Three way transfer

[AnchorageGuy]

I'm ready to install my generator, so now I need to find a three way switch that will allow me to switch between the generator, shore power, and inverter. Here's the rub. The shore power connects to two panels via two separate power cords. The generator will need to connect to both panels. One is dedicated to the Air Conditioner. The inverter only connects to one panel. Anyone else have this set up and what is your solution? I'm thinking I may need two separate transfer switches. Chuck

[skipmac]

Assume you want to make this fool proof or idiot proof so just in case you have a guest switching systems or you are doing so after 24 hours on watch or 24 rum and cokes some false move would not release sparks, smoke and flame.

Off hand I don't know of one switch that would do everything you want. One may exist, but would not know where to look.

You have two separate shore power plugs, each feeding one panel and you want to use one generator to feed both and one inverter to feed one panel.

To do that I think you would need one A-B-Off switch and one A-B-C-Off switch. Run each shore power plug to A on a switch and the generator to B on both switches run the inverter to C on the switch for that panel. I believe Blue Sea has all of the switches.

[CharlieJ]

Is the generator 120/240VAC capable? Most modern gensets can be converted by switching some leads in the output box.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

Is the generator 120/240VAC capable? Most modern gensets can be converted by switching some leads in the output box.

I was assuming both panels were 120V. So does it matter if you are feeding both panels with one 120V line or each panel with a different leg of a 240V output? Wouldn't you still need to do the same switching setup to select shore power, generator or inverter to feed the panels?

[Blue Stocking]

Kraus and Naimer can do this with a 4-pole, 4-position switch. I say with the greatest of respect, if you have to ask this question, get a qualified MARINE certified electrician to install the switch.
A 4-pole switch will pass-thru the 2 shore supplies, the 2 legs of the generator (with the correct nuetral jumper), and the feed from the inverter to the appropriate panel.
Ask K&N, and they will cam the switch correctly.
Be prepared to go $200+

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Assume you want to make this fool proof or idiot proof so just in case you have a guest switching systems or you are doing so after 24 hours on watch or 24 rum and cokes some false move would not release sparks, smoke and flame.

Off hand I don't know of one switch that would do everything you want. One may exist, but would not know where to look.

You have two separate shore power plugs, each feeding one panel and you want to use one generator to feed both and one inverter to feed one panel.

To do that I think you would need one A-B-Off switch and one A-B-C-Off switch. Run each shore power plug to A on a switch and the generator to B on both switches run the inverter to C on the switch for that panel. I believe Blue Sea has all of the switches.

I have the A,B, Off switch, it connects my main panel to shore power and inverter. The Air Con panel is connected to the second shore power outlet directly. My problem is I can find an A,B,C,Off switch. That would solve my problem.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

Is the generator 120/240VAC capable? Most modern gensets can be converted by switching some leads in the output box.

It's a Next gen and is 120 volts.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I was assuming both panels were 120V. So does it matter if you are feeding both panels with one 120V line or each panel with a different leg of a 240V output? Wouldn't you still need to do the same switching setup to select shore power, generator or inverter to feed the panels?

Here's the problem and I may need to rethink the entire set up. I really don't want to do that since we're getting ready to head for the Bahamas. One shore power cord feeds the main panel and so does the inverter. I have transfer switch installed for them now. The PO installed a second panel for the Air Con and a separate shore power cord for that panel. The main reason for the generator is that Susan wants here air conditioner. My only concern is to not be able to have any two hot on at the same time by mistake.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Kraus and Naimer can do this with a 4-pole, 4-position switch. I say with the greatest of respect, if you have to ask this question, get a qualified MARINE certified electrician to install the switch.
A 4-pole switch will pass-thru the 2 shore supplies, the 2 legs of the generator (with the correct nuetral jumper), and the feed from the inverter to the appropriate panel.
Ask K&N, and they will cam the switch correctly.
Be prepared to go $200+

I appreciate your respect but I have been a marine electronics and electrical tech for 30 years. If I can find the right switches I will have no problem, but I can't find anything other than a two position switch for generator or shore power or what I already have, inverter or shore power. I will look at Kraus and Naimer. Cost is not an issue for the right switch. I can find an automatic switch but I don't like automatic.

[Blue Stocking]

My apology for the caution, standard for me (and others) when I discuss this type of thing on the Internet. I did a similar installation in a DeFever 44, where a residential electrician had cooked the winding on a10Kw gen, and 2 inverters because he did not realise that, unlike residential, where all the neutral are common from 1 supply, they have to be isolated in marine multiple power sources.
K & N built me the switch no problem. Their site contains full details of configurations

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

Here's the problem and I may need to rethink the entire set up. I really don't want to do that since we're getting ready to head for the Bahamas. One shore power cord feeds the main panel and so does the inverter. I have transfer switch installed for them now. The PO installed a second panel for the Air Con and a separate shore power cord for that panel. The main reason for the generator is that Susan wants here air conditioner. My only concern is to not be able to have any two hot on at the same time by mistake.

Would this work?

http://bluesea.com/files/images/products/8366.jpg

[AnchorageGuy]

I have sent an email off to K&N and hope they can help. It looks like they can build almost anything one might need. Thanks for the suggestion. No problem on the caution. I've done it many times myself. Seen first hand too often what can happen if someone doesn't know what their doing. I know exactly how I want to do this, I just can't find the pieces to make it happen. Chuck

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Would this work?

http://bluesea.com/files/images/products/8366.jpg

That's exactly what I need but I couldn't find it because I didn't know the model number and it didn't show up in the products info. Many thanks. Chuck

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

That's exactly what I need but I couldn't find it because I didn't know the model number and it didn't show up in the products info. Many thanks. Chuck

Yes, Blue Sea has hidden info on this pretty well. I couldn't find it looking through product categories but a couple of variations on search terms it popped up.

[AnchorageGuy]

Thanks for the help. I just ordered one. Chuck