Daisy Chain Two Generac Automatic Transfer Switches to Feed Two 200A Panels with One 24kW Generator

This video shows how to power two 200A panels by daisy-chaining two Generac Automatic Transfer Switches and powering with one 24kW Generac air-cooled generator.
I also show how I reduce electrical loads while running on generator power by installing soft starters on my heats pumps (4-ton and 2.5-ton) and bypassing the auxiliary heater strips in my upstairs air handler using the Automatic Transfer Switch auxiliary power switch.
Auxiliary heat for our downstairs unit is from propane as it is dual-fuel.
The Micro-Air EasyStart soft starters significantly reduce inrush amps when the heat pumps start up. The 4-ton unit start-up inrush amperage was reduced from about 110A to 35A, and it pulls just under 10A when running. The 2.5-ton unit inrush amps were reduced from about 60A to 24A and pulls just under 5A when running.
Our oven and stovetop are gas, and that helps to reduce our overall electrical load. We do have two 50-gallon electric hot water tanks that pull about 17A each when heating.
A brief section of the video discusses separating grounds and neutrals in the 200A panels because they become sub-panels if an Automatic Transfer Switch is installed. Here’s my favorite video on why it’s important to separate grounds and neutrals in sub-panels: • Sub Panels Explained -...
Here is the link to Generac’s schematic for daisy-chaining Automatic Transfer Switches. I could not find this on Generac’s website. I called Generac customer service to get it. drive.google.c...
Here is a link to my video detailing how I installed Micro-Air EasyStart soft-starters in my Trane heat pumps: Micro-Air EasyStart Soft Starter Externally Mounted Installed on Trane XR Heat Pump
• Micro-Air EasyStart So...
Generac’s video for setting the dual selector switch for NG or LP depending on your fuel type: • Fuel Conversion

[@andrewthomas1000]

Thanks for the video, I asked my electrician about doing this and he had never come across this installation situation. Sent the video over and he now feels OK about it 😊

[@willhancock1992]

I’m glad you found this video useful. I found technical support at Generac very helpful should your electrician have any questions.

[@ACAMPS.HITHOUSE]

If your just an average guy doing this you did a great job I actually install Genracs for a living u probably saved a few thousand dollars but I didn’t see much wrong with this install besides having your Gen wire in emt conduits I actually came here because I forgot how to setup a dual transfer switch I’ve done them in the past but that’s been a few years ago so this was very informative

[@willhancock1992]

Thanks for the comment! The generator wire is not in conduit. That’s actually generator wire from Generac with gray sheathing. Unless you are talking about something else that I’m possibly misunderstanding.

[@sevendust07660]

Can you terminate two cables on the same lug for the emergence feed in?

[@randy8321]

Heat strip will still come on when the unit defrost, because the condenser will tell it to come on.

[@willhancock1992]

Ah, good catch! I should have been more clear in my description. The whites from the thermostat and condenser are connected, so the wire I ran to the ATS auxiliary switch cuts out the signal from the condenser as well. Thanks for commenting.