danemayer
New member
- Location
- Austin, TX, USA
Hi all,
I have an RV with 50 amp service and alternative power from a 5500watt generator. The two power sources are both connected to a Progressive Dynamics PD52 Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that gives priority to the generator.
In February, the ATS failed completely and would not work at all on either external power or generator. On examination, there was serious heat damage to the enclosed assembly and to the #6 awg wires on the shore power side. The generator input wires had slight damage. Some of the wire outside the box also appeared discolored.
I cut off about 6 inches of wire to get back from the damaged area and installed a replacement switch.
In early April, I had the RV at the storage lot (no external shore power) and started the generator to run the vacuum cleaner. It wouldn't run. Checked an outlet and found 90V from hot to neutral, 120V from hot to ground, and 30V from neutral to ground. Opened the transfer switch and found that the neutral line going through the contactor on the generator side was not conducting any power. Measuring resistance with wires disconnected, and the contactor manually depressed, the neutral was open. All other lines appeared ok.
Replaced the ATS again. All contacts measured ok before installation. Fired up the generator and the contactor relay chattered as it tried to activate. Arcing was visible. After a second or two it stopped chattering but would not stay energized. The relay is powered by voltage on the L1 line from the generator. At the generator wires coming into the switch, L1 to ground read 120V and L1 to neutral also read 120V. L2 also showed 120V.
Replaced the ATS again yesterday. Before installing, I measured each set of contacts and with the contactors at rest had open circuits. With contactor manual depressed, had continuity. HOWEVER, after installing, check again and found that the L2 contacts on the generator side showed continuity whether the contactor was depressed or not. Did not fire up the generator.
So I now have 4 transfer switches, each displaying a different problem.
My question is: am I doing something wrong, or is there some hidden problem, or does Progressive Dynamics have a problem with their switches?
Appreciate any insight.
I have an RV with 50 amp service and alternative power from a 5500watt generator. The two power sources are both connected to a Progressive Dynamics PD52 Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that gives priority to the generator.
In February, the ATS failed completely and would not work at all on either external power or generator. On examination, there was serious heat damage to the enclosed assembly and to the #6 awg wires on the shore power side. The generator input wires had slight damage. Some of the wire outside the box also appeared discolored.
I cut off about 6 inches of wire to get back from the damaged area and installed a replacement switch.
In early April, I had the RV at the storage lot (no external shore power) and started the generator to run the vacuum cleaner. It wouldn't run. Checked an outlet and found 90V from hot to neutral, 120V from hot to ground, and 30V from neutral to ground. Opened the transfer switch and found that the neutral line going through the contactor on the generator side was not conducting any power. Measuring resistance with wires disconnected, and the contactor manually depressed, the neutral was open. All other lines appeared ok.
Replaced the ATS again. All contacts measured ok before installation. Fired up the generator and the contactor relay chattered as it tried to activate. Arcing was visible. After a second or two it stopped chattering but would not stay energized. The relay is powered by voltage on the L1 line from the generator. At the generator wires coming into the switch, L1 to ground read 120V and L1 to neutral also read 120V. L2 also showed 120V.
Replaced the ATS again yesterday. Before installing, I measured each set of contacts and with the contactors at rest had open circuits. With contactor manual depressed, had continuity. HOWEVER, after installing, check again and found that the L2 contacts on the generator side showed continuity whether the contactor was depressed or not. Did not fire up the generator.
So I now have 4 transfer switches, each displaying a different problem.
My question is: am I doing something wrong, or is there some hidden problem, or does Progressive Dynamics have a problem with their switches?
Appreciate any insight.
