Statpower now Generator Switch

[richard waters]

I recently ordered a TransTech generator/shorepower transfer switch
from Campers Choice. It cost me $86.64 and as it turns out it is just
2 double throw double pole relays in a plastic box. There is no feature
to wait a minute or so after the generator starts before transferring
the generator power to the AC bus. There is an optional 30 AMP
power guard unit for $152.94 that is supposed to delay the
application of power by 2 minutes for the AC and heat strips to
protect the generator

I notice that in the Camping World catalog I just received they have
a Mag(something) generator switch for $152.10 in what looks to be a better
enclosure. No mention if that has the delay feature.

I wonder if I should send the TransTech switch back and get the
one from Camping World? Or make my own from parts from
Grainger etc.

Comments please.

Richard Waters
'76 PB, Troy, MI

 

[bartz paul]

Richard:

Send it back and get the automatic transfer switch that Byron Maxwell
(830-816-3004) sells, ~ $85. It has a time delay relay in it.

Although I haven't installed it yet, I bought one from Byron.

Paul Bartz

From: Richard Waters [mailto:digitek]
Sent: Monday, April 19, 1999 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower now Generator Switch

I recently ordered a TransTech generator/shorepower transfer switch from
Campers Choice. It cost me $86.64 and as it turns out it is just 2 double
throw double pole relays in a plastic box. There is no feature to wait a
minute or so after the generator starts before transferring the generator
power to the AC bus. There is an optional 30 AMP power guard unit for
$152.94 that is supposed to delay the application of power by 2 minutes for
the AC and heat strips to protect the generator

I notice that in the Camping World catalog I just received they have a
Mag(something) generator switch for $152.10 in what looks to be a better
enclosure. No mention if that has the delay feature.

I wonder if I should send the TransTech switch back and get the one from
Camping World? Or make my own from parts from
Grainger etc.

 

[richard waters]

Paul,
Thanks for the advice. Good thing I didn't throw away the box.

I'll give Byron a call.
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI

> Richard:
>
> Send it back and get the automatic transfer switch that Byron Maxwell
> (830-816-3004) sells, ~ $85. It has a time delay relay in it.
>
> Although I haven't installed it yet, I bought one from Byron.
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> From: Richard Waters [mailto:digitek]
> Sent: Monday, April 19, 1999 1:07 PM
> Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower now Generator Switch
>
> I recently ordered a TransTech generator/shorepower transfer switch from
> Campers Choice. It cost me $86.64 and as it turns out it is just 2 double
> throw double pole relays in a plastic box. There is no feature to wait a
> minute or so after the generator starts before transferring the generator
> power to the AC bus. There is an optional 30 AMP power guard unit for
> $152.94 that is supposed to delay the application of power by 2 minutes for
> the AC and heat strips to protect the generator
>
> I notice that in the Camping World catalog I just received they have a
> Mag(something) generator switch for $152.10 in what looks to be a better
> enclosure. No mention if that has the delay feature.
>
> I wonder if I should send the TransTech switch back and get the one from
> Camping World? Or make my own from parts from
> Grainger etc.

 

[john wright]

Richard,
I bought the Todd TC-30 switch with delay from Bryon Maxwell at Myrtle
Beach for $75. but you will have to pay for shipping so the cost will be
somewhat higher.

J.R. Wright

>
> I recently ordered a TransTech generator/shorepower transfer switch
> from Campers Choice. It cost me $86.64 and as it turns out it is just
> 2 double throw double pole relays in a plastic box. There is no feature
> to wait a minute or so after the generator starts before transferring
> the generator power to the AC bus. There is an optional 30 AMP
> power guard unit for $152.94 that is supposed to delay the
> application of power by 2 minutes for the AC and heat strips to
> protect the generator
>
> I notice that in the Camping World catalog I just received they have
> a Mag(something) generator switch for $152.10 in what looks to be a better
> enclosure. No mention if that has the delay feature.
>
> I wonder if I should send the TransTech switch back and get the
> one from Camping World? Or make my own from parts from
> Grainger etc.
>
> Comments please.
>
> Richard Waters
> '76 PB, Troy, MI

 

[richard waters]

John,
I called Bryon Maxwell today and left a message. So far he has not
called back. I wondered if he made them, but it would appear from your
comments that he is a reseller.

Does the TC-30 handle the output of the 6000 watt Onan? Was it much
of a challenge to install?

If Bryon doesn't get back to me soon, any other source you know of for
that switch?

By the way are you going to that work rally in May down in Ohio? If not
are they worth attending?

Richard Waters, '76 PB, Troy, MI
- ----

> Richard,
> I bought the Todd TC-30 switch with delay from Bryon Maxwell at Myrtle
> Beach for $75. but you will have to pay for shipping so the cost will be
> somewhat higher.
>
> J.R. Wright
>

> >
> > I recently ordered a TransTech generator/shorepower transfer switch
> > from Campers Choice. It cost me $86.64 and as it turns out it is just
> > 2 double throw double pole relays in a plastic box. There is no feature
> > to wait a minute or so after the generator starts before transferring
> > the generator power to the AC bus. There is an optional 30 AMP
> > power guard unit for $152.94 that is supposed to delay the
> > application of power by 2 minutes for the AC and heat strips to
> > protect the generator
> >
> > I notice that in the Camping World catalog I just received they have
> > a Mag(something) generator switch for $152.10 in what looks to be a better
> > enclosure. No mention if that has the delay feature.
> >
> > I wonder if I should send the TransTech switch back and get the
> > one from Camping World? Or make my own from parts from
> > Grainger etc.
> >
> > Comments please.
> >
> > Richard Waters
> > '76 PB, Troy, MI

 

[blank]

> I recently ordered a TransTech generator/shorepower transfer switch
> from Campers Choice. It cost me $86.64 and as it turns out it is just
> 2 double throw double pole relays in a plastic box. There is
> no feature to wait a minute or so after the generator starts before
> transferring the generator power to the AC bus. There is an optional
> 30 AMP power guard unit for $152.94 that is supposed to delay the
> application of power by 2 minutes for the AC and heat strips to
> protect the generator

Richard,

Thanks for posting your experience with this switch. I also considered
ordering it to compare it with the Todd switch that Byron Maxwell sells due
to the "attractive" price. After reading your comments, I second the many
recommendations you've already received to buy the Todd switch.

Patrick

 

[richard waters]

Patrick,
I'm sure glad that you invented the GMCnet! Where would I be with my
GMC restoration project without this help. I sure hope that the
contributions to the laptop project are piling up fast. Make sure you
let us know if you need more contributions, help or anything else.

By the way, can you tell me the best way to get copies of all the "GMC
Motorhome Digests" from previous months. I suppose I could cut from the
web and then paste them back my word processor. It would be better if I
could just download them.

Richard Waters

> Thanks for posting your experience with this switch. I also considered
> ordering it to compare it with the Todd switch that Byron Maxwell sells due
> to the "attractive" price. After reading your comments, I second the many
> recommendations you've already received to buy the Todd switch.
>
> Patrick

 

[richard waters]

Thanks for mentioning Jim Bounds. I'll call him on Friday.

This is getting interesting. I checked the schematic in my manual
and looked inside the coach. It would appear that my '76 Palm Beach
has a 40 amp breaker for each hot wire in the heavy duty power cord.
It looks like the generator output hot wires are tied together, but the
lines to the breaker box are not. So I'm thinking that I have 80 amp
capacity internally, but I am limited to a maximum of 50 amps shore
power (and more often then not 30 amps) by the cable, camp ground
and the generator's maximum output of 50 amps (6000watts/120 VAC).
I can't imagine I could ever use all that power since I don't have a rear
AC. Another example of overkill in the design of the GMC?

I would guess then that I should get the TC-50 model so that if I ever want
to get a rear AC I will be all set. Does that sound reasonable? Do I
have all of this right?

Richard Waters '76 PB

> Jim Bounds is another source for the T-30 and/or T-50. that's where I got mine some time back.
> The 30 handles 30 amps and you may find that it's only the 30 amp leg that's going to the main coach breaker and the other to a 20 that sn't hooked to anything or the both might go to the 30.
>
> I.e. unless the Onan is wired for split, we're only getting 30 amps anyhoo.
>
> At least that was the setup on mine... and still is. But now that I know more about it I may feed my AC with it. I'm guessing that he second 20amp genset output is/was for the second roof AC, which i don't have.
>
> Heinz
>
>
>
>

 

[blank]

> Patrick,
> I'm sure glad that you invented the GMCnet! Where would I be with my
> GMC restoration project without this help.

Trust me Richard - I get as much benefit from it as anyone! I probably
would have sold my coach for scrap by now if it hadn't been for this forum.
Necessity is the mother of invention they say.

> I sure hope that the contributions to the laptop project are piling up
> fast. Make sure you let us know if you need more contributions, help
> or anything else.

They're still coming in. I plan to stick with the weekly updates, so I'll
let everyone know where the balance stands the end of this week.

> By the way, can you tell me the best way to get copies of all the
> "GMC Motorhome Digests" from previous months. I suppose I could
> cut from the web and then paste them back my word processor. It
> would be better if I could just download them.

I keep a couple months back in case someone asks for one. Other than that,
the only archive is on my site.

Patrick