. As others have said ATS 100 points are available, although not real cheap, sold as each. Also another alternative is your coach probably has two identical ATS 100 transfer switches. The inverter ATS only uses 2 of the 3 relay points, so there is another option for a repair.

Affiliate Notice