Compact manual transfer switches

[mike93lx]

This is part of the planning for the automated battery backup I have a thread going on.

The inverter will do the automated switching, but I want to have a way to bypass the inverter and keep the circuits powered up. I am tight on space, so I am hoping to find something fairly compact. Could be rated as low as 50a 120v (inverter will be 120v and either 3kva or 5kva)

Not interested in no-name imported junk on Amazon or Ali-x.

Any suggestions?

 

[larry4406]

Mike - do any of this work? No experience with any of them, just google-fu

Top-Quality Transfer Switch Kit | Reliance Controls

We provide top-quality generator transfer and safety switch, generator transfer panel, power transfer switch for generator, and house generator transfer switch.

reliancecontrols.com

USA, Universal Changeover Switch|Manual Generator|3PDT Center OFF|Rotary Cam| RV Transfer Swith| Pedestal Power Supply | Boat Panel | Power Source| Utility | Line | Shore| Back-up Power| Solar Energy| Battery Charger| Rectifier | Transfer Switch|

Universal Changeover Switch|Manual Generator|3PDT Center OFF|Rotary Cam| RV Transfer Swith| Pedestal Power Supply | Boat Panel | Power Source| Utility | Line | Shore| Back-up Power| Solar Energy| Battery Charger| Rectifier | Transfer Switch| 3 Position

www.mqtekindustrialsupplies.com

 

[PCustoms]

I'm probably not understanding correctly, but a small sub panel and a manual interlock?

 

[mike93lx]

I'm probably not understanding correctly, but a small sub panel and a manual interlock?

I think I need to sketch this out.

I dont think an interlock will work. The feed into that breaker would be from the main panel, then the inverter would feed the lugs in the sub. Problem is that the line from the inverter would be energized if I flip the interlocked breaker.

I have to disconnect the inverter feed and switch over to utility feed in one throw

 

[mike93lx]

Mike - do any of this work? No experience with any of them, just google-fu

Top-Quality Transfer Switch Kit | Reliance Controls

We provide top-quality generator transfer and safety switch, generator transfer panel, power transfer switch for generator, and house generator transfer switch.

reliancecontrols.com

USA, Universal Changeover Switch|Manual Generator|3PDT Center OFF|Rotary Cam| RV Transfer Swith| Pedestal Power Supply | Boat Panel | Power Source| Utility | Line | Shore| Back-up Power| Solar Energy| Battery Charger| Rectifier | Transfer Switch|

Universal Changeover Switch|Manual Generator|3PDT Center OFF|Rotary Cam| RV Transfer Swith| Pedestal Power Supply | Boat Panel | Power Source| Utility | Line | Shore| Back-up Power| Solar Energy| Battery Charger| Rectifier | Transfer Switch| 3 Position

www.mqtekindustrialsupplies.com

Thanks. The reliance picture was distorted and made it look really tall. That size is about perfect

 

[mike93lx]

This Pic from a user on diysolar shows what I'm thinking, I'm just planning on a single inverter and 120v

 

[jimbee]

If you're sure how many circuits you want to back up (don't want to add any in the future), these units from Reliance Controls perform that function all-in-one. Unless you don't want to individually switch each load. Just connect the inverter via the generator connection. Integrates the function of the transfer switch and subpanel.

https://www.reliancecontrols.com/products/category/pro-tran-transfer-switches/8

 

[mike93lx]

If you're sure how many circuits you want to back up (don't want to add any in the future), these units from Reliance Controls perform that function all-in-one. Unless you don't want to individually switch each load. Just connect the inverter via the generator connection. Integrates the function of the transfer switch and subpanel.

https://www.reliancecontrols.com/products/category/pro-tran-transfer-switches/8

No, that won't work. The inverters cut over automatically when power is lost, so tying it into the generator input will make it a manual cutover

 

[jimbee]

No, that won't work. The inverters cut over automatically when power is lost, so tying it into the generator input will make it a manual cutover

The circuits in the Pro/Tran transfer box would normally be set to generator(inverter) feed. Analogous to the "A" position the 100 Amp Manual Transfer Switch in your diagram.

 

[larry4406]

Mike - I thought I saw that some of the Victron units have generator input in addition to grid input along with battery. It’s smarts then select the input to use. .

 

[mike93lx]

The circuits in the Pro/Tran transfer box would normally be set to generator(inverter) feed. Analogous to the "A" position the 100 Amp Manual Transfer Switch in your diagram.

Ah, I got you now, my bad. Yes, that's a good idea..
I was planning to use a homeline sub so I can reuse all the breakers in my current panels. I'll have to see how it all compares on cost and sizing. One panel would be great

 

[mike93lx]

Mike - I thought I saw that some of the Victron units have generator input in addition to grid input along with battery. It’s smarts then select the input to use. .

Yes, they do. The goal with this transfer switch is to be able to take the victron out of the system entirely. Thinking about a failure on the inverter or something needs to be worked on, and I don't want to take the critical circuits down

 

[larry4406]

The circuits in the Pro/Tran transfer box would normally be set to generator(inverter) feed. Analogous to the "A" position the 100 Amp Manual Transfer Switch in your diagram.

Ah, I got you now, my bad. Yes, that's a good idea..
I was planning to use a homeline sub so I can reuse all the breakers in my current panels. I'll have to see how it all compares on cost and sizing. One panel would be great

Neat and clean.

Following along….

 

[mike93lx]

In my last two houses, I installed Reliance Controls main panels that had integrated transfer switches (xrr1003c, IIRC). 100a main, 30a generator breaker, and they were around 24 spacesz accepted breakers from several manufacturers.

That line's discontinued, but they replaced it with something similar, just a 200a main... And the price went up a bunch. This one is about $700. Considering my space constraints, I might go for it, though. Being able to use my existing homeline breakers is nice.

 

[larry4406]

In my last two houses, I installed Reliance Controls main panels that had integrated transfer switches (xrr1003c, IIRC). 100a main, 30a generator breaker, and they were around 24 spacesz accepted breakers from several manufacturers.

That line's discontinued, but they replaced it with something similar, just a 200a main... And the price went up a bunch. This one is about $700. Considering my space constraints, I might go for it, though. Being able to use my existing homeline breakers is nice.

In your first post you said could be as low as 50A 120V minimum.

This Reliance panel has a 240V 30A generator breaker. Are you now thinking of a 240V battery system?

 

[mike93lx]

In your first post you said could be as low as 50A 120V minimum.

This Reliance panel has a 240V 30A generator breaker. Are you now thinking of a 240V battery system?

No, still 120v. The 50a rating was to have room to upgrade.

The reliance panels are available with a 50a generator breaker as well. I was just noting that I had previously used 30a inlets.

I am very likely going to install a single 3kva inverter and if I want to expand, I'd add a second and do split phase at that point