Todd TS 30 power switch

[Lakeboy]

I have this switch in my 2001 Pleasureway. It controls the shore power and generator and now I want to add an inverter. Can I use this switch or do I need more equipment? Thanks Lakeboy

[GeorgeRa]

You need to replace your 2-way automatic transfer switch with 3-way one, I believe AIMS makes one.

[BBQ]

.

You can get a converter/inverter/charger combo.
It automatically switches between the different functions.

[booster]

As mentioned a lot of inverters will switch between shore power and inverter internally and automatically. You can also just add a small Xantrex automatic transfer switch after the one you already have.

The first switch will chose generator or shore power, and the second one will chose whichever the first one passed through or inverter. We ran this way for a long time without issue.

[markopolo]

The 15 amp rated Xantrex automatic transfer switch is a good choice if automatically powering one 15A circuit is what you want or need. I've had two in service now for a long time and they work well. Your existing transfer switch stays in place.

Replacing the converter/charger with an inverter charger with a built in transfer switch is also a nice option. I'd suggest to make sure the transfer switch part of the device is rated for at least 30 amps.

Both of those options were mentioned previously.

One caution about swapping the 2-way for a 3-way transfer switch and using an inverter (not an inverter charger) is that you can end up powering the existing converter/charger via your new inverter if the installation is not planned well. That means your batteries would end up trying to charge themselves until depleted. There are workarounds such as remembering to unplug or switch the converter breaker to off or isolating the converter circuit.

[GeorgeRa]

I have Magnum MMS 1012 Inverter/Charger with built in automatic transfer relay limited to 20A. The Magnum 2000W model have 30A transfer relays.

In my case I split the AC panel into 2, one powered by shore power only, and the second panel powered by shore power via transfer relay or inverter itself. This way I eliminated potential mistake of using excessive loads from inverter like stove which is 1200W.

Once you decide which inverter or inverter/charger you will be using the decision for wiring will become easier.

A word of caution, these days a lot of folks tend to be nonchalant with inverter power choice but this decision could make inverter installation costly, hungry for batteries and difficult, so how many watts do you really need. I have 2 inverters, the Magnum 1000W one for primarily microwave, which I rarely use, I don’t like it due to high idle drain, so I added another one, a very efficient 300W Morningstar.

[parkgt]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

I don’t like it due to high idle drain, so I added another one, a very efficient 300W Morningstar.

What do you use the 300 watt inverter for?

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by parkgt

What do you use the 300 watt inverter for?

Laptop, LED projection TV, phones/camera batteries chargers. This is full sine wave, fan-less, 55mA standby draw - https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/suresine/

[parkgt]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

Laptop, LED projection TV, phones/camera batteries chargers. This is full sine wave, fan-less, 55mA standby draw - https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/suresine/

So is it more a matter of convenience not having to turn on/off the larger inverter, or an efficiency factor when actually powering the lighter loads?

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by parkgt

So is it more a matter of convenience not having to turn on/off the larger inverter, or an efficiency factor when actually powering the lighter loads?

Both. the disadvantage is that I have dedicated 300W circuits, outlt and projector. The 300W outlet is clearly marked with the switch next to it.