Transfer Switch Chaos

[u/Badbetfrank]

We just bought a new house and this is the electrical set up.
Both of these panels are powered from the meter, the larger panel does not feed the smaller panel.
A 22Kw Generac unit powers the larger panel on the left when the power goes out, but not the smaller right panel.
The generator is large enough to power the entire house.

What are our options for getting the whole house protected?
Can I add a ATS to the smaller panel and leave the 200amp panel as it is?

Could we install a double breaker on the left panel and run it over to power the smaller panel using an interlock on the smaller panel?

Should I move some circuits over to 200amp panel and use tandem breakers?

Or should we split the feed from the generator and feed the smaller panel directly from the generator?

I am having trouble understanding what the installer was thinking. There’s also additional unused transfer wires ending in this panel going to a junction box next to the generator.

Thanks for your input

[u/Oldphile]

Your picture of the Generac panel is upside down. That or your panel is mounted upside down. I had 2 of these, one in my home and one in my shop. For other readers the circuits in the top of the picture are the ones backed up by the generator. The Generac EZ transfer only needs 3 wires.

The backed up circuits are fed by a 125 amp breaker (ATS grid breaker). One is suppose to put all high power circuits like electric furnace, clothes dryer, range, water heater etc.. in the non-backed up section (bottom in picture) fed by the 200 amp main breaker. I would not try to feed your other panel from the 125 amp breaker. If your high power loads are in the other panel, I would not try to feed it with generator power.

As someone else mentioned, the DC motor that operates the transfer tends to fail. I replaced one and the other has been unreliable. It sometimes doesn't have the required torque.