Generator Auto-Start: ST switch
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2023
- This is a video that I shot a few years ago but never posted. I did a test to see if you can use the 30Amp output of the Westinghouse generator with the auto start, ST automatic transfer switch. It worked for me but its usefulness would depend on your particular situation. Not the intended use and try this at your own risk. Note: I did not show it but I think a better way to do this would be to keep the ST switch on the 30 Amp outlet. Then use the ST switch to power a few critical things like the fridge and freezer. Then use the 50Amp outlet to hook up the house panel via a manual transfer switch.
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Your channel by far is the BEST prepper content I've seen. Thanks for posting your great ideas and content, you are appreciated!
Well thank you very much Jaden. I really appreciate that. :)
Thank you! I like to see that other people have been working with this system! I have a small, 120volt, 4 circuit manual transfer switch I could actually use the 120v outlet on, still it's nice to see the 30/50 amp options! My main frustration is that the Smart Port is only on "dumb" generators. Would love to see this option on the 4500 inverter model. That way I wouldn't have to worry about dirty power to the electronics.
Yah, the dirty power is the only real drawback on this generator. That's why I only use it to charge my battery bank. Thanks!
Very cool experiment. Glad you know what you're doing.😄👍
Thanks!
thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you for sharing your videos!! What if you use the normal procedures (connections) and then add the 50 amp outlet to connect to your home transfer switch? So the ST switch would also shut it off the 50 amp outlet once the utility returns.
Fantastic video, thank you. What will happen to the 50 A outlet on the generator. Will it work the same way as the 20 A once the generator is started by the ST Switch?
I believe the 50A outlet will be active once the generator is started by the ST switch. Thanks!
Great test, thank you. Does anyone know if there is a way to use the ST swtich for an off-grid system, spesifically to have the generator trun on when my solar powered battery bank runs low?
You could build a circuit to make that happen by switching the power to the switch based on voltage level of the battery. EcoFlow does this with their system. Thanks!
Is there some kind of switch that automatically turn the generator when the battery backup is low ? Let’s say the batteries reach 20% and then the generator turns on.
I'm wondering the same thing Abdullah. There has to be a low voltage generator auto start switch...
Same question. Looking for a voltage sensing relay to make this happen. Please share if you find something, I'll do same
I don't know of any off the shelf product like this but you could make one. I might make one if I get a chance... I know that the EcoFlow system has this built in. Thanks!
Eg4 chargeverter . Ive been told anyways. Im about to embark myself
I've been trying to figure out a way to do something somewhat similar curious if you have any ideas. I live fully off grid. No connection to main power just a solar and battery set up. I've been trying to find ways to interface my westinghouse generator with the system. It's not good for the batteries to sit empty though since I have lithium phosphate ones it's not the end of the world for short periods of time. I've thought about basically coding my own little widget to output the start up ans turn off codes but that's a lot of work do you have any idea how I might be able to do that. I do have a read out that can output a signal when the amps drop to a certain level I'm just figuring out the easiest way to get that signal to start the generator
OK, Just thinking out load here... Lets say you have a low current signal out that is either 0 volts (battery < 20% SOC) and 5 volts (battery >80% SOC). You take that to an opto-isolated relay (and maybe you need to take that to a bigger relay that can handle more power). Then that switches AC power to the ST-Switch. Then you run out the 30Amp circuit to a box that you connect your battery charger to. When your system reaches 20% SOC the power to the ST-Switch is cut, generator starts and charges your battery bank to 80%. Maybe this gives you some ideas, not advice, do your own research.
If you have it hooked to your panel won't it back feed the grid, or are you off grid?
I use a transfer switch
Aren't you going to be running on battery power during an outage? I have a rack of Lifepower4 batteries and a 12k inverter and will only get out my Honda generator for recharging the batteries. I also bought a Chargeverter to send that power directly to the busbars.
Yes, you have it exactly right. I am only doing this to show how this switch works. Thanks!
Following
I just bought this setup and the switch does not work as described. It will not start/stop the generator. Amazon sent a replacement and it doesn't work, either. Any ideas? I am connecting everything correctly.
You have the run/stop switch on? Does it try to crank or nothing?
The generator runs fine, it's just that the switch does not communicate with it. All switches are on, the cables are hooked up correctly. The green light will be on. When I pull the extension cord, it goes out and the red light comes on, but nothing happens. I can start the gen mnually and the red light goes out and the gen green light comes on. When I plug the extension cord back in, the green lights switch, but the engine does not turn off.
@@howardbarlow578 In that case I suspect the generator has an issue. I would start by checking the pins on the generators connector. Make sure none got pushed in and the connection is not being made.
Holy $hit, how much cash do you have invested in Solar equipment? Will you ever get a ROI before the panels wear out??
I have $28,000 (after 30% tax credit) in the system but I built it myself so that's all hardware. I save about $200/month and I have been running it for 7 years so I have saved about $17,000 so far. The panels when new put out about 12,500 watts and currently put out about 11,000 Watts so I don't see them wearing out any time soon. That said, ROI is not the reason I installed it, I am mostly interested in being self sufficient. I have my own power, water and sewer completely independent of the utilities.
I do everything manually
I have to admit that in the past three years I have never used this switch in a real life situation. That's mainly because we have battery backed solar and usually don't even know when the power goes out. As a former Robotics Engineer I love to automate things but in my personal life I still prefer manual control. For example, I completely automated my entire garden's watering system (7 circuits) but always end up controlling it manually.
@HomesteadEngineering I'm not a engineer, but I love automation. I got my chickens laying early because I have a light going on at 4am in the morning to train the chickens to lay early lol
Wait..do I have this right, you figured out how to auto start your generator but you still have to flip a switch to get it to run something..so the generator is running not powering anything or for not reason until you flip the switch.. ???????????? you are so over my skies..but that seems to be a no go..lol
Yes, you are correct and its not the greatest but some folks may find it useful for their specific situation. This video was in response to a lot of questions I got about this switch. Most folks, including me, don't like that it only provides a single 120V circuit at 20A via the ST-Switch that is fully automatic. They asked if it was possible to run the 240V, 30Amp circuit while using the auto start feature. I think you could run your most critical circuits like fridge, freezer, CPAP machine, etc. off the 120V, 20A circuit and that would be automatically started and backed up. At the same time you could also tap off the 50A circuit for you main panel but that would have to be manually switched. Thanks!
A plus would be that even if you have to flip the manual transfer switch over to generator power, you can do so, inside. Where's dry. And warm. And also dry. The ST- Switch would kick on the generator outside, so now you don't have to do anything other take a 10 second walk to the panel and flip over a couple of circuits. at 3am during a hurricane or blizzard, I'll take that as a win.
Need auto transfer switch to your 30 amp breaker box
Yes, What we really need here is a ST-Switch that uses the 30Amp circuit to its full capacity. Thanks!
aren't they really expensive too?