Automatic Transfer from Shore to Generator?

[spaine]

Hi! I just bought a 2020 Minnie Winnie 22M and thought it unusual that I had to physically disconnect the power cord from the generator in order to plug into shore power, and vice versa. My old RV handled that automatically without having to physically change connections. Is there an easy way to automatically transfer between the two without unplugging/plugging? Some sort of transfer switch that automatically defaults to shore if receiving shore power, and to generator if there is no shore power?

Thanks!

[Morich]

While it is something that "could" be done, I would not call it easy in any fashion as that RV does not come with an auto transfer switch.

One could rewire to add one but it would be what I would call way too expensive and way hard to rewire! Much more than I would want and I would not consider it.

[wahoonc]

Yes you can add a ATS a 30 amp costs ~$100-$150 plus installation. The trick it to find a place to mount it. Some Class C do come with it. I added one to a 2016 Coachmen Concord with no problems.

Aaron

[Morich]

But if one has to get the cord out to plug into shore power and then we have to put the cord back in the compartment, is the only gain going to be avoiding the time it takes to plug that cord into the RV outlet?

With the problems I see on replacing the transfer switch when screws get loose, I'm not one to favor even a $100 dollars to increase my maintenance needs!
Is there something like travel with animals that would drive such a need? That would seem to also require an auto start generator to make that work? So what drives the question?
I guess I'm missing what the advantage would be of coiling the cord up and dropping it in the compartment over coiling the cord and then plugging the end in the outlet!

[Eagle5]

I personally prefer the simplicity of the plug-in system of the Minnie Winnie.
Less to go wrong; less to fix.

[spaine]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Yes you can add a ATS a 30 amp costs ~$100-$150 plus installation. The trick it to find a place to mount it. Some Class C do come with it. I added one to a 2016 Coachmen Concord with no problems.

Aaron

Ideally, a switch could go right in the box where the power cord and generator plug are. There is plenty of room. But that would only work if the ATS had 30 amp outlets and didn't require rewiring.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Morich

But if one has to get the cord out to plug into shore power and then we have to put the cord back in the compartment, is the only gain going to be avoiding the time it takes to plug that cord into the RV outlet?
~snip~

With most ATS you don't have to unplug the power cord. It defaults to the generator, so if you start the generator it will unswitchdisconnect from the shore power. I was staying in a campground and the power went out from thunderstorms, the AGS kicked in and kept the power on. Once the storm passed and the power came back on we turned the generator off and it switched back to shore power.

Also I would hate to have to plug up a 50 amp power cord in a tight compartment.

Aaron

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by spaine

Hi! I just bought a 2020 Minnie Winnie 22M and thought it unusual that I had to physically disconnect the power cord from the generator in order to plug into shore power, and vice versa. My old RV handled that automatically without having to physically change connections. Is there an easy way to automatically transfer between the two without unplugging/plugging? Some sort of transfer switch that automatically defaults to shore if receiving shore power, and to generator if there is no shore power?

Thanks!

In bad weather or whenever you have a power outage it is nice to have a ATS. If your generator is not set up for it, a add on ATS will be a bit tricky.
I find the ATS is most valuable when away from the coach. If the power goes out the ATS will take care of the problem (if all goes as planned.)

[Ray,IN]

We've became spoiled by gadgets and electronics. I too preferred the simplistic way of switching power sources.
Just look at the problems presented by those who have a one-place system to control everything in the RV.

[Morich]

There may be some confusion creeping in as the transfer switch and the generator auto start are two different things to set up. With the auto transfer switch, power loss on the shore power will switch power to the generator BUT only if somebody starts the generator!
This has "some" benefit as we don't have to move the plug.
But if we want it to happen full auto, we have to have both the transfer switch and the generator auto start because the transfer will not do anything if the generator is not started!