Transfer switch

artvonne · July 20, 2011, 04:26:38 AM

Curious what some would advise for a manual 50 amp transfer switch. Could one panel do everything, or best to run two dedicated panels? I'm thinking dedicated manual TS into a simple breaker panel.

bevans6 · July 20, 2011, 05:23:28 AM

My Nova Scotia house has a manual transfer switch panel kind of like this:

http://www.generatorjoe.net/zTTVSeries.html

In my case it's set up as a pony panel, fed from the main panel and the generator, and all of the loads that are protected by the generator are run from breakers in the pony panel. It uses interlocked breakers, so you can get them in any common load rating. I think mine is 50 amp.

Brian

oldmansax · July 20, 2011, 05:32:36 AM

I made my transfer switch from two, continuous duty, 100 amp, 3 pole contactors, with 120 volt coils. One contactor for the shore power, one for the generator. They are controlled by one double pole, double throw, toggle switch. One set of poles controls the shore contactor in the "down" on position, the other set of poles controls the generator contactor in the "up" on position. One terminal on each set of poles is not used. The control voltage for each set is fed from the controlled feed, meaning the shore power contactor coil voltage comes from shore power & the generator contactor coil voltage comes from the generator. Some of the benefits of this setup are the contactors can be placed anywhere in the cable(s) so that you don't have to run extra lengths of wire to get to the transfer switch. Also, the shore contactor can be installed at the shore power feed & the generator contactor can be placed at the generator. If you lose power, the affected contactor will automatically drop out. You can also put a delay-on-break relay in the control circuits to stop the contactors from "hammering" if your power source is having problems, like shore power in a campground during a storm, for example.

I have used mine for about 5 years with not problems.

TOM

artvonne · July 21, 2011, 06:01:16 PM

I was thinking of something off the shelf, but am interested in what you created. Can show some pics and describe it better??

luvrbus · July 21, 2011, 06:24:48 PM

Paul, can you build a 50 amp automatic transfer switch for 50 bucks I see those from time to time for under 50 bucks I don't think I would worry with it for 50 bucks JMO

good luck

Jriddle · July 21, 2011, 06:57:46 PM

You can do it many ways. What are the goals of your system? What will be switched? (shore generator and Inverter?) What will the loads be? How automatic does it have to be? HOW SAFE will you want it? How fool proof? I built this with help from Sean's website and some communication with him. I will not tell you it is easy for a nonelectrician nor was it cheap but it fills all my needs and more. http://www.ourodyssey.us/bus-e-ats.html

John

luvrbus · July 21, 2011, 07:07:10 PM

All the manual switch over I see on these buses are plugging and unplugging a cord from the source works for them I guess

good luck

oldmansax · July 21, 2011, 07:53:50 PM

Quote from: artvonne on July 21, 2011, 06:01:16 PM
I was thinking of something off the shelf, but am interested in what you created. Can show some pics and describe it better??

I don't have any pics because the bus isn't here & the contactors are all covered up anyway.

I am posting a PDF of the schematic. It's pretty pitiful but you should be able to decipher it. Sorry about the mistake!

The contactors are available at any electrical supply house, along with the switch. I put my control switch beside the remote generator controls. The two contactors do not have to be together, as I said. You can put one near your shore power plug & the other near the generator. Or, mount them both near the breaker panel.

DON'T MAKE FUN OF MY DRAWING!!!!! You will hurt my feelings!

TOM

artvonne · July 22, 2011, 01:49:39 AM

Lots of options thats for sure. Clifford, my first RV from 100 years ago had the plug thing. Certainly worked but seemed hokey.

Tom, you draw like me, lol

I was looking at one of these manual switches from Reliant, something like this;

http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-TCA1006D-Generator-15000-Watt-Generators/dp/B000HRWGPS

oldmansax · July 22, 2011, 04:44:44 AM

Quote from: artvonne on July 22, 2011, 01:49:39 AM
Tom, you draw like me, lol

I draw REALLY GOOD stick people too!!!

I do like the setup I have because the parts are easy to obtain, although I have never had to replace anything since I built it. I carry one spare contactor. You could buy contactors that have a replaceable coils if you wanted to. The 100 amp contactors are way over sized so I don't see premature failures.

TOM