IOTA-100R Automatic Transfer Switch

[Mark Scott]

I'd like your opinion on the use of this automatic transfer switch. I have installed (2) Xantrex SW series 4000 watt inverters that I purchased from the Generator Man. I also bought the transfer switch at his insistence that the Xantrex switch system (it is a programable feature of the SW series) will eventually destroy the starter in my generator. In my haste to start using the bus and the generator and the inverters, I never got around to installing the transfer switch. I have not experienced any problems with using the programable feature in the inverters. Am I flirting with disaster here? The transfer switch was expensive, and I am starting to think that I may have bought something that I didn't really need. The cost of a starter in the 20kw generator isn't cheap either. Thanks for your inputs. Mark

[Ncbob]

The only reason, from a generator standpoint, that I can see for your guy's opinion about the starter is that the transfer switch would have a starter disconnect function that might not be present in the Inverter start command module.

Since you already own the transfer switch that shouldn't be a problem. If you wish to use the bus for a period without the T/S it shouldn't be much work to temporarily defeat the generator start command feature of the Inverters. That way you would have manual control over the generator start and no starter problems.

It'll be interesting to see the result.

Bob

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Mark,

Either way you choose will work if it works for you.

IOTA tell you that the more hi-tech stuff you have, the more you will forget how to use them later on....

I have alot of bells and whistles in my coach and is's a job to remember how to program things 3 years down the road!

Good Luck
Nick-

[TomC]

If you have the mechanical knowledge to do a bus conversion, you don't need the mindless auto transfer switch.  Just another thing to go wrong-I just believe in simplicity.  I have a four circuit breaker box with a slider that only allows either land line or generator at a time.  It has been 100% reliable over the past 13 years of use.  If one of my circuit breakers does go south, I can go to Home Depot, or any other store that carries the square D circuit breakers and be on my way.  What do you do if the relays in the auto transfer box goes south? You go without electricity for a long time until you can locate a new one, or a new relay switch.  Keep it simple.  Good Luck, TomC