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06-23-2014, 05:10 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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Automatic Transfer Switch Changeout
Installed a Progressive Dynamics 5100 ATS to replace the stock Parallax that has caused so many people problems. Decided I'd be proactive. Very straightforward process. As I removed the old ATS I was unhappily surprised to find that both the load and neutral wires had never been tightened down in the old ATS. I could easily slip both of them from their slots. Guess I've been lucky not to have an "issue" in the last couple of years. IF you are into preventative maintenance, and you're comfortable with electrical stuff, AND you have an ATS, you might check the security of all those connections.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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06-23-2014, 05:52 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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I found most of the retention screws loose in the last two Interstates that I have put solar on. Makes you wonder about the factory's quality control.
Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally certified Master Tech
Master Tech RV Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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06-23-2014, 06:03 PM
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#3
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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Barry,
That's a good inspection tip. Might as well add the terminals on the circuit breaker box too. And maybe anything you can get to on the 12V power supply.
Gary
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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06-23-2014, 06:07 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Celina
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 541
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Where is the ATS located?
Gary
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06-23-2014, 06:16 PM
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#5
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Castaway
Where is the ATS located?
Gary
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In most trailers, it is located near the breaker box/converter.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-23-2014, 06:19 PM
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#6
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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For those mulling replacement, check into the 50 amp transfer switches. They are more heavy duty than the stock 30 amp switch, and as a plus they have a built in spare. IF it should fail, simply move the connections to the other half of the switch.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-24-2014, 04:21 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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The ATS was mounted on the rear of my electrical panel. In order to remove it I had to unscrew both the 120V and 12V side to get to the two screws. Not a big issue, as I had to get behind the 120V side anyway to connect the breaker to the new ATS, the neutral, and the ground wire to the buss bar. I mounted the new ATS in a much easier service location, and policed up some other stuff in that compartment. My WH is also in there and since I had closed that cabinet up when I ripped out the L seat, I added in a muffin fan with a thermostat that pulls the heat from that cabinet and exhausts it into the trailer. The WH gets pretty hot and with the electrical panel and converter in there I was concerned about overheating components.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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08-22-2014, 10:37 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB International
Fort Lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9
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+1
Add me to the list of transfer switch issues. Rather than take to Airstream, I just bypassed the switch, disconnecting the front generator plug.
However, In the future I would like to install a manual switch. Suggestions or links would be appreciated...
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08-23-2014, 04:49 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikee6453
However, In the future I would like to install a manual switch. Suggestions or links would be appreciated...
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It seems the most basic manual "switch" is to unplug the Airstream's power cable from the pedestal and plug it into the generator.
I'm not familiar with the issues with the model switch Airstream is using, but electrical devices do not get much simpler than these types of automatic transfer switches. It is basically a DPDT relay energized by line voltage.
Here is a manual one, but it likely has a similar DPDT relay inside the box. ..........
I assume Airstream's customers asked for an automatic transfer switch. I am probably missing something, but do not understand the utility of an automatic transfer switch on a travel trailer with portable generator. How do travel trailer owners typically use them?
Homes and bushiness use them to isolate the generator off the grid until the power fails.
Motorhome owners with built in generators can run their AC equipment while driving and may pull into a campground with its generator running (or on standby) so it makes sense to have the ATS isolate the generator from the campground's electric utility when the owner hooks up to the pedestal.
But these Airstream's with ATS do not have built-in generators..... do they?
I guess for someone living fulltime who needed backup power, the ATS would be convenient. Or if I needed a backup generator to keep critical A/C equipment going while in a campground with spotty power. But even then, wouldn't a portable generator need be kept running or have auto-start to ensure seamless back up?
I am just curious but what are the kind of situations where Airstreamer's utilize an ATS plus portable generator?
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
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08-23-2014, 03:46 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB International
Fort Lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9
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Airstreams do not have built in generators, from my understanding the switch is so shore power and generator power are not added at the same time through the two available power inlets. Airstream essentially made it "dummy" proof so that only one works at a time, only it was done with a cheap part that regularly malfunctions not allowing power in to the switch panel at all from either input.
Mine is a 2012, which I understand was a problem year for this particular power transfer switch. Rather than airstream taking notice and replacing it on a regular service call, they leave it be for me to figure out when my power dies during the night,during the rain, and the next morning my battery completely drains while hooking up my weight distribution bars,me hike my suv is lifted off the ground and my tongue jack stops working...
Hence the reason I disconnected on of the ports, the front one and ran the orange power cable directly into the back of the electric panel. No more switch, no more problems. However, there may be those times that the front out is more convenient for plugging in that rather rewriting it again to switch the power to the front, I'd prefer to through a switch inside so that the power is switched to the front outlet.
I can see the benefit of the front power outlet, especially for those folks with trucks that can leave the generator locked in the bed and not have to lift it out each use. That's not my particular situation, I could live with just knowing the switch is not going to cause my Airstream to completely go dead on me, but since it's probably only a $20-$30 switch I'd rather hook it up under the bed in case, future resale, etc.
Has anyone done this?
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08-23-2014, 05:54 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
Prescott
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 67
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Shock Hazard
For those who are unfamiliar with the electrical circuitry of a "Transfer Switch" (manual or automatic) there is another important function it serves, Safety.
If someone were to by-pass or jumper around the transfer switch without disconnecting one of the two (2) Line Inputs, you would have exposed electrical components ( male terminals) at the shoreline connector that wasn't being used (i.e. Generator port).
I like the convenience of the automatic transfer switch as sometimes I will plug the shoreline cable into the "Remote Generator Power Input" if I'm parked in a campground where the power pedestal is in a less than desirable location.
Otherwise, with a manual transfer switch, I would need to "remember" to go inside and change the switch position.
Thank you for the tip to check tightness on all of the wire connections.
I'll add this to my maintenance schedule.
Cheers
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10-21-2019, 04:55 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Kensington
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 554
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10-21-2019, 05:05 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAB
Installed a Progressive Dynamics 5100 ATS to replace the stock Parallax that has caused so many people problems. Decided I'd be proactive. Very straightforward process. As I removed the old ATS I was unhappily surprised to find that both the load and neutral wires had never been tightened down in the old ATS. I could easily slip both of them from their slots. Guess I've been lucky not to have an "issue" in the last couple of years. IF you are into preventative maintenance, and you're comfortable with electrical stuff, AND you have an ATS, you might check the security of all those connections.
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And while you (and all the lurkers) are tightening the ATS screws, open up the breaker box and tighten all the screws on the neutral bus. We found all our wires badly charred. We have put this item on our annual checklist.
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