Instead of PowerShare, I installed an interlock and 50amp receptacle...

[Beetlebug62]

... originally the plan was to install a PowerShare for auto-switching to the CT's battery when the power goes out; but when I looked in March, when I bought my CT, there were no certified installers in my state. So, I looked into putting in an interlock on my utility panel, and installing a 50amp receptacle to manually power the house.

I installed my own NEMA 14-50 outlet back in 2016 for my Tesla, and this install looks to be about the same difficulty, but I had an electrician coming over to wire an outlet for a water heater, so I asked him to do it.

I ordered the AC Works kit, which is just the 50amp receptacle and a 15ft cord:

The electrician moved one dual breaker for the range, in the upper right to the bottom, and added the generator interlock to my panel, and mounted the receptacle.

I plugged in my cord:

And plugged it in. You can see my NEMA 14-50 outlet on the right side of the doors, that I installed for my EV charger years ago. $85 in parts!

This will replace my old standby generator that died after 12yrs. I could have bought a new one, but it wasn't as convenient as I was hoping. Pricey, and required annual maintenance and I had to keep the propane tanks filled.

This setup isn't auto-switching, but I hope it's more reliable and requires less storm preparation. Of course, I could also get a regular 40amp gas generator as backup to the CT, if necessary, that uses the same plug for a little over $1000. I turned the utility power off, and switched the panel to the CT, and turned the power back on, and everything works great! Very happy with this simple project. It's very DIY-able, if you don't need a permit.

Now, I'll have the quietest generator in the neighborhood!

Edit: very cool to see so many others who have done similarly. Many of us have experienced the Tesla premium you have to pay when installing an EV charger. Okay, I didn't since I installed my own, but just reading about others' experiences, and now with PowerShare install estimates, being so high; it's a relief to have something installed, that is generic.

This is just a 50amp generator receptacle with interlock. Lots of homes have a portable generator for power outages. These are very basic and don't require specialized knowledge, and the electrician might not even know you have an EV. It's the same install if you use a 10,000+ watt gas generator . And as noted, you can buy yourself a 10,000+ watt generator as a backup for your CT.

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[mstatkus]

Cool, yeah that was going to be my plan B to keep my garage/shop online if my PowerShare install got too pricy. For me it was a mix of updating the wall connector run, un-jiggering 1971 common/ground and the electrictian even found one of my main leads done in the 80‘s was just resting on the terminal at the meter resulting in a hum.
But I used a bit of TSLA to pay for it at the time and got lucky with the ups and downs of the stock price. Trucks already backed up my house for 18hrs this year just due to people driving into transformers down the road, my transformer failing, and 2 line faults underground as well as 6hrs of scheduled maintenance.

 

[Gyzz]

It is not possible/legal to use the already installed NEMA 14-50 to sent the power back to the main Switch board, i know the gen 3 mobile connector seems to only can supply 2.4kw but saves more cables?

 

[Beetlebug62]

It is not possible/legal to use the already installed NEMA 14-50 to sent the power back to the main Switch board, i know the gen 3 mobile connector seems to only can supply 2.4kw but saves more cables?

Right, I have the new 50amp receptacle on the left side of my doors, and the NEMA 14-50 on the right side of my doors. I have a 3rd party EV charger plugged into it.

 

[REM]

I installed this exact setup. If you have older large ducted air conditioning, you will need to install a soft-start as a best practice. The Truck can LRA surge more than 100 amps, but very briefly of course.

You may want to consider changing to a 50 amp breaker as well, since the truck is capable of sustaining 40 amps continuous.

May I also suggest tagging a reminder on both ends of the plug with a warning to not disconnect while energized. Also a good idea to tag out your steering wheel, as your truck only pops up an intermediate level alert about something being plugged into the bed outlet., whereas when plugged into the NACS port, you can't shift into gear.

 

[Beetlebug62]

I installed this exact setup. If you have older large ducted air conditioning, you will need to install a soft-start as a best practice. The Truck can LRA surge more than 100 amps, but very briefly of course.

You may want to consider changing to a 50 amp breaker as well, since the truck is capable of sustaining 40 amps continuous.

May I also suggest tagging a reminder on both ends of the plugs with a warning to not disconnect while energized.

Well, whadyaknow, I didn't even look at the breaker the electrician installed! He'll be back, and I'll get him to swap it for a 50amp. All good tips!

 

[Aces-Truck]

Some similarity on my new garage. It's indoors where the 50A receptacle will live. And i have a transfer switch, with interlock, to allow me to use a gas generator outside the garage, for longer outages.

I'm still working the drywall now. But I hope to be finialed in a month. One cool thing is that I added a 14-50 outlet, outside the garage, to be able to charge friends EV's. Since the exterior is finished, I am able to energize that port. So, today I charged our CT & MY at home for the first time ever!

 

[Crissa]

Nice, simple lock out! Does it have a specific name/brand?

Thank you for sharing.

-Crissa

 

[Marty88]

... originally the plan was to install a PowerShare for auto-switching to the CT's battery when the power goes out; but when I looked in March, when I bought my CT, there were no certified installers in my state. So, I looked into putting in an interlock on my utility panel, and installing a 50amp receptacle to manually power the house.

I installed my own NEMA 14-50 outlet back in 2016 for my Tesla, and this install looks to be about the same difficulty, but I had an electrician coming over to wire an outlet for a water heater, so I asked him to do it.

I ordered the AC Works kit, which is just the 50amp receptacle and a 15ft cord:

The electrician moved one dual breaker for the range, in the upper right to the bottom, and added the generator interlock to my panel, and mounted the receptacle.

I plugged in my cord:

And plugged it in. You can see my NEMA 14-50 outlet on the right side of the doors, that I installed for my EV charger years ago. $85 in parts!

This will replace my old standby generator that died after 12yrs. I could have bought a new one, but it wasn't as convenient as I was hoping. Pricey, and required annual maintenance and I had to keep the propane tanks filled.

This setup isn't auto-switching, but I hope it's more reliable and requires less storm preparation. Of course, I could also get a regular 40amp gas generator as backup to the CT, if necessary, that uses the same plug for a little over $1000. I turned the utility power off, and switched the panel to the CT, and turned the power back on, and everything works great! Very happy with this simple project. It's very DIY-able, if you don't need a permit.

Now, I'll have the quietest generator in the neighborhood!

My set up also:


Exactly, California & Texas should all get a Cybertruck for their utility BLACK OUTS

 

[BeachDweller]

I did something similar.
I had my utility install a Generlok (now Trifecta) meter that has a plug and transfer switch built in.
I can use my CT or my 12.5kw generator to power parts of my house during outages.
Always want to be prepared here on the coast!

 

[Beetlebug62]

Nice, simple lock out! Does it have a specific name/brand?

Thank you for sharing.

-Crissa

Actually, the lockout depends upon your utility box. You need to find the brand of utility box you have, and then search for an interlock for it.

 

[Outlaw1]

Actually, the lockout depends upon your utility box. You need to find the brand of utility box you have, and then search for an interlock for it.

Correct. My utility box listed the part number for the main breaker hold down kit on the inside of the panel cover.

 

[ViralTesla]

I did this, and only issue I was having is if I kick on the air conditioning it would create a fault in the CT. I would have to go and reset it and try again. Sometimes the AC worked , most times it didn’t. But if I left my AC off it would power everything else in my house no problem. Anyone else experience this?

 

[kpanda17]

maybe add

 

[REM]

I did this, and only issue I was having is if I kick on the air conditioning it would create a fault in the CT. I would have to go and reset it and try again. Sometimes the AC worked , most times it didn’t. But if I left my AC off it would power everything else in my house no problem. Anyone else experience this?

Does your a/c unit have a soft start installed?

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