Automatic Switch for generator and shore power

[luvrbus]

Because the transfer switch in the inverter passes through electricity that is coming in on the input side of the inverter, without regards to the origin.  If the electricity stops (or is not there) it transfers the inverters output to the "inverter made" electricity and disconnects the dead input.

The external transfer switch, which most folks wire in ahead of the inverter, will look at it's input lines (which are usually shore power/mains and generator) to see which one has electricity on it.  It will automatically switch to the source with electricity.  If both have electricity (if you were plugged in and had the generator running) they usually default to the generator.  The output side of this switch is usually wired to your breaker box.  Many installtions then have a sub panel off the main panel that they wire their inverter to.  Hope this made sense. 


Our factory MH is wired in the same matter it has worked good with no problems 

[oltrunt]

I am in favor of the KISS principle.  Therefore I manually change the feed plug to whichever power source I want to use.  I suppose one could put together a combination of the automated switch and the KISS plug system that would solve the problem of dead or missing batteries by allowing direct hook up to alternate external power sources by bypassing the automated system completely.  Jack  (the other one)

[blue_goose]

Wire it all through the inverters.  If you are plugged in you have shore power, if you start the generator you have generator power.  If now power the inverters power up the system.  You can still have auto start from the inverters.
It is all built in, can't get much more KISS than that.  takes the thinking out of the system.
Jack

[Dave5Cs]

If we are going to be on a pole for awhile and don't really need the inverter in there. I put twist lock plugs on in coming and out going wires to and from the inverter. So I just unplug them and plug in the 2 lines together and bypass the inverter and turn it off. If the batteries need charging I can just plug it back in. Even though it passes through the inverter also.
Dave5Cs

[scanzel]

I picked up a Krause Naimer 150 amp rotary switch and had it modified for shore pwr/gen pwr/inverter pwr/off feeding a 50 amp Square D QO breaker panel. I just switch to what ever power I need. All my electrical in in the bedroom in a large recessed wall cabinet so I can make changes without going outside. Once generator is installed I will have all controls for that available too. A manual process but how many times do you really need to make changes.