Inverter GFI & bonded panel

[stevo]

I see in my 24v, 1000 watt, Go Power inverter's owners manual, that supplying a transfer switch hooked to my bonded 200 amp (grid) panel will cause the inverter's GFI to trip. After looking around it seems there are a few solutions. Such as, pay about $450 for an "isolation transformer" or buy the very nice Outback inverter with built in isolation transformer" for something around $1700, way to big for my set up. OR, (not that I would do this) swap out the GFI and install a regular outlet. Wouldn't It cause about as much of a hazard as in the old days before we had GFIs? I know that would be far to risky as kids these days are always sticking their tongues into light sockets.

[Sunking]

I see in my 24v, 1000 watt, Go Power inverter's owners manual, that supplying a transfer switch hooked to my bonded 200 amp (grid) panel will cause the inverter's GFI to trip.

Well I hope so. You just bought the wrong Inverter to be used with TS. Sorry Steve you just gotta bite the bullet, you screwed up. It is your mistake to fix.

[inetdog]

I see in my 24v, 1000 watt, Go Power inverter's owners manual, that supplying a transfer switch hooked to my bonded 200 amp (grid) panel will cause the inverter's GFI to trip. After looking around it seems there are a few solutions. Such as, pay about $450 for an "isolation transformer" or buy the very nice Outback inverter with built in isolation transformer" for something around $1700, way to big for my set up. OR, (not that I would do this) swap out the GFI and install a regular outlet. Wouldn't It would cause about as much of a hazard as in the old days before we had GFIs? I know that would be far to ricky as kids these days are always sticking their tongues into light sockets.

The simple, and NEC compliant option is to use a three pole transfer switch that also switches the neutral conductor.
That way when the MTS or ATS is on the generator position the ground to neutral bond in your main panel will not be part of the circuit.

Even if you bypass the GFCI on the AC output, having one bond at the inverter and one at the breaker panel would still be a code violation and could cause you to fail inspection.

[stevo]

What about one of these plugged into each GFI? They are about $65 on Amazon, maybe I could get the system up and running with these anyway.

" PROwatt SWInline Transfer RelayAn easy to mount 15A Inline Transfer Relay provides switching between generator and inverter AC source. It comes with a power plug for convenient connection to the inverter GFCI and a hardwire cord for the AC input and output interface. It is available as an accessory to the Prowatt SW product line.

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Inline-Transfer-Relay-PROwatt/dp/B004S5Y158/ref=sr_1_62?ie=UTF8&qid=1325859307&sr=8-62

[inetdog]

What about one of these plugged into each GFI? They are about $65 on Amazon, maybe I could get the system up and running with these anyway.

" PROwatt SWInline Transfer RelayAn easy to mount 15A Inline Transfer Relay provides switching between generator and inverter AC source. It comes with a power plug for convenient connection to the inverter GFCI and a hardwire cord for the AC input and output interface. It is available as an accessory to the Prowatt SW product line.

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Inline...859307&sr=8-62

The "inline transfer switch" seems to be designed to work with a single branch circuit, not a panel feeder, and it is not clear from the info on that page whether or not it transfers the neutral too. One review indicates that it does.
If it does, it would work for one GFCI protected branch circuit.

[stevo]

The "inline transfer switch" seems to be designed to work with a single branch circuit, not a panel feeder, and it is not clear from the info on that page whether or not it transfers the neutral too. One review indicates that it does.
If it does, it would work for one GFCI protected branch circuit.

Thanks, maybe someone around here has tried one. I'll investigate a little more.