Automatic Transfer Switch

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Circuit breakers with mechanical interlock.......only one source breaker can be closed at a time

Have to say Old Biscuit is genius. Looks just like mine. My box is Square D and the interlocking device is Siemens. Took a chance that I could adapt it when I ordered it . It worked with a very small modification consisting of trimming a tab slightly.

Bumpyroad wrote:
my first motorhome had a fail proof transfer switch. plugged 30 amp cord into gen set and could run generator on the move. in a campground, just unplugged cord from gen set and ran to campground post. cheap,easy,foolproof, best of both worlds.
only problem is if the campground electricity would go off in the middle of the night/rainstorm, one would have to go out and plug it into gen set. never happened to me.
bumpy

That's the way mine worked, until it didn't.

The circuit breaker will not work in an RV. Shore power must have the neutral and ground separated. The circuit breaker style does not switch the neutral.

Mine works fine. 30 amps up front and 50 amps in the rear. The 30 amp breaker has a jumper that makes all circuits common.

I use 100-ampere rated mercury filled relays. Arc proof, shock proof, corrosion proof. Can switch an active 100 amp full-bore load on or off hundreds of times with no problems.

Posted By: enblethen on 12/19/14 09:39am

Transfer switches should last many years.
Loose terminations can cause early failures.
Another source of failures is the switching of heavy loads like 120 volt water heater elements, AC units, clothes dryers and electric heaters. These items should be shut off prior to switching loads, connecting to/from shore power.

Remember you are bouncing a vehicle down a bumpy road things get loose and come apart - If it's Tuesday the water heater will not work, Wednesday the frig, etc.. A little maintenance goes a longs ways. Quality transfer relays can easily last 10 or more years

The circuit breaker will not work in an RV. Shore power must have the neutral and ground separated. The circuit breaker style does not switch the neutral.

Circuit breakers with mechanical interlock.......only one source breaker can be closed at a time

Bobbo wrote:
My recommendation:

Take the wire from the generator and connect it to an outlet in a box. Hook the power cord directly to the wire going to the breaker box. When you need power from the generator, plug the power cord into the outlet that is powered by the generator.

The only failure is forgetting to plug into the generator.

yep, that is basically how my motorhome was set up. no "switches" and potentially failing electrical devices involved.
bumpy

My recommendation:

Take the wire from the generator and connect it to an outlet in a box. Hook the power cord directly to the wire going to the breaker box. When you need power from the generator, plug the power cord into the outlet that is powered by the generator.

The only failure is forgetting to plug into the generator.

Transfer switches should last many years.
Loose terminations can cause early failures.
Another source of failures is the switching of heavy loads like 120 volt water heater elements, AC units, clothes dryers and electric heaters. These items should be shut off prior to switching loads, connecting to/from shore power.

Thanks all for your reply's. It sounds like a common problems with a few brands. It looks like I can get the PD-52V for $140.00, but I'm wondering how long it will last.
Mikestock and Old Biscuit do you have any links to the mechanical breakers that you use, I do a lot better with pictures. I remember on some boats that use a manual breaker that you slide a bar and could choose either shore power or generator, I'm wondering if that is what your using.
Thanks again,
Dennis