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aabb48's avatar
aabb48
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015

Iota transfer switch

Hi
I have a 2010/11 Four Winds motor home, with an Iota ITS30R transfer switch. I have been told they where very troublesome and the company is out of business. The problem I am having is that the A/C will not run off the generator. It works fine off shorepower. The question is,
how do I know which switch to buy ? Is one brand better than another,
How difficult is it to replace the existing switch?
Thanks in advance
ART and SUE
Class C

9 Replies

  • thestoloffs's avatar
    thestoloffs
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    Sandia Man wrote:
    They may not be manufacturing transfer switches anymore but Iota Engineering is very actively in business producing a wide range of products including their highly respected RV smart charging converters.


    Sandia Man is right: they have dropped their transfer switch line, but they are expanding, not dropping their charger/convertor line of products.

    I just sent an email to their Tech Services group with a technical question about AGM batteries; while the "Technical Support" mailbox itself went unmonitored during the TS supervisor's vacation, an email directly to the other 2 TS technicians got a response within 2 hours! That's good (and typical) Iota service.
  • jcsb's avatar
    jcsb
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    not sure of the exact model but they recalled the 50 amp ones. I had a 30 amp stopped working after it started to melt. I had it replaced since I did not know at the time what the problem was, only that I had no 110 service. I found out about the recall and contacted Jayco. Word was that they took care of the 50 amp issues. They agreed to reimburse me for the new one put in.
  • dennislanier's avatar
    dennislanier
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    Bobbo wrote:
    I agree with the assertion that if the other 120v items are working on the generator, it isn't the transfer switch. The transfer switch is all or nothing.


    Exactly right. Try plugging in a space heater, or try your microwave and tv, etc with the generator on. If they are working then you know it is NOT the transfer switch. When my transfer switch died, nothing worked on generator OR shore power.

    If it is the transfer switch it is not all that hard to replace, depending on accessibility etc. I did mine, and I am NOT an electrical expert by any means.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    Apr 21, 2015
    I agree with the assertion that if the other 120v items are working on the generator, it isn't the transfer switch. The transfer switch is all or nothing.
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Apr 21, 2015
    They may not be manufacturing transfer switches anymore but Iota Engineering is very actively in business producing a wide range of products including their highly respected RV smart charging converters. Double-check generator and make sure to cycle both circuit breakers off and on.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    DrewE wrote:
    Do your other 120 VAC appliances work with the generator? It seems odd that just the air conditioner would not switch over on a 30A system—is there maybe a separate breaker (on the generator) for it, or a separate transfer switch, or something?

    Replacement of the transfer switch shouldn't be too terribly difficult; in concept it's basically a straightforward substitution. I'd guess the worst of the difficulties would be minor headaches like getting access, having wires that aren't the right length, discovering that the new transfer switch is 1/2" bigger or smaller than the old one or has knockouts in inconvenient spots, etc.


    Good answer.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Apr 21, 2015
    Do your other 120 VAC appliances work with the generator? It seems odd that just the air conditioner would not switch over on a 30A system—is there maybe a separate breaker (on the generator) for it, or a separate transfer switch, or something?

    Replacement of the transfer switch shouldn't be too terribly difficult; in concept it's basically a straightforward substitution. I'd guess the worst of the difficulties would be minor headaches like getting access, having wires that aren't the right length, discovering that the new transfer switch is 1/2" bigger or smaller than the old one or has knockouts in inconvenient spots, etc.
  • Dakzuki's avatar
    Dakzuki
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2015
    I put a Progressive Dynamics transfer switch in mine (it didn't have one from the factory). This will be it's fourth season. So far, no issues. I went with PD's reputation for making a very good power converter (which I also have).

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