Power Share Switch

[scottz]

If found this today; what do you suppose they are using it for?

I did a web search and this is what it does:

https://www.precisioncircuitsinc.com/product/power-share-switch/


"Power Share Switch (PSS) provides the capability to wire two appliances to a
single circuit breaker. The Primary appliance never losses power. The Secondary
appliance is allowed to run as long as the Primary is not drawing current. Power to the
Secondary appliance is turned off whenever the Primary Appliance is drawing current."

[chuckster57]

I've seen units with the microwave and A/C on the same breaker and a switch on the wall to choose which appliance you want to operate.

Never have investigated further so I don't know if what your talking about is mounted somewhere that can't be readily seen.

[scottz]

The Power Share Switch is screwed to the underside of the floor, in the same compartment as the transfer switch.

[Jeepshots]

So it's like an automatic switch-over selector? AC runs until you fire up the microwave, at which time the switch cuts out the AC until the microwave is done?

[scottz]

So it's like an automatic switch-over selector? AC runs until you fire up the microwave, at which time the switch cuts out the AC until the microwave is done?

That is what it looks like. One load has priority, but if the priority load is not drawing current, the secondary load can work.

I suspect it is there because they maxed out the available breaker spaces on the load center. Nothing on the breaker labels tells me which loads are sharing a breaker; I'll see if I can figure it out.

[JRTJH]

From the brochure, it looks like a "single circuit transfer switch". The description indicates that the primary appliance has priority and if it is not drawing power, the secondary appliance will be able to receive power which is terminated at any time the primary appliance begins to draw power. That's pretty much the same way a transfer switch operates. The trailer (primary appliance) draws power from the park pedestal and if there is no power there, the transfer switch will change sources to allow the generator to apply power until the main source begins again, at which time the transfer switch will disconnect the generator and resume operation on the main source.

Maybe I'm missing something in what you're asking, but from what I see, the picture in your recent post is a shot of the typical 50 amp RV power center distribution/circuit breaker/DC fuse panel diagram. Where is this "priority switch that you're asking about? I don't see an indication of it on the photo....

ADDED: This picture is of the "power share device" that you linked. I don't see that device in your photo. Is it somewhere else?

[bsmith0404]

That is what it looks like. One load has priority, but if the priority load is not drawing current, the secondary load can work.

I suspect it is there because they maxed out the available breaker spaces on the load center. Nothing on the breaker labels tells me which loads are sharing a breaker; I'll see if I can figure it out.

My guess is that it's not necessarily the max breaker space, but it could be looked at that way, but more that they maxed out the max amperage available on the circuits. You only have 25 amps available on each so with a 15k btu AC unit on each circuit and then all the extra stuff they add with the Legacy package, there probably just wasn't enough amps available for all of it. Since your AC and microwave are the two biggest sponges for amps, it's easier to separate them with the switch than to figure out what other possible combinations could exist and devise a plan/system for them.

[scottz]

Maybe I'm missing something in what you're asking, but from what I see, the picture in your recent post is a shot of the typical 50 amp RV power center distribution/circuit breaker/DC fuse panel diagram. Where is this "priority switch that you're asking about? I don't see an indication of it on the photo....

ADDED: This picture is of the "power share device" that you linked. I don't see that device in your photo. Is it somewhere else?

That is a photo of my breaker panel; I included that photo to show that there is nothing on the breaker labels to indicate which devices go through the switch. The power share switch is mounted in the same compartment as the generator transfer switch; out of site unless the compartment cover is removed. I understand what it does; I just want to know which devices are connected to it.

Here is a picture of the power share device:

[bsmith0404]

Most likely the AC and microwave because they are the biggest draw. By placing them so they cannot be used at the same time they pretty much solve any power problems. The microwave would be the primary so the AC will always run as the secondary unless someone tries to use the microwave. The easiest way to find out is to turn on the AC and then see if it shuts off while the microwave is in use.

[scottz]

I did a little test today and found that the Power Share Switch is fed by the breaker for the bedroom air conditioner. So, one of the loads is the bedroom AC; I assume it is the primary load (never had it cut out) but don't know for sure. No idea what the other load is (not microwave, not fireplace). I can't find anything that does not work so I'm thinking it might be outlets. Guess it will become apparent one of these days.

[bsmith0404]

Do you have a central vac?

[scottz]

Do you have a central vac?

Yes; has it's own breaker.

[bsmith0404]

Hmmmm, possibly washer and dryer.

[scottz]

Hmmmm, possibly washer and dryer.

Nope, they each have their own breakers. Here is a photo of my breaker panel list showing everything that has it's own feed. The power share switch is connected to number 14; labeled AC (Bedroom) but nothing else.

[bsmith0404]

Sorry, can't make it big enough on my phone to read without it getting blurry. I'm out of ides. You can always find the switch and see where the wires go.

[scottz]

Sorry, can't make it big enough on my phone to read without it getting blurry. I'm out of ides. You can always find the switch and see where the wires go.

They go into the belly of the beast; way to much work to trace them. I'll figure it out one of these days; until then I'll try to limit myself to worrying about stuff that matters:popcorn:

[scottz]

Where you at in NM? Did you retire from Kirtland?

[Freedom Trucking]

I know this is an old thread. Best thing to do is turn that breaker off and search for what else doesn't have power. More than likely it's a wall circuit. I have the exact same thing and I'm converting to the eco flow independence kit and will be eliminating the roof top AC units in place of one or maybe two mini split units. I have to divide the circuit breakers down to essentials that I want powered full time to the tune of 30 amps and the rest of the RV power to come on when I plug in. I have no way to test it because it's in my back yard not plugged in. Struggling here but I'm sure I'll figure it out. 3761fl.

[bobbecky]

I talked to Scott, and it turned out this switch was installed so a third A/C could be installed, and since he did not install a third A/C, the switch does nothing.

[Bndn88]

Playing around in the basement trying to get the inverter to power the outlets through my generator in line. Seen this and wondered what it was.