Transfering between the inverter and the generator
I have a '97 class C motorhome. I've updated my electrical system as the budget allowed, doing most of the work myself. I spend most of my time off shore power. My power modes in order of frequency of use are:
1) battery power (I have almost no use for 120V power, so this is about 98% of the time)
2) whole house inverter (only used a couple of times a week to power external hard drives for backups, print, vacuum, and use my spin dryer for laundry)
3) on board generator (new addition, will be mostly used for charging and the odd treat of AC on a hot day)
4) shore power
My MH doesn't have a transfer switch. To use the genset, I plug my shore power cable into an outlet in the cable compartment. To use the inverter, I plug the shore power cable into a heavy duty 120V 15A extension cord that runs to my inverter and I turn off the breakers for the converter, fridge, AC, and microwave.
My generator didn't work until a few days ago and wasn't in the picture. So my default mode was shore power cable plugged into the inverter extension cord and excess breakers off. I'd turn the inverter on when I needed it so that it wouldn't draw down the batteries.
Now, the generator works and I'd like to use it during those grey stretches when the solar panels aren't enough. Running outside to unplug and replug the shore power cable when I have inside starters for the genset and inverter is going to get old. But I am especially concerned about flipping breakers regularly as I know they should not be used as on-off switches.
I'd like a manual device that can switch between my inverter and generator from inside the rig and also kill certain circuits when I pick the inverter. I don't like anything automatic and wouldn't want a transfer switch that automatically picks the best source of power for me (yup, I never switch my fridge to auto :) ).
I've looked at some wiring diagrams and think that my best bet involves a sub-panel from my main electrical panel, but all the diagrams I see use shore power as the default mode when it is a very rare occurrence for me.
So I'm looking for some wiring diagram and parts suggestions. I don't know yet if I'll do this work myself or hire out, depending on the technical nature of the work to be done.
Thank you for any insight,
Rae
1) battery power (I have almost no use for 120V power, so this is about 98% of the time)
2) whole house inverter (only used a couple of times a week to power external hard drives for backups, print, vacuum, and use my spin dryer for laundry)
3) on board generator (new addition, will be mostly used for charging and the odd treat of AC on a hot day)
4) shore power
My MH doesn't have a transfer switch. To use the genset, I plug my shore power cable into an outlet in the cable compartment. To use the inverter, I plug the shore power cable into a heavy duty 120V 15A extension cord that runs to my inverter and I turn off the breakers for the converter, fridge, AC, and microwave.
My generator didn't work until a few days ago and wasn't in the picture. So my default mode was shore power cable plugged into the inverter extension cord and excess breakers off. I'd turn the inverter on when I needed it so that it wouldn't draw down the batteries.
Now, the generator works and I'd like to use it during those grey stretches when the solar panels aren't enough. Running outside to unplug and replug the shore power cable when I have inside starters for the genset and inverter is going to get old. But I am especially concerned about flipping breakers regularly as I know they should not be used as on-off switches.
I'd like a manual device that can switch between my inverter and generator from inside the rig and also kill certain circuits when I pick the inverter. I don't like anything automatic and wouldn't want a transfer switch that automatically picks the best source of power for me (yup, I never switch my fridge to auto :) ).
I've looked at some wiring diagrams and think that my best bet involves a sub-panel from my main electrical panel, but all the diagrams I see use shore power as the default mode when it is a very rare occurrence for me.
So I'm looking for some wiring diagram and parts suggestions. I don't know yet if I'll do this work myself or hire out, depending on the technical nature of the work to be done.
Thank you for any insight,
Rae
