Is there a 3-imput Automatic Transfer Switch???

Freep said:

My camper has an integrated generator, so there is no socket. It does have an ATS to prevent damage if the gen is turned on while the camper is plugged into shore power.

I think I'll have to get another transfer switch when I install an inverter too, but it would be nice to replace the one that is installed with a three source ATS.

Click to expand...

I wonder about that. When I worked on Dad's camper 30 years ago the generator start switch was on the dash and it was wired through a relay that was energized when on shore power. This opened the power wire to the generator starter and closed the stop circuit. So it wasn't possible to run the generator if shore power was connected.


Seems like a contactor to open the generator output power when AC power is present would do the simpler and cheaper than just about any other option. Maybe even one the other way around so if the generator is on the AC line is open.


@timselectric is Mr contactor and can probably select a proper multipole unit for the job.

ChuckE said:

AMPINVT 3000W Peak 9000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter DC 12V to AC 110V. It includes a transfer switch but under 30A. I'm sure our host has a link to Amazon that gives him a small finder fee. Go to the recommended products part of the RESOURCES pages and then follow one of those links. Once on Amazon just look up the inverter.

Click to expand...

Expert Power makes a bunch of inverters that have a UPS mode to them. I am using a 2000W version as the UPS for my server and desktop. It has dip switches for prefer AC or DC. In DC mode it drains the batteries to something like 40% then recharges to full. So it cycles the batteries. It has a remote with 20ft of wire, but that is a standard RJ45 that could be extended. It also has an eco mode and very low standby power. It is intended to be used in a RV.

Add the MPPT of your choice connected to the battery.


To use as a straight UPS under the desk I have the AC power cord connected to a timer that runs it at night to recharge what was used in the day. I will be hooking up some solar panels to the system so it doesn't do anything at night but top things up from cloudy days. I just have to find some panels locally that are in the 300w range. And wait for the shoulder to heal up. I only need 4 panels and to decide on a MPPT.

sunshine_eggo said:

SoggyShoes said:

So the Multiplus only needs a transfer switch for the generator vs shore power. While the Quatro has the transfer switch built in to the unit?
@sunshine_eggo ? (Please help with knowledge of things blue.) ​

At a ridiculous premium for that function.

Click to expand...

I really wish Victron had some of the same voltage options for the MultiPlus as they do for the Quatro. As far as I can see that is really the only reason to get a Quatro over the MultiPlus. It would be nice if the MultiPlus had the 5kVA or 10kVA options that the Quatro does.

------------------------------------------------------------
For an RV, I'm not even sure what the big deal is of having an automatic transfer switch is.
I am usually on generator, but when I go somewhere that has shore power I have to shut down the power, open up the basement door, pull out the heavy 50A cord, and then hook it up to the shore power. Then when you are done you wrap the heavy cable up and get it back in its spot in the basement. To me, it is not that big of deal to add one more step of unplugging the generator and plugging in the shore power compared to all the other stuff.

Is there something I am missing that an automatic transfer switch does?
I have always read that you should not start up a generator under load. Does an automatic transfer switch somehow shut down your system until the generator is fully fired up?

I could an ATS this being essential if the connections were permanent like on a grid tied system, but not on an RV when you have to get on your hands and knees to get out a heavy cable that is right next to where you have to plug and unplug one connection. That is the easy part of the process.

Please help me see what I am not getting.

SoggyShoes said:

I really wish Victron had some of the same voltage options for the MultiPlus as they do for the Quatro. As far as I can see that is really the only reason to get a Quatro over the MultiPlus. It would be nice if the MultiPlus had the 5kVA or 10kVA options that the Quatro does.

Click to expand...

There is a MP-II 48/5kVA. If it had existed when I bought my Quattros, I would have gone with the MP-II.

Not sure it it will ever go higher...

sunshine_eggo said:

As an owner of two Quattros, I vigorously disagree. I would pursue an upstream ATS unless I had no other choice.

Click to expand...

Why? The quatro does not feed back to the grid. Don't get me wrong, I am not questioning your expertise, trying to learn here.

Bongbong said:

Why? The quatro does not feed back to the grid. Don't get me wrong, I am not questioning your expertise, trying to learn here.

Click to expand...

Cost.

sunshine_eggo said:

Cost.

Click to expand...

The Quattro is less than $300 more...

Please cite source.

This my world:

MP-II 48/5kVA is EU1730
Q 48/5kVA is EU2383 (my unit)

If UL rating of any kind (458 for RV, 1741 for fixed) is important, you have NO options with Quattro.

sunshine_eggo said:

Please cite source.

This my world:

MP-II 48/5kVA is EU1730
Q 48/5kVA is EU2383 (my unit)

If UL rating of any kind (458 for RV, 1741 for fixed) is important, you have NO options with Quattro.

https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pricelist/Pricelist_Victron__EUR_C_2024-Q2_WEB.pdf

Click to expand...

My reference was for the 12v 3000 Multiplus-II 2x120v vs the 12v Quattro 3000 2x120v. Actually only a $244 difference in price.

Michael B Caro said:

buy a second automatic transfer switch. Send the selected power source from the first switch to the second switch and have that one choose between the power source you sent to it and your 3rd power source. I have a transfer switch that did 3 power sources but when it went bad after a number of years I couldn't find another one, so I went to the solution I just described. Has been working fine for 3 years now. I did later run across an Aims 3 way transfer switch used that I picked up just in case. It supposedly works but I have never tested it so not sure.

Click to expand...

that was what I was thinking

ToddG said:

My reference was for the 12v 3000 Multiplus-II 2x120v vs the 12v Quattro 3000 2x120v. Actually only a $244 difference in price.

Click to expand...

The 2x120V is specialized and didn't exist when this thread was created, but there does seem to be a pricing exception - because these are RV-only units and they kinda have to when you can get an external ATS for $150. Again, if UL458 is required/desired, Quattro is not an option.

IMHO, the 2x120 is something of a novelty and is only needed in 50A RVs where very limited functionality is desired. One will get WAY more capability with two 12 or 24V/3kVA MP-II in split phase, sacrificing nothing.