Forum Discussion

4x4ord's avatar
4x4ord
Explorer III
Mar 22, 2020

Installing an automatic transfer switch

I'm installing a transfer switch in my 5ver. The transfer switch has three sets of labelled terminals: Control; Power Cord; Generator.
It would be simple enough to just follow the labels but I want to hook the power cord to the transfer switch's Generator terminals as well as to "power in" on my inverter charger; hook my "inverter out" to the transfer switch's Power Cord terminals. Then Control will obviously go to the RV's breaker panel.

I guess it would work to follow the labels, but if I wire it as I am suggesting there would be no draw on my batteries to operate the transfer switch while running off inverter power. Is there any reason to wire it according to the labels?
  • Flute_Man's avatar
    Flute_Man
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2020
    My inverter contains it’s own transfer switch to operate the coach when the pedestal cannot supply power. That being so, My power cord and the generator are wired just like the transfer switch instructions that you have.

    You may call me if you wish.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Mar 22, 2020
    No don't jump it over to both. Cord to Cord, Gen to Gen. Control(output) to the inverter charger input.
    Inverter/charger output to the main panel or circuit you want powered.

    Seems easy as long as all is 30 amps or all is 50 amps. A bit more complex if it is 30/50 mixed.
  • 4x4ord's avatar
    4x4ord
    Explorer III
    Mar 22, 2020
    time2roll wrote:
    No don't jump it over to both. Cord to Cord, Gen to Gen. Control(output) to the inverter charger input.
    Inverter/charger output to the main panel or circuit you want powered.

    Seems easy as long as all is 30 amps or all is 50 amps. A bit more complex if it is 30/50 mixed.


    My inverter charger is only 30 amps so I don't want to run shore power through the inverter charger's internal transfer switch.
  • Housted's avatar
    Housted
    Explorer III
    Mar 22, 2020
    I plug my shore cord into the inverter and thus the xfer switch functions normally....cord/generator/coach.
    Has worked for years.:)

    Housted
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Mar 22, 2020
    4x4ord wrote:
    My inverter charger is only 30 amps so I don't want to run shore power through the inverter charger's internal transfer switch.
    What inverter/charger do you have?

    Not sure you can use the charging function and block power from passing through.
  • 4x4ord's avatar
    4x4ord
    Explorer III
    Mar 22, 2020
    I have a XantRex Freedom 458. If I wire as I explained in my first post I'm quite sure it would work just fine. The Xantrex input would be powered up from shore power through the parallel connection at the transfer switch. The inverter ac output would come into the transfer switch Power Cord input. Shore power, being connected to "Generator in" at the transfer switch should open the "Power Cord" circuit. There may be something I'm overlooking but I'm confident enough to give it a try unless someone can explain why it won't work.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Mar 22, 2020
    Yes that should work. I misread you had a generator in the mix. If the TS has a time delay you will pass power through the 458 until the TS activates. Some allow delay function to be disabled.

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