For the future... auto transfer switch (no genny)

[djgodden]

Howdy folks,
Hope everyone is having a great beginning to 2016. Sometime this year I'm going to add an auto transfer switch to my Montana. I don't run a generator, only shore power and battery (solar).

Is there a wiring diagram out there showing how an auto transfer switch would be wired for shore power and inverter? Simply put, I want the Montana to automatically shift to battery when I disconnect shore power (and vice versa). The inverter would have to be manually powered on/off I suppose.

Oh, if the diagram doesn't show it, does the convertor need to be disabled? Breaker switch or completely disconnected? A word of advice is appreciated there.

Feel free to tell me if I'm not thinking of or overlooking something.

Thanks!

[pianotuna]

Or you could add a switch before the converter and move the supply feed for the fridge to the same outlet. Miles cheaper to do.

The problem with automatic transfer switches is that they are often used under load and then there is arcing. Arc enough times and the contacts burn.

Yes, I know it takes many cycles before this may happen--but I can't really see the advantage of putting a known failure point into my RV.

[johndeerefarmer]

[time2roll]

The transfer switch will come with a diagram.
Yes if you power the whole panel the converter and some other items should be off to prevent overload or rapid depletion of the battery. Go Power makes a transfer switch that breaks out the converter.

What do you really want to stay powered up and available to run?

[VintageRacer]

Since that is exactly what an ATS is designed to do, wiring it is very straightforward and the instructions and diagram come with the switch. Any ATS will switch both power and neutral to the source that is in use. They have a priority source and a secondary source, and select the primary as default. If there is no power on the primary AND there is power on the secondary, it switches. If power comes back on the primary, it switches back.

It's far easier and cleaner to do this with an inverter (I have the Magnum 4024) that has a built in charger and transfer switch. You can do it with any combination of converter, inverter and switch, though. You will feed your normal power distribution panel with the output of the transfer switch but you will need to install a separate outlet or connection directly from the shore power input to the converter, so that it can only be powered from shore power.

Brian