| Author | Message | ||
| John Wardell
Rating: N/A |
I've got a special application question. I need a switch that will handle (2) 30 amp power lines in, (1) genset power line in and (1) power line out to the main service panel. Does anyone have a source for some thing like this? I did find one on westmarine.com for $409. That seamed a bit excessive to me, but, do I know. Thanks, John | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Rating: N/A |
I bought a 3 pole double throw (transfer switch)switch rated for 60 amps per leg at www.surpluscenter.com for $60 plus shipping and I bought a 200 amp transfer switch (manual) on eBay for $135, plus shipping. The trouble with The Surplus Center is he gets things in lots, and when he is out, he is out. Ed. | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A |
Wrico sells that, I think IOTA makes it. Dick Wright 541-744-4333 | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Rating: N/A |
One low-cost, simple and foolproof approach (requires going outside and making the connection) to switching from shore to generator power is to wire the generator to an output receptacle that will mate with the shore line connector. The shore line is then plugged into the campground power outlet when parked and when the generator is needed (boondocking or on the road) the shore line is plugged into the generator output receptacle. FWIW Dave Dulmage | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Rating: N/A |
Exactly what I did, Dave. My rationale was if I gotta throw a switch, I might as well just plug something in. Cost me less than ten bucks for the recept. and handy box...  | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Rating: N/A |
Brian, why do you have your shore power plugged into your generator? Ed | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Ed- With a stub coming from the panel, all you do to change sources of power, is plug it into the appropriate outlet. One for the genset, one for the inverter, and one for the shore line (or just plug the stub into an extension cord), to reach your power pole. It's easy, very inexpensive, and foolproof (so I can't use it). | ||
| Jeff (Jeff)
Rating: N/A |
I have a shore cable that is a 50 amp male at both ends. When on shore power, I plug the bus end first then the RV park end. That way I do not have a live cable sitting out for someone to pick up. When on generator, I have a 50 amp plug coming off it. Plug in the generator line. Fire up the Onan 7.5 and then flip the main breakers on the bus after the generator speeds up. Only thing..... I get the last of the mechanical done to the bus this week and run the fuel line. Then go find me a BIG paint booth. Jeff "Take Another Road" Member 4:10 Club Rustless not Busless in Buckroe 1988 TMC RTS-06 6V92-TA DDEC IV/V731 | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Ugh. Even a remote chance of a live end, scares the hell out of me. If that ever fell out of the receptacle, yeee-gads. | ||
| Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A |
I am not a “follow the code” freak but just having a double male 50 amp cable scares me. What if a kid or a neighbor or a spouse . . . | ||
| Donald19952 Rating: N/A |
What if a kid or a neighbor or a spouse . . . I think thats called negligient homicide.... | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Rating: N/A |
Ed- My "shore cable" is technically just a looong stub coming out of my breaker box. It's only a "shore cable" when connected to the shore recept. In the pic above it's a "genny cable" I guess. I stow the mongo cord in a heavy duty milk basket right under the genny plug. It's a tried and true, foolproof way to wire up a simple electrical service. I could have added a recept. for the shore cord to hard wire into and used a little stubby cord out of the panel, but it seemed redundant. For my frugality, I guess I lose about two volts of genny output at max. amps over what a stubby cord would give from the genset. No biggie. If I only have 30A service available at a CG, I stick the dogbone on the plug and only stretch 30A extentions out of the bay. Works for me... Jeff- Yeah, the male plugs in your rig might kill somebody, maybe you or somebody you care about. I don't understand why you don't make standard receptacle connections for any live loads. It can be as simple as mine shown above, or add any number of receptacles at less then $10 each. Yours seems backwards. And scary... bb |