Automatic generator changeover switch

Jeremy · March 23, 2018, 03:23:16 AM

There's a really interesting Youtube video here where a generic automatic generator changeover switch bought on Ebay is stripped-down and examined, and the way it works is analysed and explained. It's moderately technical in nature but can be followed easily-enough by that layman, and perhaps will be very useful for anyone trying to figure-out how to arrange the shore-power and generator wiring in their buses.

I watch this particular Youtuber's channel quite frequently because he does a lot of videos that explain how various modern devices work, and also he frequently 'exposes' fake and/or dangerous stuff bought from Ebay and Amazon sellers (not in this case though - in this case he's very impressed by the design of the product). Although he's based in the UK and therefore using UK electrical devices most of the time I think in the case of this generator transfer switch I think it's equally applicable to US systems, and in fact he talks about US power supplies in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=babtv00R-Nc

Jeremy

Dave5Cs · March 23, 2018, 11:46:58 AM

Can't understand what he's saying lol

Utahclaimjumper · March 23, 2018, 02:09:13 PM

We call that an automatic transfer switch over here.>>>Dan

Stormcloud · March 23, 2018, 02:30:03 PM

Thanks, Jeremy. Good video.....and, fwiw, I knew exactly what you were referring to in your post.

Mark

Jeremy · March 23, 2018, 02:48:01 PM

Come to think of it I call them transfer switches too. I just cut-and-pasted the title of the video.

Jeremy

Oonrahnjay · March 23, 2018, 02:59:46 PM

Quote from: Jeremy on March 23, 2018, 02:48:01 PMCome to think of it I call them transfer switches too. I just cut-and-pasted the title of the video.
Jeremy

Although he's obviously Scottish, I think he's mentioned in a couple of other videos (I've been checking out his vids for a while -- some are more "entertainment" than others but the technical ones are very good) and I think that I heard him mention that he lives in Hong Kong now so he's more inclined to obtain/do videos on items more common in SE Asia. Nomenclature may be affected by this, too.

Dave5Cs · March 23, 2018, 03:59:23 PM

I was just messing with you Jeremy knowing you are from the UK and that guy had to be from Scottland as Bruce pointed out, lol. I was a pretty good video. My Transfer switch does Shore, Generator, Inverter plus the inverter has a By pass for electric to go through as well a 120 watt battery charger.

eagle19952 · March 23, 2018, 06:50:10 PM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on March 23, 2018, 03:59:23 PM
I was just messing with you Jeremy knowing you are from the UK and that guy had to be from Scottland as Bruce pointed out, lol. I was a pretty good video. My Transfer switch does Shore, Generator, Inverter plus the inverter has a By pass for electric to go through as well a 120 watt battery charger.

THAT WOULD BE 1 AMP...sorry to hear this, Magnum gypped you

Dave5Cs · March 23, 2018, 08:40:07 PM

opps typo 29 Amp

TomC · March 24, 2018, 08:03:17 AM

I'm of the KISS opinion. My transfer switch is two double 50amp circuit breakers-one for shore, one for generator with a sliding block panel to prevent both from being turned on at the same time. Granted you have to do the switch over. And also no automatic generator startup. But-the lowest possibility of failure. Good Luck, TomC

Iceni John · March 24, 2018, 06:09:46 PM

Like TomC, I also believe in KISS, especially when there's lots of agitated electrons waiting to make mischief. My Generator, Shore or Inverter each have a 30A receptacle that I can plug into, and my inverter's built-in charger can only be plugged only into the Generator's or Shore's receptacles because its cable is not long enough to reach the Inverter's receptacle. Now that's foolproof.

John

muldoonman · March 24, 2018, 07:25:15 PM

Having an issue with my Magnum 2512 pass through inverter kicking my gen set out and no ac power to panel and gonna try and figure a system to by pass inverter to panel. Also will buy a pure sine Magnum next week.

Dave5Cs · March 25, 2018, 09:54:46 PM

muldoonman
Look at the Magnum Hybrid 3312 Pure sine if you have 12 volt system.
We have 4024 for our 24 volt system hybrid and both are very nice and have their own bypass.

muldoonman · March 27, 2018, 05:38:41 AM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on March 25, 2018, 09:54:46 PM
muldoonman
Look at the Magnum Hybrid 3312 Pure sine if you have 12 volt system.
We have 4024 for our 24 volt system hybrid and both are very nice and have their own bypass.

Thanks Dave already had ordered a Magnum MS2812 2800W Pure Sine Inverter/Charger from Don Rowe. I don't do much dry camping (never) and don't need a big inverter/battery bank.

TomC · March 28, 2018, 07:55:58 AM

Magnum 2812 Pure Sine is a reliable unit.
Anyone using the 3012 Pure Sine Hybrid? Just curious how it works. Good Luck, TomC