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Old 12-09-2018, 07:52 AM   #1
roadglide
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Auto contactor switch with solar

I'm installing 500 watt solar with 3000 amp inverter . I want my system to switch over auto when using the generator or shore power . Is there a way to know if I have auto contactor switch for my converter?
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500 watts of solar enough power for boon docking.
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Old 12-16-2018, 09:21 AM   #2
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Hello,

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you have not really provided enough information about your rig to answer your question directly. What is already installed? What are you trying to accomplish here? 3000 watts (not amps) is a LOT of DC to AC capacity, and beyond the typical 15A RV wiring capabilities. Tell us more...

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Old 12-16-2018, 06:41 PM   #3
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I know my Xantrex has a built in auto transfer relay but I guess they only way for you to find about your specific one is to research the model or contact the manufacture.
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Old 12-16-2018, 08:56 PM   #4
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I'm getting the parts installed peace by peace .I installed 2 250 watt solar panels, 40 watt dc digital functional meter , 100 amp 75 millamp shunt and 3k Aims inverter, all I have is 2 amg 105 amp hour batteries fo now and nice disconnect switch I had . I'm using no 6 wire and I'm reading that is to small. Everything is ready to get wired and tested but I'm not confenden to do the work. For the auto switch over I'm reading it's built into solar charger. Will be going to quartzsite next month and have decided to let a professional wire the components.
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Old 12-17-2018, 08:41 AM   #5
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If you're having a professional do the work, I'd rely on the expertise of that professional as to which components to use. Someone here may "suggest" a specific component or a specific brand "thinking" about their own system, while that professional you're paying is more familiar with and/or uses better components/brands and has plans to provide an improved system based on his professional knowledge and expertise.

If you're paying him, ask his opinions and then ask, "WHY?" He should be able to explain to you which system and which components are best. Without a doubt, he'll be familiar with whether 6ga or 4/2/0 ga wiring is appropriate and which side of what component to install cutoff/transfer switches.

Once you get the system up and running, a detailed report of what, where,why and how it worked would be fantastic.
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Old 12-23-2018, 07:07 AM   #6
SR71 Jet Mech
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I agree with above. Having installed my own solar system in my RV, There are a lot of variables specific to each set up. Way too little info of your possible set up. On a side note, I too have a 2500w Aims inverter/charger. You did not say inverter/charger so this may NOT parallel your system. My inverter/charger will switch automatically with between the gen, or allow solar to charge. I typically only use the gen on cloudy days (as little as possible). If you are looking for an "auto start" feature then that is a different deal all together. Also as for your wiring, Yes as you know it is too small. I am using 1 AWG and my charger is 2 feet from my batteries.

Do plenty of research. There is a ton out there. Have your professional explain it to you as stated above and work with that person closely. It takes a pretty strong knowledge of electricity so you don't end up in trouble. Fire being the worst.

Also just my $.02
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Old 12-25-2018, 05:38 PM   #7
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Jetmech I have 3000 W Aims inverter. I used no 6 wire and a 15 foot run for the solar panels through the wall with a bundle of other wiring . The inverter is custom mount and it's 1foot from the battery. My aims inverter is pure sine with out the charger. I though the inverter was wired into a converter or fuse box. I'll be in quartzsite soon and snap some pictures.
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Old 12-26-2018, 08:17 AM   #8
SR71 Jet Mech
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So this is why information is crucial. Solar panels hooked together in series or parallel, what type of solar charger, MPPT or the other, fuse between PV array and SOLAR charger, circuit breaker or fuse between solar charger and battery bank. The inverter will not affect the solar or gen. So are you asking if the converter/charger in your rig needs a contactor or some way to disable when on solar and not GEN then yes, it needs to be turned off. I do not use the onboard converter/charger in this configuration as I plug my shore cord into the AIMS inverter/charger. Turn the onboard converter/charger off via circuit breaker in coach panel. Then I do all charging through the solar and or gen. Aims inverter charger will provide all power to rig. I also have another 1000w pure sine wave inverter to run my residential fridge (separate). I have two separate banks of solar, 1 600w and the other 500w. Two separate mppt charge controllers, one 460AH battery bank, I run my panels in series with 8awg wire to the charge controllers. 1awg wire to the batteries from the charge controllers. 1awg wire from batteries to Aims inverter/charger. 4awg wire from batteries to 1000w inverter. All of this is of course fused and has circuit breakers. I also have a shunt and a device to monitor the electrical system from thorn wave labs (thornwavelabs.com). The solar chargers will automatically shut down if the gen is running OR if the batteries get full. If you'd like to see how to wire the auto disconnect contacted check out rvwithtito.com. He has great youtube videos and in one of them he does exactly this. I however shut mine down manually. I would be happy to help guide you your project. I'm extremely glad I did mine. We use it all the time. Makes life easier when you don't have to rely on a power plug in a park. Just remember that A/C and electric heaters KILL batteries fast. Even my fridge is a super drain as it only runs on 120v. I'm anxious to see your pics.
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Old 12-26-2018, 11:51 AM   #9
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I like your idea of plug and play . The switch is from a boat and I want to use it some place on the system . As you can see all the parts will be mounted up above the floor leaving room for my Webber . I hope there is no problem with heat .
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Old 01-13-2019, 01:22 PM   #10
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My rv travel budy helped me install the system in Quartzsite , I just finished adding the third 105 amp hour agm battery, the only regret was using 3 k inverter . I used number 12 Romex to the breaker box . On my impact 2 breakers control all the plugs . The microwave , water heater and refrigerator have there own brackets. I used mppt controller 02 wire from battery to the inverter and 6 wire on the rest of the system . I bought 60$ 200 amp fuse for the 02 wire . Labor here is 80 to 115 hour. I was told parts add up fast and I know . The amis inverter switch I ordered will be here quartzsite soon . Then the system will be completed.
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2018 1 ton 4x4 c.c standard bed GMC Denali
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Old 01-16-2019, 04:28 PM   #11
SR71 Jet Mech
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Hey Roadglide, looks good. Not sure what all you’re running off the inverter as in if the 12 Romex is large enough. I actually come off my main inverter with awg 6 to a 2X4 box in the basement with a 30A RV receptacle. Then use my shore cord. I used a hole saw and made a hole in the floor outboard of the frame rails. Used one of those covers with the flip up door (found on older trailers with a permanently attached shore cord) so I can lock up if need be. No need to wire to my breaker panel. My breaker panel is in the rear of my fiver and all my solar and batteries are in front so for me that was much easier. One thing you haven’t mentioned is a battery monitor. Very important so you don’t go below 50%. The factory monitor in the RV is worthless and full really isn’t full. Check out thornwave labs. It’s a super inexpensive alternative to the VictronConnect or others. Easy to set up and very accurate. All info is Bluetoothed to your phone or tablet. Also will need to wire in a shunt. Another cheap part. If I get a chance I’ll post some pics of my setup.

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Old 01-16-2019, 05:17 PM   #12
SR71 Jet Mech
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I did decide to attach a couple of older pics. One is my first setup with 2 batteries, then upgraded to 4 batteries. The other is a screenshot of some of the info from the thornwave labs monitoring deal. If you look close in the middle it has yellow wires attached to it. I have since the 4 battery pic have added a second charge controller for the additional flexible panels. I have an album you can check out also.Click image for larger version

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Old 01-16-2019, 07:19 PM   #13
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I removed coroplast along the frame and started next to the refrigerator close to the breaker box. I'm only using 2 breakers for all the plugs . That is using 3000 watt aims inverter with on off switch . I have volt meter that's. 3 105 ah agm battery stay at 13 volts with my small power usage. I t was a lot easier then I expected. The 2 panels are 250 watts each .
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