Transfer Switch Questions

[Yellermanx]

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 electric panel so the whole panel has to come out to get in it. On top of that it's riveted together.

Just want to know what I'm going to find when I do.

Couldn't find any info or pics on line.

Thanks

[j-d]

I'm fond of the plug-it-yourself option. Our first coach was like that. We have shore tie at home, so when I unplugged from that, I'd plug into the generator so it was available for the trip. Then do the "transfer" form generator to pedestal at the campsite.

This works well UNTIL there's a midnight thunderstorm with pouring rain and Shore Tie Power Failure. Get Power? Get Wet? Hmmm... and this has happened!

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Adding to the 'work load' after pressing slide and jack buttons and then having to unplug then re-plug? It'll never sell Pianotuna. Unless it can be done with a drone copter and Bluetooth. But then again too many stray frequencies may cause interference with the refrigerator beer tosser and campfire remote.

[pianotuna]

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.

[darsben1]

When Mine went bad I just mounted one on the floor near the CB panel and wired from there. The old abandoned one is still behind the panel

[Nomadac]

Just had our 50 Amp Transfer Switch replaced Monday at Onan in Elkhart, IN. Orignal unit was 14 years old and started to have problems. Our Progressive Industries Surge Protector is hard wired in our MH.

New Transfer switch was Lyghtpower recommended by Onan. Price for new switch was $257.00 and took 1 hr. to replace.

I have always been very confident with Onan and their knowledge and expertise in any thing electrical on my MH.

[Yellermanx]

Thanks for the replies.

The panel says "Xtreme Power Products" It also has a number 100055 on it but doesn't say that's the model number. When I search for it all I get is a heavy equipment place.

It's 30amp. I do believe it will come off the back of the panel but the whole thing is going to have to come out in order to drill the rivets. I can't get to the back well enough to get it apart while mounted.

I do feel better with the info you have given so far. I won't be able to take it apart until November.

[darsben1]

Hit it with a rubber hammer if you have the room. It may "fix" the problem. Either temporarily or for a long time

[DrewE]

Sometimes the transfer switches that appear to be integrated into the power center really just bolt on the back and are separately replaceable without too much difficulty.

As was mentioned, the exact construction does vary a bit with different models, particularly for 50A transfer switches, but in every case it will be based around one or more electromechanical contactors, possibly with some slight electronic control circuitry and often (in the case of multiple contactors) with mechanical interlocks to preclude the possibility of having more than one source active at any time. I don't think there are any purely solid state transfer switches around, at least not for RV use.

[enblethen]

What is make and model of your transfer switch?
Different models function differently and vary on number of relays.
There is a recall on some Iota 50 amp transfer switches.

[Joe417]

On our 30 amp it's just a double pole single throw relay with a time delay. Normally closed side is tied to shore power. Relay is activated when I crank the generator.

I will assume the 50 amp has 3 poles.

I replace ours this past spring. Relay was still working but had intermittent power when I wiggled the wire bundle. Found the wires to the relay had gotten hot and melting the wire nuts, burned the wire open, and burned an inch or so of insulation. Relay contacts were oxidized a bit so I decided to replace it.

Not sure when it happened as we didn't smell anything and everything worked fine until I moved the wire bundle during a solar installation. I think that during a previous electrical repair, the wire nuts were left slightly loose or the wires weren't clean and caused a high resistance.

[lanerd]

There are two large electro/mechanical relays that have a printed circuit control board. The two relays are interchangeable/replaceable.