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Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #20 –

I got the switch I used for this mod from Amazon (2 years ago) for $295.  They have gone up since then:

Amazon.com : AC Rotary Switch - OFF + 2 Positions 240V AC 65A : Boating...

Here is the link to the supplier mentioned by G & S above:

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

Shop around (Google) before buying.  Prices at various suppliers seem to vary up and down for no particular reason.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #21 –
One last quick note.  We are leaving the boating season and we will shortly be in the Annapolis Boat Show time in October.  Defender and others have significant sales at that time. 

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #22 –
Quote from: CM05U270 –
If  the  manual transfer switch being that is being discussed is installed, how does that installation affect the AUTO-START generator capabilities?
This member asked a question that was not answered, and I'm wondering if you guys (Rich, G&S) who installed the manual switch can help him.  We don't have generator auto-start on our coach, so I don't know how it works or how it relates to the ATS function.  Anybody?

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #23 –
Sorry I can't help on this one.  I do not use and will not use auto start.  I understand why others do but I just could not adjust to the genset operating without manual activation.  I will probably need to get over this if we go to residential but no help now.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #24 –
Well, now that I am thinking about it, the answer to the question seems pretty logical.  Say I do have generator auto-start.  If I have my manual switch set on "SHORE" and the shore power fails, then (I assume) the generator would (at some point) automatically start up to supply AC power and keep my house batteries charged.  BUT, it would not do any good, because my manual switch is set on "SHORE".  I would have to be there (in person) to recognize the shore power failure, and turn the manual switch to "GEN".  If not, the inverter (if set to "AUTO") would deplete my house batteries.

So the answer to the member's question is this:  In this scenario, the generator auto-start function would be of no benefit with this manual switch installed.  I suppose this scenario is a good argument for staying with a ATS.  In that case, the one mentioned by Chris above, with the (quiet) DC-powered relays, sounds like the way to go.

Edit: If you DO install this manual switch, and you DO have generator auto-start, it would still be useful when you are dry camping.  In that case, since you are running on inverter, you could leave the manual switch set to "GEN".  Then, If your house batteries are drained to the programmed cut-on voltage, the auto-start should fire up the generator, and it would do its job supplying AC power and recharging the batteries.  When it cuts off, the inverter would come back on line.  ^.^d

As always, Do What Makes You Happy!

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #25 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 #31 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
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 –
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 #34 –
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 –
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!  >:D

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #36 –
Mike,

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

Suspect you do NOT have an automatic generator start.

Re: Transfer switch questions

Reply #38 –
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 –
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.