Feedback Requested - PowerShare, Charger and Breaker Box Related Dilemma

[DoberManPin-Sure]

After a late June delivery, I'm still debating what to do on the home charger/PowerShare front and could really use some feedback/advice from owners more experienced in these matter than me (i.e., probably all of you).

FACTS:

• I have a Foundation Series Beast, which entitles me to either: (a) a $4K PowerShare installation credit or (b) a $2.5K Tesla Store voucher.
• I already have a 24K Generac natural gas generator, so PowerShare would be a back-up to our existing electricity back-up. (Honestly, it feels like overkill, but I hate to waste the credit and ideally want the home charger that come with it.)
• Between 4-hours of free charging at my office and periodic supercharger visits, I've not felt inconvenienced not having a charger at home. But, I a home charger provides more freedom and flexibility.
• My breaker box is in my 1-car garage (aka my CrossFit gym) but I park in the 2-car garage, so it would be close to $10K to run the charger line to where I park vs. parking outside to charge.
• I went thru Qmerit and have a local contractor quote, which (of course) was $1.5K above my $4K credit.
• Only after I accept the quote, the contractor said I need to replace my residential grade breaker boxes and quoted $6K ("highly discounted") for that work. This post-quote feedback feels like a sketchy upsell opportunity, as that feedback could have been conveyed pre-quote. They had my breaker box pics and did a home visit. They've since lowered the quote to ~$4K (on top of the Qmerit charges) since I pushed back . . . further raising my suspicions.
• My breaker box is 18 years old, but I've had a second one installed to power a sauna. Neither the sauna-related electrician or the Generac installer questioned the quality of my breaker box(es). Qmerit's contractor says I need to go to all copper system or I risk burning it up.
• I have a natural gas dryer, so that electric plug is unutilized currently. That seems like a Plan B if I can route a cable between utility and 2-car garage.
• If that dryer plug Plan B is inadequate or not recommended and I opt to skip the PowerShare route (which is where I'm leaning), then I'd probably still want a Tesla charger installed, but I'd not have the $4K credit and don't know what that might cost out-of-pocket.
• I've read lots of complaints about the Tesla store being out of stock, so people are struggling to spend all their one-time-use credit within the deadline (1-year?). So, this option seems to come with its own issues.

QUESTIONS:

1. PowerShare?: Even ignoring all the breaker box and other questions, should I even consider PowerShare in light of having a relatively new natural gas generator that powers the entire house (2 HVAC systems, pool equipment, sauna, etc.)?
2. Being Scammed?: Does it seem like the Qmerit contractor is trying to take advantage of an electrical system noob? It feels like it to me.
3. Breaker Box Replacement Required?: Has anyone else been told they need to replace their residential-grade breaker boxes for the PowerShare and/or a Tesla charging system? The facts above suggest this is b/s, but I could be wrong.
4. Dryer Outlet?: Is this a viable option as a worst case alternative to the work and supercharger charging I'm already doing w/o any real inconvenience? Charge rate would presumably be better than the worthless 110V plug, but also slower than a Tesla home charger.
5. Outdoor Charger Installation: Are there any issues/variables that make this a suboptimal option besides weather?
6. Other?: Are there any other issues I should be considering and/or questions I should be asking?

Apologies for the wordy post and multiple question. As my mom used to say, I need to "sh#t or get off the pot" as to these options, and I'm currently at a loss as to what to do. #FirstWorldProblems

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

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[smcnaughton829]

I can’t answer your question if PowerShare is good for you or not. I can tell you what happened to me and my setup and you can decide for yourself if it’s something you want or not.
First off I have no lCE cars now. I have 3 Tesla gen 3 wall chargers one being the UWC all on load sharing. I have a whole house generator backup, solar but no powerwall.
I missed the 4k power share install credit by a week so let’s not even talk about that, still upset but what can you do? So the whole install came out of my pocket.
I have a 200 amp panel but I specifically asked for a whole house backup since Tesla said the truck can do it, so that’s what I wanted.
I was given a lower price the first time around after they did all the visits and photos. But after a week was notified that they can’t do the whole house because of my generator.
After some back and forth and me just saying flat out Tesla said it can be done so do it type of thing, they gave me a new higher quote.
After talking with a few other electricians about the increased price, besides the Qmerits fee added on top of the price I agreed to it.
What they did and this is me not an electrician trying to explain was basically made my main panel into a sub panel and then installed the gateway as my main panel. Rewired both panels and the wire coming in from the street into the panels. Moved my existing breaker for my WC into the new gateway as well as putting in a new 200 amp breaker into the gateway.
The generator has a cut out switch, sorry forgot the real name for it and that’s in the “nee” sub panel. So to use the generator I have to turn off the 200 amp breaker in the subpanel before it will let me turn on the generator. That’s my setup. Truck is the main backup and when it’s out of power or when I want to run my generator I still can but with a few extra steps.
Now about charging at home. I charge 2 of my 3 Tesla’s at home, every night. It’s great it works, I’m very happy. I can charge the 3rd Tesla but I still have a little over a year left of free supercharging so don’t really charge it at home.
I’m so glad I have a charger for each car, even one that isn’t used much. The option is there and I’m glad it is. Totally worth it. 2 of my chargers are outside and the 3rd is in the garage.
I have read people having that dryer plug (hmm 14-50) I think it is installed. They say it’s cheap and from what I have read they say it works. However unless you have some kind of cut out switch it’s very bad. So that’s something to think about if you want to go that direction. Not to code. Another issues I have read with this option is you need to keep turning on the plug ever 12 hours. Forgive me if my number is wrong, I’m going by memory and I am not young anymore, I’m sure someone knows the exact time before the plugs turns off, I don’t.
Breaker box replacement, yeah that’s something I would question. Even my setup didn’t need to replace the break box. They had to rewire it, but not replace it.
I have also read since there as so few Tesla authorized installers there has been questions about price gouging and upselling. I would say look on Teslas website and see if you can find another installers in your area and get a quote from him.
So your main point that is PowerShare something you would be happy with, well I’m just looking at everything you have to backup and I can tell you the truck will not give you enough power to run your house like the generator will. You would definitely have to unload a few things if your truck is powering your house. I can’t run my ACs with the truck, but I can with the generator. I’m sure your electrician can tell you the major appliances you would have to unload for PowerShare to work.
But the main reason I got it was in an extended power outage, the more options I have to run my house the better I would be.
I am in NY, and 10 years ago we were out of power for 2 weeks when Sandy hit. Gas was limited to 5 gallons and even the natural gas line we had was out.
In my lifetime I hope this never happens again, but if it does no matter what I paid for the backup, if it keeps my house running for longer then it was worth the price.
Sorry for the long reply. Hope this gives you some kind of answers.

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

I can’t answer your question if PowerShare is good for you or not. I can tell you what happened to me and my setup and you can decide for yourself if it’s something you want or not.
First off I have no lCE cars now. I have 3 Tesla gen 3 wall chargers one being the UWC all on load sharing. I have a whole house generator backup, solar but no powerwall.
I missed the 4k power share install credit by a week so let’s not even talk about that, still upset but what can you do? So the whole install came out of my pocket.
I have a 200 amp panel but I specifically asked for a whole house backup since Tesla said the truck can do it, so that’s what I wanted.
I was given a lower price the first time around after they did all the visits and photos. But after a week was notified that they can’t do the whole house because of my generator.
After some back and forth and me just saying flat out Tesla said it can be done so do it type of thing, they gave me a new higher quote.
After talking with a few other electricians about the increased price, besides the Qmerits fee added on top of the price I agreed to it.
What they did and this is me not an electrician trying to explain was basically made my main panel into a sub panel and then installed the gateway as my main panel. Rewired both panels and the wire coming in from the street into the panels. Moved my existing breaker for my WC into the new gateway as well as putting in a new 200 amp breaker into the gateway.
The generator has a cut out switch, sorry forgot the real name for it and that’s in the “nee” sub panel. So to use the generator I have to turn off the 200 amp breaker in the subpanel before it will let me turn on the generator. That’s my setup. Truck is the main backup and when it’s out of power or when I want to run my generator I still can but with a few extra steps.
Now about charging at home. I charge 2 of my 3 Tesla’s at home, every night. It’s great it works, I’m very happy. I can charge the 3rd Tesla but I still have a little over a year left of free supercharging so don’t really charge it at home.
I’m so glad I have a charger for each car, even one that isn’t used much. The option is there and I’m glad it is. Totally worth it. 2 of my chargers are outside and the 3rd is in the garage.
I have read people having that dryer plug (hmm 14-50) I think it is installed. They say it’s cheap and from what I have read they say it works. However unless you have some kind of cut out switch it’s very bad. So that’s something to think about if you want to go that direction. Not to code. Another issues I have read with this option is you need to keep turning on the plug ever 12 hours. Forgive me if my number is wrong, I’m going by memory and I am not young anymore, I’m sure someone knows the exact time before the plugs turns off, I don’t.
Breaker box replacement, yeah that’s something I would question. Even my setup didn’t need to replace the break box. They had to rewire it, but not replace it.
I have also read since there as so few Tesla authorized installers there has been questions about price gouging and upselling. I would say look on Teslas website and see if you can find another installers in your area and get a quote from him.
So your main point that is PowerShare something you would be happy with, well I’m just looking at everything you have to backup and I can tell you the truck will not give you enough power to run your house like the generator will. You would definitely have to unload a few things if your truck is powering your house. I can’t run my ACs with the truck, but I can with the generator. I’m sure your electrician can tell you the major appliances you would have to unload for PowerShare to work.
But the main reason I got it was in an extended power outage, the more options I have to run my house the better I would be.
I am in NY, and 10 years ago we were out of power for 2 weeks when Sandy hit. Gas was limited to 5 gallons and even the natural gas line we had was out.
In my lifetime I hope this never happens again, but if it does no matter what I paid for the backup, if it keeps my house running for longer then it was worth the price.
Sorry for the long reply. Hope this gives you some kind of answers.

Really appreciate the info and time you took to share it. Very helpful.

QMerit contractor texted me a few hours after my post and said Tesla no longer approves the PowerShare package when a generator is installed. I’ve asked for a link to that new mandate. If valid, I guess my decision is made for me.

Thanks again!

 

[Jager]

The replacement of your panel so it's an "all copper system" and because it's presently "residential grade" certainly sounds like BS. Complete BS.

The only reasons a panel ought to need replacing is because it has insufficient unused capacity and/or it has something inappropriate about it because of previous incompetent electrical work.

I can see Tesla not allowing PowerShare in a situation where a backup generator is hard-wired into the electrical system. A portable generator connected via a transfer switch shouldn't trigger any such proviso.

Sadly, the entire Qmerit ecosystem engaged by Tesla feels entirely like a scam to a great many of us. A lot of us have simply said screw that... and have moved to using the 240v outlet in the bed of the truck to power critical circuits, via a transfer switch.

If I were you, I'd call a couple of local electricians - not associated with Qmerit - to give you quotes on installation of a standard Wall Charger; plus maybe a transfer switch if you want to use your CT for home backup (something that sounds of minimal benefit given your present in-place Generac unit).

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

The replacement of your panel so it's an "all copper system" and because it's presently "residential grade" certainly sounds like BS. Complete BS.

The only reasons a panel ought to need replacing is because it has insufficient unused capacity and/or it has something inappropriate about it because of previous incompetent electrical work.

I can see Tesla not allowing PowerShare in a situation where a backup generator is hard-wired into the electrical system. A portable generator connected via a transfer switch shouldn't trigger any such proviso.

Sadly, the entire Qmerit ecosystem engaged by Tesla feels entirely like a scam to a great many of us. A lot of us have simply said screw that... and have moved to using the 240v outlet in the bed of the truck to power critical circuits, via a transfer switch.

If I were you, I'd call a couple of local electricians - not associated with Qmerit - to give you quotes on installation of a standard Wall Charger; plus maybe a transfer switch if you want to use your CT for home backup (something that sounds of minimal benefit given your present in-place Generac unit).

Great feedback and advise. Thank you.

I’ve kept in touch with one Tesla-approved vendor that turned out to not be QMerit-approved, so I’ll just move that discussion forward.

All the electrical-focused dialogue in this Forum and as a new EV owner who feels a bit overwhelmed with the technical side of these things makes me want to take a course or two in the area. I’ll probably attend YouTube University to start.

Thanks again.

 

[mongo]

I have a Foundation Series Beast, which entitles me to either: (a) a $4K PowerShare installation credit or (b) a $2.5K Tesla Store voucher.

Minor clarification: for pre end of May Beast orders, you get both a and b, where b is used to buy the Gateway and UWC when installing Powershare (so effectively up to $6.5k total benefit)

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

Minor clarification: for pre end of May Beast orders, you get both a and b, where b is used to buy the Gateway and UWC when installing Powershare (so effectively up to $6.5k total benefit)

I’m not surprised we’re getting different answers from Tesla on it, as the answer seems to evolve and the purchase period matters. My explanation comes from multiple emails from Tesla. Per their CS team, it’s one or the other, not both for me. I put deposit down in Nov. 19, paid non-refundable $1K in Jan or Feb and picked up my Beast in June.

Appreciate the feedback. Regardless, I just learned I’m not eligible at my suburban home due to my natural gas generator.

Thanks again.

 

[mongo]

I’m not surprised we’re getting different answers from Tesla on it, as the answer seems to evolve and the purchase period matters. My explanation comes from multiple emails from Tesla. Per their CS team, it’s one or the other, not both for me. I put deposit down in Nov. 19, paid non-refundable $1K in Jan or Feb and picked up my Beast in June.

Appreciate the feedback. Regardless, I just learned I’m not eligible at my suburban home due to my natural gas generator.

Thanks again.

Yeah, terms changed a lot, especially on the non-Install compensation.
If you get Powershare installed, what would have been a store credit is used to purchase the Gateway and UWC. So in that situation you don't get the credit to spend, but you do get an effective (up to) $6.5 k in cost offset.

I'm not sure why the generator is an issue. Powerwall installs can be done with a generator.
Meter -> Gateway-> generator ATS -> house
When Powerwall (or Powershare) runs out, generator kicks in.
One restriction I could see is that the UWC needs to be connected to the Gateway (versus main panel) so they get switched out together by the generator switch. That would mean you'd need a different charge method when on the generator (like your dryer plug).
Whole house off the 48A feed may be another point of contention.
Depending how agreeable your installer is, you could disable the generator. At least, until Powershare is enabled...

Is the ground paved between the current panel and second garage? $10k seems high for that run.

 

[Bstill]

Went this route and got some in stock swag with the credit, no ragrets.

 

[CT Owner Vito]

Minor clarification: for pre end of May Beast orders, you get both a and b, where b is used to buy the Gateway and UWC when installing Powershare (so effectively up to $6.5k total benefit)

Well, I am a pre end of May Beast owner (having had delivery of my Beast on May 9), but since we are in a Condo, Tesla told me that wasn’t gonna happen, so they gave me 1-year of free Supercharging on my Beast. Then, later(months later), they sent me a letter with $1100 store credit. It does have to be used all at once (or lose the balance), and it expires next August. I’m hoping to use it when some items I want come back in stock. Fingers crossed. I mostly drive 1000 miles/week, so I’m not complaining about the free SC. When it runs out, I’ll return to driving my ‘23 MX Plaid. It has forever free SC!

 

[Paul Scott]

Don't use Qmerit to install PowerShare it is very expensive. Use Smart Charge America. https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...rit-for-installing-powershare-chargers.31723/

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