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How does the Main Breaker Box get it's power?

 

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The Automatic Transfer Switch

This is where the magic happens. Note above that there are 13 lugs across the middle of the box. The far right lug is the Chassis Ground. That leaves 12 lugs, or 3 groups of 4. Each group has, from left to right: 1,Ground; 2, Hot 2; 3, Neutral,or Common; and 4, Hot 1.

I think the way that the switch works is there is a gnome that lives behind the lugs. When the generator comes on he throws a switch that directs the power to move from the respective lugs on the GenSet bank to the Main bank. The power is now sent to 2 different places. The wires at positions 1, 3 and 4 feed the Main Breaker Box. The wires at postitions 1 and 2 and a seperate Common feed power to the rear AC. Remember, you have 2 breakers on the genset a 30 and a 20.

When you plug into shore power the gnome throws the switch the other way and power is now directed from shore power to main. It takes positions 1, 3 and 4 that come from the power cord and send them to the Main Breaker box. It now receives power back from a breaker on the main at position 2 and feeds this back to the rear AC. It took me a while to figure this one out and the damn gnome wouldn't help at all, but trust me, it works.

Now, a caution here. This is a Todd Engineering ATS, it is a 120/240 volt box and required no chages to work. Todd is no longer in business so there is no support for this beast. Winnebago now uses Magnatec and I know nothing about them, but, they are still in business and you should be able to get help. You may have to buy a new one, that will accept 50 amp. Check with an RV repair service. NEXT