martinandanne
Dallas, Texas
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Joined: 09/04/2006
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Four Winds and Dutchmen offer this as an option on their units. What exactly is this for?
Thanks
Martin
2008 Four Winds 5000 23A
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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The Automatic Shoreline to Generator Transfer Switch provides safety and convenience for power service selection. The ASGTS automatically switches power from shoreline to generator with the simple flick of the generator switch.
If you are plugged in at campsite and want to run off your generator, just start it up and it switches from shore power to gen power without you going out into the rain and pulling the plug, und plugging it into your generator.
I can't believe they make that an "option". Must be a bottom of the line C, unless it doesn't come with a generator. A switch is less than 100 bucks, they probably sell it to you for 500.
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0 
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305 
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC 
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stude55
Orange Park, Fl
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Joined: 11/21/2007
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My Holiday Rambler Atlantis does it automatically. The default is the generator. If I'm on shore power and start the generator, it takes over and then I can unplug the shore power with no loss/interruption of power. As far as I know, it wasn't an option.
My wife, Janet and I, plus two cats, Misty and Tootsie, travel in style with our 31ft., 2005 HR Atlantis.
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klhutch
Sububan Chicago
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I don't believe that the Coachmen Freelander we just bought even offered it as an option. It is strictly go outside and plug into the generator outlet in the shore power compartment if you want to use the generator. In some ways that is nice because it gives me a convenient place to plug in a reverse shore power cord to use the MH generator to run the home furnace if the power should fail in the winter. I suppose both an outlet for that purpose and an ATS would be the optimum configuration. Maybe I will look into installing an ATS some day.
Ken
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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I have made several of these, and all you need is a 30A DPDT contactor with a 120V coil, and a steel electrical box (can).
Now this would be for a 30a system only, not a 50A.
You can get the contactor from WW Granger or Johnstone for about $50. and a 6" X 6" steel can to put it in anywhere for $20..
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
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c&cschroed
Clearwater, KS
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Joined: 11/04/2004
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Our FW Chateau 28A does not have the auto transfer switch. Unfortunately the Coachmen rental last year had one, so I wasn't aware of the need to plug the shore power cord into the generator on our unit (apparently our dealer didn't know, either). I will add an ATS eventually but it's not a big deal to do it manually. I just leave it plugged into the generator outlet unless we're hooking up to shore power somewhere.
I would add the optional ATS so you don't have to deal with it later. If you don't have it, though, it isn't a big deal.
Cris, Carol, Robbie, Cathy, and Reeses the Wonder Dog
2005 Four Winds Chateau Sport 28A
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fred v.
florida
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 you might check your owners manual. ours says not to plug in cord for generator until the generator is on or you may damage the coaches electrical system.
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telesave
Toronto, Canada
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Joined: 01/17/2007
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Where can I buy (or find instructions to build) a manual or automated switch to switch from gen to hookup or visaversa?
(to avoid the pain of having to go outside and having to unplug/replug everytime I want to switch over)
thanks, mark
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klhutch
Sububan Chicago
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telesave wrote:Where can I buy (or find instructions to build) a manual or automated switch to switch from gen to hookup or visaversa?
Here's one place:
Auto Transfer Switch From PPL
Camping World has some too:
Auto Transfer Switch From CW
PPL seems to have the better price and a decent reputation but I have never dealt with them so I can't endorse them. BTW, it seems like the model CW is selling is an older, discontinued model. Both are from:
Parallax Power Supply, LLC
and I can't tell which one would be preferred if you have the choice. It is also possible that CW is selling the new model and just hasn't updated their web site info yet.
Ken
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