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Old 05-28-2020, 04:38 PM   #1
Last2Die
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Transfer Switch

So I finally got a quote to install a transfer switch and a plus for the front of the RV. 1055 plus tax.... that sounds grossly overpriced..... or is that the going rate...?

parts: 495
labor: 475
service call: 85

I need to watch a ton of YouTube videos and do this myself for that price !! WOW

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Old 05-28-2020, 06:00 PM   #2
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seems a bit pricey on parts
service call why?
https://www.campingworld.com/trc-50-...tch-67274.html

bulkhead connector $25-30
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Old 05-28-2020, 06:41 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba View Post
seems a bit pricey on parts
service call why?
https://www.campingworld.com/trc-50-...tch-67274.html

bulkhead connector $25-30
this guy is mobile

Tony
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Old 05-28-2020, 06:52 PM   #4
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Installing a transfer switch isn’t rocket science. If you think you can do it and will try you probably can. Figure where you are going to put it and where you will route the wire. Hooking it up is paint by the numbers. Will you wire a generator or install a receptacle?
I just last week made a transfer switch for my motor home. I used to Square D 220 volt breakers. I have a connector between them. Pull the connector up for the generator and push it down for shore power. You CANNOT have both on or off at the same time, impossible. It’s of course a manual switch but will never give any trouble. If I can make a transfer switch and install it you can install one. All you haft to do is try. I’m a machinist not an electrician.
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Old 05-28-2020, 07:11 PM   #5
Last2Die
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For me just a receptacle, I have 2 inverter/ generators in the back of my
Truck. I know where I want the plug and I know the location where to install the switch. Just not so sure about the rest.

Its the wiring of the switch to the breaker panel im not sure about. correct me if im wrong:

I take the power cable from the shore plug off the back of the breaker panel. Add wire to reach the ATS. The wire from shore power goes into 1 of the in slots. The second in slot goes to the 50 amp receptacle which I would put in the front of the unit. then I would need to run wires from the out back to the rear of the breaker panel???

thats what's floating around in my head as what it would need to look like... I think. Im not sure what gauge wire or what is all needed? would I need conduit? how would I get the wires from outside to inside? drill holes and patch somehow? yeah a lot of questions LOL

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Old 05-29-2020, 06:30 AM   #6
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Get some prices from local electrical contractors.
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Old 05-29-2020, 08:52 AM   #7
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If this is just so you can use your generators an extension cord seems more economical, less work, and less things to go wrong.
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Old 05-29-2020, 08:54 AM   #8
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This is the way to wire your transfer switch

1 unhook the main power cable from the fuse box
2 Hook that cable to the transfer switch
3 Cut a hole where you will mount the receptacle and run a 8 gage wire to it and connect it.
4 Connect the 8 gage wire to the transfer switch.
5 Run another 8 gage wire from the transfer switch to the breaker box where you disconnected the main cable that came into your camper.
6 The last thing cross your fingers and cut the powder on.

The hardest part will be finding a place for the transfer switch and how to run the 8 gage wire. You can do any of these steps in any order except cutting the power back on.
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Old 05-29-2020, 11:05 AM   #9
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If your coach is using #8AWG wire for a 50A connection it has the wrong wire installed.

Installing a automatic transfer switch probably isn’t something someone handy and with common sense cannot do Just do your due diligence to educate yourself and most importantly remember THAT dog does bite if you get careless. I would bet you could probably find a good image or wiring diagram example using google.

I will leave you with a tip. There is probably enough slack in the 50A 6/4 SOOW cable between the panel and the SP plug that you can pull that slack and cut the wire leaving the panel connected so you don’t have to touch that. Then just hookup the end from the panel to the ATS outlet and the end from the SP inlet to appropriate input on the ATS. Usually The ATS variants I see in RV distribution are generator preferred so you should check the input labels and/or the documentation that came with your ATS. Use approved connectors where the cable ends enter the ATS knockouts including strain reliefs if needed. The contractors should also be labeled L1, L2 and N. Pay particular attention to hooking those up correctly. If your rig is stock and was connected properly the L1 and L2 will most likely be black and red conductors doesn’t matter which is which. Only matters that you keep like together. The white conductor is your neutral or grounded conductor. The green or bare copper conductor is your ground or grounding conductor. You should wind up with 3 grounding conductors, one each from SP inlet, panel and your generator. These should all be connected to each other using an appropriate connector type and pigtailed to the equipment ground in the ATS enclosure. The enclosure may have a lug installed for this or it may only have a threaded connection point for you to install the lug yourself.
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Old 05-29-2020, 11:50 AM   #10
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I agree with PNW Fireguy. When I installed our surge protector I noticed that there was plenty of extra cable. One other thing to consider is the actual Transfer Switch. The one that Keystone uses is an AC style that has a loud humming noise when plugged into shore power. In doing some research I saw where a guy replaced his noisy AC style to a DC style (probably an extra circuit board similar to variable speed well pumps) and now enjoys the sound of silence. He did say the replacement was more expensive.

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Old 05-29-2020, 11:58 AM   #11
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Thanks 8 gage is good for 40 amps 6 is good for 50.
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Old 05-29-2020, 03:14 PM   #12
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The excess cable from the shore power plug that would be located behind the electrical panel? I know where the switch is going to go. The right side inside the propane storage area on the steel and the plug will be ran from there to the front. I kinda got it in my head the wiring part seems pretty straight forward and I agree snaking the wiring to where I need it. Would there be, say 10-15 extra feel of cable..?
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Old 05-29-2020, 03:48 PM   #13
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Most people can do almost anything they try to do. An additional benefit you will understand how everything works so if you have a problem you will know what the problem is and how to fix it.
You have the can do attitude and you can do it. Just take your time figure how to do it and modify your plan if you need to. Go for it and tell us how it went and you may encourage others to try things they need to do. I’ve never been afraid to try things. I built my home and had even built a bird house before.
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Old 05-29-2020, 04:37 PM   #14
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I wouldn’t install the ATS in the propane storage area as this would constitute a div1 class1 hazardous installation. Not important w
All the details but it’s not a place for non such rated electrical equipment installations. Also I doubt the excess SOOW cable is long enough to loop out that far. The back wall of the basement pass through or perhaps even under the stairs would be a better location on both fronts.
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Old 05-29-2020, 04:40 PM   #15
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Old 05-29-2020, 04:56 PM   #16
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My transfer switch is by my stairs on the DS behind the bulkhead panel on 3160. That is also where I put my surge protector.
It is not very hard to get to that area, lots of room and that is where most all my wiring is located.

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Old 05-29-2020, 05:27 PM   #17
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So sounds like remove the basement wall and place transfer switch there. Sounds like a better idea lol
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Old 05-29-2020, 07:19 PM   #18
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Please do not install in propane area. That is asking for a disaster to happen. Gas and sparks don’t get along together. If you drop your basement wall then you should be able to install it behind there.
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Old 05-29-2020, 07:26 PM   #19
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Please do not install in propane area. That is asking for a disaster to happen. Gas and sparks don’t get along together. If you drop your basement wall then you should be able to install it behind there.
Yeah I think that’s going to be the spot.
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Old 05-29-2020, 10:58 PM   #20
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Yeah I think there is a total of four screws holding that basement wall in place. Put it wherever you want, what ever turns your crank, that just happens to be where the factory installs them.
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