Forum Discussion

Belgique's avatar
Belgique
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014

Inverter - Auto Transfer

The Xantrex XS-400 you folks helped me install back in '08 may be dead. (Any ideas on who can fix them or would it cost more than it is worth?)

The XS-400 is hard wired and I love the auto transfer since it keeps the DirecTV box from re-booting. The circuit fed by the XS-400 just has light loads, e.g., the TV and lap tops.

I see in searches here that Xantrex sells an in-line transfer switch. If I were to buy an inverter that doesn't have the auto transfer function built in, could this external switch be used in my hard wired setup? I can't tell from the literature. And to confirm...this is an auto switch?

Thanks in advance.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jan 15, 2014
    Michelle.S wrote:
    How about a small UPS for the DirecTV Rcvr?? Been thinking of going that route ourselves as the DRV takes close to 10 minutes to reboot and rebuild it's program list.
    Interesting thought. But I also use the TV/receiver on batteries. So it would have to be a rather large UPS or plug it into my main inverter which runs off of the batteries.

    I'm still thinking a dedicated inverter for the TV/receiver...
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2014
    CA Traveler wrote:
    My Magnum uses relays to transfer and the DTV receiver reboots. I'm considering adding a small inverter for just the receiver and TV to eliminate that problem. ie They would always be running on the battery but when I have AC the charger will maintain the battery.


    I had the same problem, and that's exactly what I did, 400 watt inv powers the whole intertainment center, and an outside receptical in a basement comp. No more ATS's for me,.......they can be a real PITA !
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 14, 2014
    Hi,

    My vote would go to a quality sine wave inverter running the entertainment system 24/7 using double conversion. That saves the cost of the transfer switch, and when on shore power the inverter won't make a lot of difference to the battery charging (slows it down a bit).

    Go Power, Samlex, and Morningstar all make a quality psw that you could use. I give a tiny advantage to the Morningstar as it has no cooling fan and so is 100% silent in its operation.

    Mornighstar 300 watt
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2014
    Belgique wrote:
    (dedicated inverter) What a great idea! It is the only thing that "needs" to be kept alive.
    Either that, or get a bigger inverter and run your coach on that all the time.. with the exception being the air con.
  • Belgique's avatar
    Belgique
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2014
    Michelle.S wrote:
    How about a small UPS for the DirecTV Rcvr?? Been thinking of going that route ourselves as the DRV takes close to 10 minutes to reboot and rebuild it's program list.

    :S What a great idea! It is the only thing that "needs" to be kept alive.
  • Michelle_S's avatar
    Michelle_S
    Explorer III
    Jan 14, 2014
    How about a small UPS for the DirecTV Rcvr?? Been thinking of going that route ourselves as the DRV takes close to 10 minutes to reboot and rebuild it's program list.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jan 14, 2014
    If spending money today I would get the GoPower 300w sine wave inverter and that Xantrex ATS.
    Easiest would be to replace XS-400 with same.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jan 14, 2014
    My Magnum uses relays to transfer and the DTV receiver reboots. I'm considering adding a small inverter for just the receiver and TV to eliminate that problem. ie They would always be running on the battery but when I have AC the charger will maintain the battery.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 14, 2014
    Hi,

    Yes, it is an external autotransfer switch rated to 15 amps. 15 amp auto transfer

    Whether such a switch will "hold" the memory in your devices depends on the speed at which it switches over.

    The inverter you have is likely a throw away at this point, unless you can find a local repair shop that will "take it on".

    For light loads I'd suggest looking at the Morningstar 300 watt inverter. It is expensive but appears to be bullet proof.

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