Transfer Switch Questions
My transfer switch stopped working. What's inside an automatic transfer switch? Mechanical/electric such as solenoid and contacts or is it electronic? Switch is integrated into back of main ele...
Forum Discussion
Hi time2roll,
I believe that was the item that started the failure inside my Magnum where the unit caught on fire. That and their design decision to use 120 volt fans--so if you shut down the inverter all cooling stops. If they had chosen a 12 volt fan......
I know the OEM charging path from the alternator to the house batteries was fused at 60 amps. The OEM relay did not last a year, and I had 3 fuses blow. The relay worked just fine but the contacts were burned so no power got through. I upgraded by adding a 2nd #8 path and two 200 amp relays that are protected by 50 amp automatic circuit breakers. Not a hint of a problem since then.
RV makers use the bottom of the barrel approach to parts using the bare minimum. By all means use a transfer switch--but get one that is 4 to 6 times the rated capacity of the circuit.
I should have said "welded contacts" rather than "burned contacts" in my original post.
I believe that was the item that started the failure inside my Magnum where the unit caught on fire. That and their design decision to use 120 volt fans--so if you shut down the inverter all cooling stops. If they had chosen a 12 volt fan......
I know the OEM charging path from the alternator to the house batteries was fused at 60 amps. The OEM relay did not last a year, and I had 3 fuses blow. The relay worked just fine but the contacts were burned so no power got through. I upgraded by adding a 2nd #8 path and two 200 amp relays that are protected by 50 amp automatic circuit breakers. Not a hint of a problem since then.
RV makers use the bottom of the barrel approach to parts using the bare minimum. By all means use a transfer switch--but get one that is 4 to 6 times the rated capacity of the circuit.
I should have said "welded contacts" rather than "burned contacts" in my original post.
time2roll wrote:pianotuna wrote:I seem to read more posts of a loose connection or failed control module. Not so much actual burned contacts.
I prefer to do manual switching. After all, you are supposed to turn off everything before you cause the transfer switch to cycle. Not doing so, sooner or later leads to burn contacts and failure.
But then I do read about burned out plugs and connectors.
Even if switched 3x a day it is only 1,000 cycles a year. Are the relay contacts really rated that low?
