Green horn with Xantrex 5548/generator questions. Help, please...

showmeshowme Registered Users Posts: 85 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1

I'm looking at back up generators right now, and have found a few full house and commercial/industrial models that I believe are good possibilities. I've searched for gensets that include the transfer switch, wanting to avoid adding the price of a new one and getting one that is already compatible with the generator. The other day it dawned on me that every diagram that I see for hypothetical scenarios have nothing noted about transfer switches. Do the SW5548's need a transfer switch, or does the inverter handle that job as well?

I'm looking at a genset that was used solely as a backup for a communications tower, and was only cranked up for weekly test runs and maintenance checks. (11kw Generac Olympia, LP and a Generac "residential back up" type. The Olympia has been well maintained, and comes in the shed it's been in since the beginning of it's career, along with the transfer switch and a 500 gallon tank. So, do I need the switch or not?

"Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do."   Goethe

NOS Trace Xantrex power panel, (3) Trace Xantrex SW5548's (2 NOS in boxes, one used), Xantrex DC/disconnect, AC disconnect/conversion, Xantrex T240 Auto transformer, (3) C40 PWM charge controllers, (2 NOS, one used)  8k LG Neon 320w, (8)Evergreen  Solar 120w (960w)  , Bergey XL.1 1.5k genny, AirX 400 genny, 48v Interstate Workman batts (frozen/toast), (2) MT Solar Top of Pole 12's, (2) Midnite Solar MSPV 4 combiner boxes, (2) Midnite Solar Classic 150's and one nice Ozark hilltop to set them all.


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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    You should search for the manual on-line.  The SW5548 does have a 120VAC transfer switch but that will be the weak link in the old SW that has been obsolete a long time. Very few spare parts now. People who repair them cannibalize used units so you have to keep that in mind. Good Luck
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
     http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
    E-mail [email protected]

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  • showmeshowme Registered Users Posts: 85 ✭✭
    #3
    I have the manual, and the two I'm getting (the old one will be back up unit) are NIB, NOS. What I need to know is- do I need to buy a backup genset with a transfer switch, or no? Per the obsolete SW's, you may not know that there are plenty of them still running strong after all these years. And mine will be straight out of the box, "obsolete" or not. Now... anybody else have an answer to the question?

    "Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do."   Goethe

    NOS Trace Xantrex power panel, (3) Trace Xantrex SW5548's (2 NOS in boxes, one used), Xantrex DC/disconnect, AC disconnect/conversion, Xantrex T240 Auto transformer, (3) C40 PWM charge controllers, (2 NOS, one used)  8k LG Neon 320w, (8)Evergreen  Solar 120w (960w)  , Bergey XL.1 1.5k genny, AirX 400 genny, 48v Interstate Workman batts (frozen/toast), (2) MT Solar Top of Pole 12's, (2) Midnite Solar MSPV 4 combiner boxes, (2) Midnite Solar Classic 150's and one nice Ozark hilltop to set them all.


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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    I have used them since the late 80's when they were Trace. If you have the manual you would know that there is a transfer switch built-in, as I said above. ;)
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
     http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
    E-mail [email protected]

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