Automatic Switch for generator and shore power

[luvrbus]

What switch are most using the relay type or mechanical contact,surge protection or not ? I am leaning towards the Technology Research 40100 good or bad feed back  

thanks    

[bevans6]

I have automatic relay type, I guess.  switches live and neutral, has a priority input and a secondary input.  I put priority on the shore power.

Brian

[luvrbus]

I was looking for a Todd but I guess they stop making those, they been around since the 60's and never gave any problems

[eagle19952]

I was looking for a Todd but I guess the stop making those they, been around since the 60's and never gave any problems

there is a marine outfit that still deals in Todd designs... i am told.

[Geoff]

The Todd is generator dominant.  So if you start your generator while hooked up to shore power do you fry the electrical system?  I made my own system that is shore power dominant.  I have screwed up and started my generator while hooked up to shore power and it won't let the generator into the 120v shore power system which would destroy everything.

--Geoff

[Boomer]

Geoff brings up a good point.  I have an Iota and I never ever start the gen while on shore and vice versa.  Just in case.  Supposed to be protected but .........

[eagle19952]

The Todd is generator dominant.  So if you start your generator while hooked up to shore power do you fry the electrical system?  I made my own system that is shore power dominant.  I have screwed up and started my generator while hooked up to shore power and it won't let the generator into the 120v shore power system which would destroy everything.

--Geoff

uhm...wouldn't it depend on how it's wired ?

[sixtyseven]

From what I read, the Technology Research 40100 is also generator dominant (generator has priority).   That sounds backwards to me.  Why would you want to run your generator when you already have shore power?   Your generator is for when you don't have shore power available.     Maybe I'm just backwards    I made my own automatic transfer switch, it has 50 amp priority, then 30 amp, then the gen., then inverter (inverter switches itself).  It seams to work good that way.   Ok...let the bashing begin.       
Mark,   I was brave enough (er....I mean foolish enough) to plug in both cords and fire up the gen at once, just to test it....worked good

[Dave5Cs]

If you have a good transfere switch mine takes care of it. I don't want an automatic genny start though. When if your generator starts and there is problems with the genny like overheating or leaky fuel line etc.
Dave5Cs

[sledhead]

how dumb is this ..... I have a automatic transfer switch and the inverter also has one built into it on the new coach

my old coach only has the inverter (Magnum Energy MSH4024RE Inverter/Charger ) which has a good built in transfer switch so with todays inverters why do you need a separate switch ?
dave   

[blue_goose]

Dave is correct, if you have 2 inverters both will work together and you always have 220volts without any effort on your part.  If you use the changover switch they are wired so you can't have gen and outside power at the same time.  Before the generator relay comes in the outside power relay drops out. 
Jack

[luvrbus]

Ok I have 2 Trace stacked sine inverters with a manual change over, here is the problem when the batteries are dead or removed like now I have no power when plugged in or even with the manual change over on the generator side and running.
I guess I could run the change over through the inverters they have the feature but all the gurus I talk to says this (the above) is not a uncommon hook up in fact some like it (I don't).
In all they all telling me to use a automatic change over wire it to make the shore power dominant bypassing the inverters and use the remote for inverters when needed right now the inverters are the dominant party   and I don't want that    

[TomC]

I'm of the KISS theory. I have a separate circuit breaker box that is wired through the inverter that has its own automatic transfer switch. For shore/generator, I have a four 50amp circuit breaker box-two for shore power and two for generator with a sliding plate between the two that cannot allow shore or generator to be operated at the same time. Since my bus is wired straight 120vac, I only use one leg of the 50 amp shore power. I have both circuit breakers wired just in case one leg gives out but the other leg is still live. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

 I am going to keep my auto start my EPS generator is well protected solo with it's Smart Start feature.I think Dick Wright,Tim Wice along with my backup if needed Tom Caffey have me headed in the right direction if I can just understand what they are telling me   Tim draws me pictures which is good 

[LuckyChow]

how dumb is this ..... I have a automatic transfer switch and the inverter also has one built into it on the new coach

my old coach only has the inverter (Magnum Energy MSH4024RE Inverter/Charger ) which has a good built in transfer switch so with todays inverters why do you need a separate switch ?
dave   

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.