Inverter Transfer Project

Since I don"t have an inverter with auto transfer built in, I bought a Iota transfer box and modified it to do what I want. Plug box in to 120V and into inverter, turn inverter on. Plug stove into box and hook up battery. It is a heavy duty setup that will handle a 30 amp load and only draws 65 milliamps during normal power. When power goes out the 120V relay opens and powers up the 70 amp 12V relay which energizes the inverter and transfers the load. The Iota box also has a time delay of 20-30 seconds or can be set to bypass. Just a couple more wires to run and it is ready to hook up...........

Ya I know, I got too much time on my hands.......................

Couple more.........

Markcas123 said:

Cool. How much?

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The Iota 30 amp box was $46.00 and another $25.00 in relays and misc.

Pass the Pellets... said:

Looks like a great idea. Do you have a schematic you could post and list of changes to the transfer switch? Also do you have any recommendations on an inverter.

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I have a schematic but i will wait till it is tested and running.........

Recommended inverter, ya next time I would buy one with transfer switch and charger built in (pure sine of course)...... This is a heavy duty setup that is expandable for multi banks of batteries, since the charger I have will do three banks of batteries

The whole setup I have is bulky compared to the all in one setups you can buy, although they are pricey.........

slow-al said:

Looks like a nice setup, The second pic, did you nick the neutral insulation?

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Where abouts are you seeing that?? I can't see anything in the photo.

macman said:

goatman-68 said:

.....The whole setup I have is bulky compared to the all in one setups you can buy, although they are pricey.........

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Yeah, but you still did a nice job. If you can find a way to hide it, then who really cares as long as it works?

BTW, did you make the mounting board and spray the wrinkle finish paint, or just had it lying around? Nice, neat job.

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Hey Mac,
I had a piece of aluminum laying around and ya, I Wrinkle Finished it. I love that paint but it is getting hard to find.
I even used it on a nice polished aluminum gauge panel I made for my Goat, since it has a red interior, I thought it would blend better than a polished aluminum chunk hanging under the dash.

slow-al said:

goatman-68 said:

slow-al said:

Looks like a nice setup, The second pic, did you nick the neutral insulation?

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Where abouts are you seeing that?? I can't see anything in the photo.

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Your second post second pic, just above the left connector comming in the bottom.

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slow-al
Thanks for the concern. I looked at the 10 megapixel original and it is just the end of the seperator fiber you are seeing.
I will finish it this weekend and hopefully it all works as it should...............

Pass the Pellets... said:

Any updates ? How did the testing go?

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Well, as a matter of fact I tested it on Sunday and just finished hooking it up today. When switching to battery backup it takes about one second to transfer the load, when switching back to mains it is a couple milliseconds. I beleive the one second delay is due to the 120 volt (DC) coil on the main transfer relay, which I think they had to use due to the generator delay circuit, which is either 25 second delay or bypass. Its not the prettiest setup but will be functional. I may move the setup to the basement in the future but, for now it stays where it is..........

I added a light to the circuit to show when the inverter is engaged.
If anyone still wants the schematic I can scan it and post after I make a few changes to it. This project really isn't for everyone, I just had too much time on my hands. L.O.L...............................

Just finished doing a test run on the battery backup. I ran the stove for 5 hours on the 57ah battery and it still was running when I switched back. Stove was running on room temp mode but never shutoff during that time. So at this point I still don't know how much longer it would have run, but suprised me that it ran this long. Granted, if the room blower was on high it may not have run this long, but at least I know now that I can leave it on when I am gone for the day without the house filling with smoke.

Deere10 said:

Just wondering if an Iota DLS-30 will do what your set up does?? Thanks

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That is actually a power (converter) or power supply, not an inverter. That unit can be used as a 12V charger with the addition of the IQ Smart Controller. It takes 120V and converts it to 12VDC

Deere10 said:

Just got an ITS 50 for dirt cheap.. Now whats the process in hooking up to an inverter? I have a 750 watt inverter Just have to get a good deep cycle battery..If you wnna email me thats fine or you can throw out the diagram on the forum.. What ever works for you is good w me.. Thanks

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I'll try and do it tonight, never got around to making a couple revisions on the schematic........