Automatic Transfer Switch

1L243 wrote:
My bad I missed the small paragraph in the not so comprehensive instructions that said.

"When the shore power is applied the relay is at rest and the power is to the panel.

When the Generator (Or Inverter in my case) is applied there is a 20-45 second delay and then the relay activates transferring Generator power to the panel.

If shore power returns while the Gen power is present nothing will happen. Then the Gen power is removed the relay will drop out and allow the shore power side to supply power.

Generator overrides shore power"

With this in mind and I am substituting the Inverter for the Generator The Inverter would have priority if both were connected at the same time.

Although not covered in he installation instructions I have read that when using an Inverter with the ATS the Charge Controller will need to be disconnected from the 15 amp circuit breaker in the control panel and wired directly to the ATS using a 15 amp fuse on the Panel side to prevent a feed back loop. The charger will only work when shore power has priority.

So, If I want the batteries to charge when connected to shore power the inverter must be turned off?


Typically I would just plug the shore power into the Inverter once we reached our dry camping destination.

The main reason I have decided to go with a ATS is that I want to run my refrigerator on AC when towing instead of Propane. I have towed while running the refrigerator on propane for years BUT I got the Inverter the batteries and the solar so why not run on AC? It will eliminate that, should you or should you not have refrigerator run on propane question when towing.

Any thoughts?

Ill go out and test mine, as what you want is how mine is set up, but I believe the shore power has the priority as there is no need for the inverter if you have shore power and when we are boondocking I only turn on my inverter when I am actualy using it. mine I can put the inverter switch in off/on/remote so I set it in remote and use the inside panel to turn it on or off, that way it is not consuming power when I don't need it. yes the converter is also into the transfer switch so it doesnt use battery power to try charge the batteries...

I have solar also, but would never think of running the fridge on AC while travaling as it takes a larger amount of power and that is compounded with the inefficencies of the inverter. my solar would probably make it so I was still at 100% during the trip but my thought is the fridge, stove, BBQ and furnce lasts me weeks on propane why waist battery capability on that. plus I do a lot of camping in the off season so if I was using the inverter and I am travleing during a rainy day or two I may be showing up with a lower battery capacity when I need to run the furnace and such.

so my use is I wake up hit the inverter button and turn on the coffee pot. whent he coffee is brewed I turn it off. same deal if we need the microwave for somthing, I guess I just use it so I can use some of the more convenient apliances while camping.. well some times I bring the Margaretavill camping also ;)