Generac ATS and Portable Generator

[extrat162]

I think I have read this here before but I can’t find it so I’ll ask again.

I have a Generac 100A ATS installed. I am supplying it with a portable generator 30A when power goes out (only supplying basic items to not overload the generator). My question is how do I make the ATS switch the solenoid to generator power once I start the generator?

There is a 12v battery tender the previous owners had installed which appears to be powered on when the generator is started (not sure it’s getting power from the correct location when the generator is on) and then should give 12v+ and 12v- to the generator ATS I assume similar to the control brain on a true standby generator. Should the 12v+ go to go to the “customer connection” +12VDC and the 12v- go to the transfer #23 to activate the generator service solenoid when line service is lost?

Currently to transfer power I have to remove the cover and use the included rod to pull the switch into generator mode.

Thanks.

 

[mopowr steve]

The ATS needs to get a 12 volt signal from the generator. Which you do not have with your portable generator. I guess you could get a 120 or 240 volt to 12volt converter and connect it to the generator leads connection on the transfer switch so that when the generator is actually suppling power it would switch the transfer.
I am not sure off the top of my head what happens when the utility power comes back on whether it will transfer back without any other additional relay or control, got to look at the schematic and think about it.

 

[hillbilly1]

I’ve actually built a relay logic to control the cheap General switch, with time delays and voltage sensing, which would be way more than what you need here. Mine was automatic, controlling a remote start generator they had removed from a poultry house. You only need a toggle switch to energize the transfer relay in the transfer switch. I don’t remember the terminal numbers that commits the transfer, but I’m sure somebody on here has that info. You can use a 120 volt relay that fails closed in series with a toggle switch, if the charger/maintainer is on a non-backed up circuit.

 

[mopowr steve]

Not sure that a battery tender has enough output power to throw the transfer switch, but a more robust converter would. And you seem to be on the right track with #23 and transfer connections

 

[hillbilly1]

Not sure that a battery tender has enough output power to throw the transfer switch, but a more robust converter would. And you seem to be on the right track with #23 and transfer connections

Wouldn’t mater about the power output of the maintainer because the signal would be powered off the battery, which will have more than enough juice. The transfer solenoids are powered off the available 240 volt lines broke through a 12 Vic ice cube relay.

 

[mopowr steve]

Wouldn’t mater about the power output of the maintainer because the signal would be powered off the battery, which will have more than enough juice. The transfer solenoids are powered off the available 240 volt lines broke through a 12 Vic ice cube relay.

Thanks, I forgot about the cube relay. I was thinking the solenoids on the transfer were 12 volt, I be wrong again.

 

[kwired]

Thanks, I forgot about the cube relay. I was thinking the solenoids on the transfer were 12 volt, I be wrong again.

Just connected a Generac last week. No plug in relays (anymore?) just a board all the control wiring lands on with no intended serviceable parts to it. This one also had wifi and you must connect to internet so it can register, unit won't start until it is registered. I can't give you much details on that part as owner bought unit and did most the installation other than the wiring.

 

[hillbilly1]

Just connected a Generac last week. No plug in relays (anymore?) just a board all the control wiring lands on with no intended serviceable parts to it. This one also had wifi and you must connect to internet so it can register, unit won't start until it is registered. I can't give you much details on that part as owner bought unit and did most the installation other than the wiring.

Yeah, they’ve changed them quite a bit since last installed a Generac. I only do Onan and Kohler now.