Automatic shore power/generator transfer relay's, what is everyone using?

[scanzel]

What is everyone using to transfer from shore power to generator to inverter power? I see many of these on ebay, Iota, Lyght etc. Are they a good way to go or just another spot for failure?

[TomCat]

I use an Iota TS50R.

Zero problems in 4 years, and cheap to buy.

HTH

Jay
87 SaftLiner

[Lin]

I switch from shore to generator manually by moving a plug from one receptacle to the other.  An Iota transfer switch switches the system to the inverter.

[viento1]

There are usually 2 transfer switches. The first one selects incoming power from Shore/Generator. the second one selects between the first one and the Inverter. - Many Inverters have this one built in - but not always.

I really enjoyed playing with this stuff so if I have some sort of failure along the way, I could sort it out. Some folks opt for the manual plug - certainly wont leave you stranded that way.

Oh ya, I have the IOTA 50amp as it was the same price at the time as the 30Amp. I have used some local no name brand too - pretty basic design really.

Make room for future additions like an autoformers and a surge protectors etc etc etc.

How far along are you with the design?

[scanzel]

Viento1. I am just getting started on my power and I am trying to decide if the transfer switch is justifiable, I am using a Magnum 4024 inverter and have 8 ,100ah AGM batteries and a 9kw Kohler rv generator, 2 roof top Penguin 13,500 air/heat pumps and a 20 cu ft house style refrig, the stove is all gas, and some sort of microwave to be determined. I see quite a few on ebay for sale and was wondering what everyone was using.

[gus]

I switch from shore to generator manually just like Lin, keep it simple and reliable.

Inverters I know nothing about except that they sure waste power.

[TomC]

Both generator and land line first come into a 4 breaker box-2 breakers for shore, 2 breakers for generator strapped together so both generator lines have to be thrown at the same time.  I then have a sheet metal blocker that slides between the 2 sets of breakers allowing only one to be used at a time (no way to turn on both shore power and generator at the same time).  This power then goes to my main box for general use.  One of the breakers in this box is a 30 amp circuit going to my 2500 watt inverter.  This power goes through the inverter (the inverter chooses whether it has power to pass through or to create its' own power) to another breaker box for my inverter powered stuff.  All three boxes are Square D bought from Home Depot-so to be able to get breakers anywhere if one quite (so far only one has).  Simple, yet effective.  Good Luck, TomC

[busguy01]

Check with ronthebusnut. Has just what you need.
JimH

[gumpy]

I built my own. It switches the leads from either shore or genset, performs neutral-ground bonding/breaking, and splits the hot line to both poles of the breaker box when on inverter or 120v shore power.

Works great. Had a couple of the relays go bad on me last year, but I think I caused it. Haven't had a problem since.

I use a Trace SW4024 inverter and 8 Trojan T-105 batteries.

I'm currently boondocking in AL at a friends place. They are living in a camper inside their shop, with no municipal power. I've plugged them into my inverter and I'm basically powering both my bus and their camper. I have to run the generator twice a day, but it's simply a matter of starting it up and letting it run till it shuts off. The transfer switch passes it through to the inverter. The inverter allows the generator to warm up before switching it through. When the inverter switches to float, the generator shuts off.

Working well for me.

The manual plug is the most foolproof method, though.