Reliance ProTran 2 Transfer Switch Review & Install: A Quick & Easy Generator Transfer Switch?
If you've ever dealt with power outages or simply wanted a more efficient way to manage the backup power in your home or garage, you've likely considered installing a transfer switch.
While many people go for the basic "plug-and-play" generator hookups you can order on Amazon, the more advanced Reliance ProTran 2 Transfer Switch offers an unparalleled level of functionality and control. In this article, we’ll review this manual 10-circuit transfer switch, explain the installation process we went through to get it up and running in our garage, and explore why it’s a solid choice for anyone serious about managing their backup power effectively.
Let’s get started!
Why the Reliance ProTran 2 Stands Out
When people think of transfer switches, they often imagine the basic setups that connect directly to a solar panel or gas generator. These solutions, while affordable and easy to install, come with significant limitations, including the following:
An All or Nothing Design: These basic setups pull power for everything or nothing at all, leaving no room for selective power management.
Limited Circuit Access: They only feed power to one side of your fuse panel, which may not cover all the circuits you want to back up.
The Reliance ProTran 2 eliminates these issues with its versatile, circuit-specific control. Each switch can toggle individual circuits between the grid and your external gas generator or solar power system, giving you precise control over what gets powered during an outage. This feature allows you to prioritize critical systems like sump pumps, heaters, or specific outlets you rely on, without needing to power everything at once.
What Comes in the Box?
The Reliance ProTran 2 package includes pretty much everything you need for installation, including:
A huge 50-amp cable for connecting to your generator.
A matching socket for the transfer switch.
A flexible conduit and all of the fittings required for a clean installation.
Even if you’re pretty new to this kind of stuff, the fact the kit comes with pretty much everything you need makes installation easier and also makes it possible to achieve a professional-looking final result.
Installation Walkthrough
Installing the Reliance ProTran 2 requires a bit of electrical know-how and some patience, but it’s fairly straightforward if you follow the steps carefully. Here’s an overview of the process when we installed it in the “Old Solar Lab”, aka the garage where we filmed some of our earliest videos.
Step 1: Preparing the Panel
The first step was identifying available knockouts (openings) in the subpanel. These allow you to route wires cleanly between the transfer switch and your existing electrical system. Before starting, always, always SHUT OFF THE POWER to avoid any accidents. I can’t stress this enough. Seriously, don’t risk electrocuting yourself!
When we went through this step, we found that the garage subpanel had one knockout available on the bottom of it, so the transfer switch was mounted directly below it. Some modifications were needed to create a neat, functional setup, including rerouting wires through the back of the panel for a cleaner look.
Step 2: Wiring the Transfer Switch
The transfer switch wiring process involves connecting each circuit you want to manage:
Label the Wires: The Reliance ProTran 2 made this fairly simple because it already features clearly labeled wires (e.g., A, B, C) that correspond to the switches on the unit. So, you just have to write this all down.
Interrupt the Circuit: Each circuit’s black wire was disconnected from the breaker and connected to the black wire from the transfer switch. The red wire from the switch was then connected to the breaker, completing the circuit.
Ground and Neutral Wires: Follow the manual to make sure ground and neutral wires are attached to the corresponding bus bars in the subpanel.
This process is repeated for every circuit you want to manage, whether it's a 240V appliance, like the car hoist I have in the garage, or a standard 120V outlet.
Step 3: Testing the System
Once the wiring was completed, it was time to test. We switched each circuit between "Line" (grid power) and "Gen" (generator power) to confirm proper functionality. In this case, everything worked perfectly, aside from a quirky pre-existing wiring issue unique to the garage. Still, we were able to control individual circuits and supply power to them with an EcoFlow DELTA Pro when we simulated a blackout. Success!
This entire process might seem really complicated in plain text, but if you want to see how straightforward the process was, even for relative newbies like ourselves, check out the video, where we take you through the installation process and all of the trial-and-error that went with it.
Real-World Benefits You Get with the ProTran 2 Transfer Switch
The flexibility you get with the Reliance ProTran 2 is probably its greatest strength. After installing it, we can now enjoy the following:
Energy Savings:
You can run high-energy appliances like heaters on generator power while leaving the rest of your circuits on the grid. For our garage, it’s going to really come in handy during the winter months. We’ll be able to use stored power, rather than grid power, to keep the garage heated. When we need serious power, either to run the lift or compressor, we can then switch back to grid power. This should help keep the utility bills down.
Emergency Preparedness:
In the event of a power outage, being able to simply flip a switch to keep essential systems running, like a well pump or refrigerator, is huge. It helps you avoid wasting all of your stored battery power or burning through too much gas with your generator, as it gives you the ability to pull power just for where you need it.
Customizable Power Management:
With 10 circuits to manage, you can easily balance your energy needs based on generator or battery capacity. It’s just way more flexibility than you would get with a basic, Amazon-style transfer switch.
Our Installation Challenges
While the Reliance ProTran 2 is user-friendly, we’d be lying if we said it was a seamless installation process. The following are just a few challenges that arose when we were getting it wired up and running:
Routing the Conduit: Pulling wires through the included conduit was time-consuming, as it was a really tight squeeze, but it was also worthwhile for a neat, professional final appearance.
Pre-Existing Wiring Quirks: Some circuits in the garage were wired unconventionally, requiring extra troubleshooting. While this was an issue that was specific to this particular garage and whatever the previous owner of the home did when they wired it, any electrician will tell you wiring something in an old house is never going to go as smoothly as it seems in the instruction manuals. If you encounter anything odd, just try not to get frustrated.
These challenges underscore the importance of understanding your home’s electrical system before starting the installation.
Keep in mind that installing a complex transfer switch was a first-time experience for us, so it’s not like we are professional electricians making it look easier than it is.
Our Final Thoughts: Should You Purchase the Reliance ProTran 2 Transfer Switch?
The Reliance ProTran 2 Transfer Switch is a really solid investment for anyone who wants precise control over their backup power. Its ability to toggle circuits individually makes it far superior to basic setups, especially for homes or garages with varied power needs. We’re psyched to have it up and running, especially as it’s going to make it way easier for us to test out power stations in a demanding environment.
While the installation takes some effort, the result is a highly functional and efficient power management system. Whether you're dealing with frequent outages or just want a smarter way to use your gas generator or battery bank, the ProTran 2 delivers.
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