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One set of outlets, two sources of power
A transfer switch hands your AC circuits between sources — shore power when you're plugged in, inverter when you're not — automatically, so nothing gets backfed and nobody rewires anything at the dock.
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| Device | Rating | How it works | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victron Filax 2 | 16A | Switches AC loads between two sources in a blink when the primary appears or drops | Boats and RVs running a separate inverter and charger | $287.30 |
Running a MultiPlus or Quattro? The transfer switch is already built in — the Filax is for systems pairing a separate inverter with a charger. Shore-power corrosion questions? See the galvanic isolator.
Do you need one? Three questions
What's switching, how fast it needs to happen, and where it sits in the panel.
Do I even need a transfer switch?
If your inverter and charger are separate devices sharing the same outlets, yes — something has to decide which source feeds the loads, and doing it manually invites mistakes. If a MultiPlus or Quattro anchors your system, it already handles this internally and you can skip this page entirely.
Why does switching speed matter?
The Filax 2's party trick is speed — the changeover is fast enough that clocks keep time, routers stay online, and TVs don't reboot when shore power appears or disappears. Slower switching works for simple loads; electronics on board are why fast matters.
Will 16A cover my loads?
Add up what actually runs on the switched circuits — 16A covers a healthy set of outlets and small appliances, but not everything on a big boat. Loads above that usually point to an inverter/charger with a heavier internal transfer switch. Send us your AC panel layout and we'll confirm the fit.
Why buy from Blue Marine
True Blue Victron distributor
Warranty and setup support handled by us, not a ticket queue.
ABYC-certified advisors
AC systems reward careful planning — we'll review yours before you buy.
Free US shipping over $49
Fast shipping from Seattle and 60-day returns on non-lithium items.
Real people, real boats
Call (800) 628-6306 Mon–Sat.
Sorting out your AC plan?
Tell us your inverter, charger, and what runs on shore power — we'll confirm whether the Filax fits or whether an inverter/charger with a built-in transfer switch is the smarter architecture.
Transfer switch FAQ
What does a transfer switch actually do?
It connects your AC loads to one power source at a time and swaps between them automatically — typically shore power when available, inverter when not. That keeps two sources from ever feeding the same circuits at once, which protects your gear and anyone working on the system.
Do I need one with a MultiPlus or Quattro?
No — Victron's inverter/chargers have a transfer switch built in, and it's one of the best reasons to choose one. The standalone Filax is for systems where the inverter and charger are separate boxes, or where a legacy setup needs automatic switching added.
How fast does the Filax 2 switch?
Fast enough that most electronics never notice — clocks keep time and routers stay up through the changeover. That's its main advantage over basic relay-style switches, which can drop loads long enough to reboot anything sensitive.
Can it switch between generator and shore power?
It switches between two AC inputs, so generator-to-inverter or shore-to-inverter arrangements are its natural home. For more complex source hierarchies — shore plus generator plus inverter — tell us the full picture and we'll sketch the right architecture; sometimes that's a Quattro with its two AC inputs.
Should an electrician install it?
It wires into your AC system, so the work should meet the standards your insurer and jurisdiction expect — many owners have a marine electrician handle the panel connections even on an otherwise DIY build. We're glad to review the wiring plan either way.