BajaNomad

Back up generator

CaboRon - 8-5-2008 at 05:50 AM

Installing a back up generator ....

Do any of you have experience with this ....

It seems I will need a transfer switch between the electrical service and the generator ......

Evidently this is needed to prevent reverse flow into the grid.

My Question :::
Are these available in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas ?

I am pretty sure I will not find anything like this in Todos Santos .

Any input is appreciated,
Thanks,
CaboRon

bajaguy - 8-5-2008 at 05:53 AM

Ron:

Check out the Northern Tool site:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/catego...

You may be able to get info on the transfer switch

Bob and Susan - 8-5-2008 at 05:56 AM

i JUST looked all over southern california
for one "in stock"...none available

they don't use them too much anymore

I went to a place that sells all that construction stuff in ontario ca
they called all their "buddies"

they can order it but it would tale 2 weeks and i was leaving that day to come home

cutler makes a GREAT one
i have ONE but need another

you may need to purchase it from the internet and have it shipped

if you find one locally please contact me ASAP

CaboRon - 8-5-2008 at 06:31 AM

Thank's for the info Bob&Susan,

Looks like I am in for some driving over the next week ...

I will definately let you know if I find any instock in BCS...

It begins with a trip to El Arco in La Paz .....

The El Arco in Todos Santos has a very limited inventory ...

CaboRon

comitan - 8-5-2008 at 06:54 AM

This is what you need.


http://tinyurl.com/6x8ovl

CaboRon - 8-5-2008 at 07:31 AM

'Thank you Comitan,

Who would have thought to go to e-bay..... They literally have everything for sale it seems.

CAboRon

Bruce R Leech - 8-5-2008 at 07:38 AM

they used to have them in La Paz. I have bought them there before.

comitan - 8-5-2008 at 07:40 AM

Ron I can check El Arco thurs. if you want.

Udo - 8-5-2008 at 08:06 AM

I know home depot in the states carries the 10 circuit transfer switches. They are fairly easy to install. I don't know if Northern Tool will send to Mexico.
Lowes also carries them. I have a standby generator and took me about 3 hours to install the switch.

Bob and Susan - 8-5-2008 at 08:46 AM

gee... i was in both home depot and lowes and found NO transfer swithches

Bob and Susan - 8-5-2008 at 08:58 AM

my transfer switch looks like this

personally... while i like comitans idea...

i think you kinda need a bigger..safer..unit to transfer the load from the city to your generator

imagine if that little thing failed and its only 30 amps

transferswitch.jpg - 8kB

comitan - 8-5-2008 at 09:10 AM

Nice switch Bob now tell us how much it cost.:lol::lol:

bajalou - 8-5-2008 at 09:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan

imagine if that little thing failed and its only 30 amps


30 amps at 240V - what would the rating be at 120V?

comitan - 8-5-2008 at 09:33 AM

The ebay switch will handle a 6.6KW generator.

oldlady - 8-5-2008 at 09:37 AM

CaboRon,
El Arco may have them; I don't know. But our contractor bought ours at one of the electrical supply stores on 5 de Febrero. It is 200 amps and cost approximately $500 USD.
Good Luck.
ol

CaboRon - 8-5-2008 at 02:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan

imagine if that little thing failed and its only 30 amps


30 amps at 240V - what would the rating be at 120V?


It means two -120v circuits ..... total load capacity 60 amps at 30 amperes per hot leg.

CaboRon

Bob and Susan - 8-5-2008 at 03:24 PM

that's what i think...so...

it's still only 30 amps

i do like the idea but not large enough for current from the city

i got mine for a song from losfrailes here on the board

the new one will cost $549 in the states

i might be able to run both inverter setups on the one
but i'm afraid of the common wire between both inverters
so
i need another transfer switch to handel the 25k genset

i didn't realize the automatic transfer switches were as cheap as they are
might need to do more research

losfrailes - 8-5-2008 at 06:06 PM

Here is what Lowes has:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&am...

and this from HomeDepot:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?ke...

CaboRon - 8-5-2008 at 08:18 PM

I want to thank everyone who responded .....

Your comments have been a great help.

CaboRon

bajamikey - 8-6-2008 at 01:23 PM

check out wahoo rv in sjdc they should be able to help you