Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Popgadget]

Well the verdict is in.
I’m keeping the Onan switch. It was going to be a lot of work to replace it with the Generac because the Onan Cabinet is huge by comparison, and it is installed with conduit from the disconnect to the panel. Also it has digital volt and ammeter displays for the utility and generator that I added and can leave in place including the current transformers with my planned rewire.

It really won’t be a lot of work, all of the internal wiring is terminated on barrier blocks that are well labeled and I have the drawings. I ran the wire from the transfer switch terminals on the generator this afternoon.

 

[3930dave]

Well the verdict is in.
I’m keeping the Onan switch. It was going to be a lot of work to replace it with the Generac because the Onan Cabinet is huge by comparison, and it is installed with conduit from the disconnect to the panel. Also it has digital volt and ammeter displays for the utility and generator that I added and can leave in place including the current transformers with my planned rewire.

It really won’t be a lot of work, all of the internal wiring is terminated on barrier blocks that are well labeled and I have the drawings. I ran the wire from the transfer switch terminals on the generator this afternoon.

Sounds like you will be back-to Backed Up, soon !

Rgds, D.

 

[Popgadget]

All done.
I had a 3PDT relay with A 12vdc coil, socket and DIN rail, so it was off to the races.
Here is the relay and the socket wired up-

Here it is installed in the switch-

All of the white wiring was added.
And if you aren’t familiar with an Onan OT switch-

This one was a 3 phase model that i converted to single phase when I installed it at least 3 decades ago. I used it because I had it left over from a job that canceled.

 

[Popgadget]

Sounds like you will be back-to Backed Up, soon !

Rgds, D.

Yup, like an hour ago. And if worse came to worse, I have a 50kw PTO generator.

 

[LittleBill21]

why is the main copper bar heatsinked? I am not sure I understand why that would get hot, is it because the actuator stays active and gets hot?

 

[Popgadget]

why is the main copper bar heatsinked? I am not sure I understand why that would get hot, is it because the actuator stays active and gets hot?

I don’t think it’s actually a heat sink. It draws less than 1 amp of 240v, and is energized for less than a second to make the transfer, it opens a switch at full stroke that cuts off the power to it.
It does actuate with authority, I’m wondering if it increases the magnetic field.

 

[grsthegreat]

we had an older onan switch in our pumphouse. worked with a 30 years old generator. when they tossed out the old generator and installed parallel generac industrial units, i wanted to keep the old switch, but they supposedly scrapped it out earlier.

those are bulletproof switches, but makor overkill for most residential applications. parts are getting harder to find also.

 

[90cummins]

I also have an OLD Onan 200 amp 3 phase transfer switch in my house. I also use it on single phase.
It came out of a local college years ago and is old school technology.
When it transfers from line to gen or back it’s a loud clunk.
Not much to go bad in there.
It has an Anderson full power plug for my 24kw PTO generator if I need big power.
Another backup for the backups backup, backup.
Wife needs to curl her hair or she’s not going to work
90cummins

 

[3930dave]

Some SERIOUS iron on this page.



Rgds, D.

 

[check]

Speaking of surge protectors, I have one inside just downstream of the main disconnect, but do I need another one somewhere for my automatic transfer switch on my Kohler generator?