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ATS Issues

We are having problem with the ATS in our coach.  No AC power in the coach.  EMS outside has no errors. We have power at the ATS to the box.  We used the voltage test probe which said I had power at both hots and the neutral.  Neutral should not have any power. Disconnected the shoreline and removed the wires from the ATS and reconnected the shoreline and we have power only on the hot leads and not on the neutral.  This leads me to believe the ATS relay is shorted.  Question, the inverter ATS has 2 relays.  Does anyone know if the second relay is being used?  Just wondering if I can steal that relay.  If not, does any have the part number for the relay?
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #1 –
Do you have an electric reel? I had lost one leg and it was in the reel not the switch. Just a guess though

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #2 –
After a long search I think I am going to replace the transfer switch.  We are going to use the Progressive Dynamics Automatic Surge Protected Transfer Switch – "The Silent ATS"

I wanted to put a second EMS under the bed but this unit will replace my ATS and protect me under the bed from the generator or shore line.

John M.
This place has it almost $100 cheaper than Etrailer.

Automatic Surge Protected Transfer Switch
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #3 –
Quote from: DavidS –
Do you have an electric reel? I had lost one leg and it was in the reel not the switch. Just a guess though
The reel is fine.  Its the switch.  The ac relay is shorted.  Power up to the ATS is fine.

Thanks for the input.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #4 –
John I understand that everybody likes these ATS switches because that's what comes with the coach. But they do break. If it was me doing it I would put in blue sea switch
That way you become the auto in the transfer switch. Extremely reliable. One side gets wired up to the shore power, one side gets wired to the generator, and in the output goes to the coach.
But if you want to stick with automatic transfer switches the one you pick seems like a good one.
Good luck
Bob
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John Morales –
I wanted to put a second EMS under the bed but this unit will replace my ATS and protect me under the bed from the generator or shore line.

Hello John, I know you did your research and made your choice.  I do not know what your time frame is, or what EMS is your first one, that you mentioned.  So I apologize if my comments are unnecessary for you, maybe they will be useful to others later reading your thread.

So here is my two cents worth.  Your choice is a terrific ATS and is one I would use. (I installed the non DC PD52 because it was the only PD unit available that day, and time was an issue for me, it surprisingly is quiet and has worked great by the way). However your selected ATS will only give you "Current protection from high voltage surges, reverse polarity, and open neutral conditions".  It gives you no protection against high voltage such as 134 volts or higher, low voltage such as 104 volts or lower and does not have the ability to auto disconnect power and auto reconnect power like the Progressive Dynamics EMS or Hughes Power Watchdog, hard wired or portable unit, with both bluetooth and the important auto shutoff feature.  Without auto shutoff, low or high voltage from either shore or generator can take out your expensive appliances.

I and others have posted concerns about the necessity to correct these potential threats.  You could always later hardwire one in later between your ATS and the circuit  breaker box, or use the portable Hughes Power Dog.  You would then also gain protection by increasing, by combining, your total joules of surge protection.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #6 –
Jack L,
I have the Progressive Industries EMS-LCHW50 outside in the wet bay just after the power reel, picture attached.  It gives me  Surge Protection of 3,580Joules at 88,000 Amps max current spike. I want to use the New Progressive Dynamics PD52DCSD Automatic Surge Protected Transfer Switch inside. It is provided with a DC coil that eliminates the annoying buzzing during operation. The unit incorporates over voltage surge protection of 3300 Joules at 103,000 Amps. Attached is the Specifications Sheet.  The older unit PD52 you are discussing didn't offer any protection as you described.  I will be calling Progressive Dynamics on Monday to obtain more info.  They are in Michigan so I don't know if they are even open.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #7 –
Tested the issue some more today and I discovered that the inverter transfer switch was hung up giving me a misreading on my connections.  It would show on the outlets with an outlet tester and the Power Line panel that hot and ground were reversed and the transfer switch was making a lot of noise as it was trying to connect.  Power was being disrupted on line 1, inverter was flashing errors. After many attempts of messing with the transfer switch I let the power stay on that my rear air tried to come on and was struggling to come on with the issue, then all of the sudden the transfer switch released and everything was back to normal.  My thinking was that one of the contacts on the transfer switch was stuck.  The day before we had a power outage and after a half hour the power came back.  My EMS outside should of handled any issues there.  Just wondering if there was an issue with the switching process between shore line and inverter when the power went out causing the the transfer switch to hang up..  I'm just stumped as to why this happened and why it was causing the polarity error. 

The way Foretravel has this coach set up do I need an EMS on each transfer switch? Do I need to upgrade my inverter and get rid of the second transfer switch?  Even if I remove the transfer switch do I still need to be protected from the inverter, generator and shoreline?  It seems to be working ok for now on the inverter transfer switch.  I've turned power on the main off and on several times without any hang ups but I don't want to go through this again.  Going to put the shoreline transfer switch back on and see if everything is still working.  Any ideas would be accepted.
John M.

John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John Morales –
I've turned power on the main off and on several times without any hang ups but I don't want to go through this again.  Going to put the shoreline transfer switch back on and see if everything is still working.  Any ideas would be accepted.
John M.

John, your plan to replace the ATS with the one you selected is perfect.  So is your plan to call PD.  It should eliminate another similar problem that you have just experienced. Also, I have the same EMS-LCHW50 as you do.  PD have terrific, quality products. The only difference is I mounted mine between the ATS and the circuit breaker panel to also protect me from a low or high voltage from both the shore power (as yours is wired) and also protect me from the generator.

John, when you talk to Progressive Dynamics I would ask them about whether the
 PD52DCSV has low and high voltage protection.  Only on the chart you posted does it say so.  I have found no other information stating that is so.  It really does not matter though, as this is still, I believe, the best ATS available for the money.  Low or High voltage protection would be nice, however, I believe your chart was made by someone in error. 
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #9 –
Well both transfer switches are connected and everything is working as it should. I still don't understand why the inverter transfer switch hung up and gave me the polarity error.  I am looking to replace the inverter soon.  Just wondering if I replace it,  should I eliminate that transfer switch. I have to assume that these transfer switches are 21 years old along with the inverter.  Maybe it is just time to update everything just like I did on the roof. 
Again thanks for the input,
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #10 –
John go with Victron inverter charger. It has a transfer switch built in.  After 20 years things break down and need to be replaced.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: ATS Issues

Reply #11 –
After looking closely at all the offered models I wanted to be able to have a full featured auto gen start including temperature activation and with control changes and board changes in the airs could have an automated dual setback heat/cool HVAC system.  Plus have a built in preset program for Lifeline agm's.  Plus the same transfer amp(60) as my old heart freedom 25 unit.
Plus we can be very hot weather users and wanted a unit that had a  strong internal cooling system plus could show the battery temp(with a BTMS), mosfet temp and the transformer temps on a remote panel. 

Lastly a made in USA unit.  Not Overseas. 

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4