Dumb question about transfer switch.

[dabrooks]

I have read several threads on this forum and another forum about transfer switch problems. Why is a transfer switch necessary ? My previous motorhome did not have one and it just seems that it is another system to worry about or replace. The 50amp cord was wired directly into the distribution panel. You either plugged into the 50amp pedestal or into the generator outlet. Am I missing something like a safety feature that it provides ?

[Dr4Film]

There are some really good transfer switches and some very bad ones. You just have to know which is which.

They installed the transfer switches to eliminate the need of having to remove the plug from the shore power pedestal and plugging it into the generator.

Simply a convenience.

You could remove it if you like and put in a junction box instead for the shore power cable connecting it directly to the coach power line. Then install another box for the end of the generator line that has a 50 amp receptacle.

If you want to purchase a really good transfer switch, look at the ESCO or Lyght Transfer switches.

Mine is going on 12 years old with no problems.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Scottybdivin]

Originally Posted by dabrooks

I have read several threads on this forum and another forum about transfer switch problems. Why is a transfer switch necessary ? My previous motorhome did not have one and it just seems that it is another system to worry about or replace. The 50amp cord was wired directly into the distribution panel. You either plugged into the 50amp pedestal or into the generator outlet. Am I missing something like a safety feature that it provides ?

It is a convenience item, that integrates your onboard generator into the system. You could get around it, but I couldn't imagine having a built-in generator without one. They really are not complicated or expensive.

[Libero]

Hmmm - why a transfer switch:

1. convenience - don't have to go out in the rain etc to plug power into a gen. Default position is gen on coaches I have seen.

2. How would you enable auto start in the event of shore power failure?

I am certain there are other good reasons to have one, but of course more hardware does mean lower MTBF.

[clyon51]

The basic TS for shore vs genny as others say, is just a convienience. I do not have one on my 30a coach for this basic function.

However, on your basic 30a coach, your rear AC is not even wired into this 30a circuit. To run both ACs, you need to plug into the genny outlet. When the genny is running this trips a TS to tie the 20a circuit of the genny to power the rear AC only. Then you still have a full 30a to the rest of the coach by the 30a circuit.

So in this case, this particular TS is a necessity. To muddy it up a bit more and get off topic, some 30a coaches have an EMS system (mine does) which allows both ACs to run on just 30a from the pedistal. Of course there isn't many amps left, but nice when you need both ACs and don't want to run the genny.

[dabrooks]

I think you have answered my question. Our new Tiffin has one so I was not inquiring about purchasing one. I never thought about the situation where you would lose shore power. It just didn't seem necessary and something else to go wrong.
Thanks

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by dabrooks

...Dumb question about transfer switch.

The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by dabrooks

I think you have answered my question. Our new Tiffin has one so I was not inquiring about purchasing one. I never thought about the situation where you would lose shore power. It just didn't seem necessary and something else to go wrong.
Thanks

Depending on the brand that you have now, you may want to purchase one.

The IOTA transfer switches are prone to burning up and causing fires.

Many have been under a recall.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/iota...ll-116415.html

Transfer Switch (IOTA-50R) - Electrical - FMCA Motorhome Forums

However, I don't believe Tiffin uses the IOTA brand transfer switches.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[dabrooks]

Mine is a Safe Guard Plus by TRC. Although my question was answered your point about one causing fires still leads me to believe if you wouldn't be better off without one.

[IFIXIT]

Originally Posted by clyon51

The basic TS for shore vs genny as others say, is just a convienience. I do not have one on my 30a coach for this basic function.

However, on your basic 30a coach, your rear AC is not even wired into this 30a circuit. To run both ACs, you need to plug into the genny outlet. When the genny is running this trips a TS to tie the 20a circuit of the genny to power the rear AC only. Then you still have a full 30a to the rest of the coach by the 30a circuit.

So in this case, this particular TS is a necessity. To muddy it up a bit more and get off topic, some 30a coaches have an EMS system (mine does) which allows both ACs to run on just 30a from the pedistal. Of course there isn't many amps left, but nice when you need both ACs and don't want to run the genny.

Another very important reason to have a TS is because without one if there was a power failure on the power company grid and you started your generator the power would feed back to the grid. This would go to the transformer and step up the voltage and go out on the power line. If a lineman was working on the outage and made contact = ONE DEAD LINEMAN!!!!!!!!!!

[Libero]

Originally Posted by IFIXIT

Another very important reason to have a TS is because without one if there was a power failure on the power company grid and you started your generator the power would feed back to the grid. This would go to the transformer and step up the voltage and go out on the power line. If a lineman was working on the outage and made contact = ONE DEAD LINEMAN!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. While the Danger warning above is indeed sound, - but who would ever own an RV where it is possible to connect a gen to the shore power line?????

I could not imagine any RV manufacturer that would configure a rig that would allow this to happen.

Does anyone actually have an RV configured so the gen can connect to the shore power line?

[dabrooks]

I agree back feeding in a home environment is a real danger but in a RV that doesn't have a transfer switch you must unplug from the pedestal and then plug into the generator plug. So you really can't back feed.

[wa8yxm]

You are not missing anything of a technical nature.. Your missing data has to do with psychology. The fact that many RVers... Well .. Let's just say that when the storm comes in as it did for me about 5 weeks ago, and the power goes out, as it did,, Kind of nice not having to go out and play in the rain to "Transfer" the RV's electrical needs to the generator.

But the "Poor Man's Transfer" system you describe, where you physically TRANSFER the cord, works just fine.

Some other things you might like..

Walking to the park restroom because you do not have "indoor" plumbing. Cooking only over a campfire cause you don't have a stove.,.,.,. Shall I go on?

[dabrooks]

Point well taken. But we get spoiled by many of the expensive items that aren't needed and I too love being spoiled.