Which Generator Transfer Switch | Which Cord

[CLHC]

Been looking into the Reliance Controls transfer switches and have yet to determine which one. These are the ones I'm looking at.

Reliance Controls 30 A Generator Switches

31410CRK Pro/Tran

Q310A Pro/Tran Q Series


Reliance Controls 50 A Generator Switches

51410C Pro/Tran

Q510A Pro/Tran Q Series

Once I've determined which generator transfer switch then I'll be looking at local electricians for the install. Anyone here have any experience with these generator transfer switches?

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Also been looking into 50 A and 30 A cords. There's a dizzying array of them on the market and this is all new to me. For those with successful experience with these setups, which one do you recommend? Here's a few picture shots of what my generator's panel looks like:

GenSmart Panel



Far Right of Panel

<a href="http://s987.beta.photobucket.com/user/chc_hmc/media/IMG_0046_zpse3f551f1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/chc_hmc/th_IMG_0046_zpse3f551f1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Panel Removed

<a href="http://s987.beta.photobucket.com/user/chc_hmc/media/IMG_0043_zps5907379a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/chc_hmc/th_IMG_0043_zps5907379a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Power Cord Attached to Generator and GenSmart Panel

<a href="http://s987.beta.photobucket.com/user/chc_hmc/media/IMG_0045_zps25ca6ce9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/chc_hmc/th_IMG_0045_zps25ca6ce9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[DUQ]

I would stick with the 30A panel if cannot foresee more load being added in the future. The panel also comes with cording and plugs so you don't need to buy it.

The second panel listed at the top comes with #10 wire but a combined max load of 60A. If you plan on running the genset further than 20 feet then you will need to move up to #8.

You can also make your own cord if you wanted to save some cash. Most stores sell the wire and plugs.

 

[CLHC]

I would stick with the 30A panel if cannot foresee more load being added in the future. The panel also comes with cording and plugs so you don't need to buy it.

The second panel listed at the top comes with #10 wire but a combined max load of 60A. If you plan on running the genset further than 20 feet then you will need to move up to #8.

You can also make your own cord if you wanted to save some cash. Most stores sell the wire and plugs.

That's something I did not know but now good to know. Thanks!

 

[Linus_007]

I would say go with as many circuits as possible. Make sure you identify every circuit in your house on your existing panel. Turn every light and appliance on to make the determination. I used a two-way radio and had someone switch off a circuit to see which area was affected. He would call out the circuit number and I would write down the area affected. Document this information. Get a watt meter and determine the load of the appliances that you want to run. Refrigerators and freezers use a lot of wattage. Since you are going to transfer 220v in two legs to the bypass panel, you need to balance the loads as much as possible. Put your refrigerator on one leg and the microwave oven on another. Take out ALL incandescent lights that you are planning to have on the bypass panel and replace them with LED or Fluorescent lamps. Plan ahead. Really take the time to consider what you need and what you do not need. Example: forget the dishwasher. You can clean plates by hand. If you live in an area where the weather is comfortable do not hook up an air conditioner circuit. It requires two circuits. That is a huge waste of limited circuits. If you have gas heat, and hot water, you are in luck. You will only need the blower fan. The wattage is not too high for a blower. Remember to balance the legs. In the actual install, make sure all of the power in your house is off. Have a few extra circuit breakers on hand. I found a few that were damaged and I needed to replace them. Use caution in matching amperage. Example: Do NOT put a 30 amp circuit breaker on a 20 amp line. Keep the wire runs short and make sure they are not bunched up to tightly. Tightly bound wires heat up and waste power due to inductance. Consider hiring an electrician or someone who knows what they are doing. When you are done have a sheet of paper with the switches on your bypass panel. Let the people in your household use it during a power outage to manage the load. I put the wattages of devices on the circuit so that we know not to run the microwave oven, the heater fan, refrigerator and 2 hair dryers at the same time. That load is close to the max for us. Also consider a start up and shutdown check list for the generator. During an emergency, people tend to miss steps (like putting in the fuel) because of the stress. I have the list available in case my wife needs to start up the system.