Power gateway installation? DIY?

[Cactusrick]

I currently have a Tesla level Two charger installed in the garage. Tesla sends you to get a qualified approved electrician to install the gateway and a new charger Qmerit contractors seemed overpriced IMO - Has anyone installed the Powershare Backup box and new charger themselves? How hard is it? I know it's dealing with high voltage and a person needs electrical experience....Is the Tesla installation guide the best way to install? Thanks in advance...

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[Art138]

The big issue in my opinion is liability; will Tesla honor the warranty if equipment malfunctions. The installer for my equipment stated that they had to return several gateways. For peace of mind I would get a certified electrician to assist you.

 

[Korben Dallas]

The big issue in my opinion is liability; will Tesla honor the warranty if equipment malfunctions. The installer for my equipment stated that they had to return several gateways. For peace of mind I would get a certified electrician to assist you.

That’s a very good point & I’d like to add that if you were to have a problem with the CT power train Tesla might even try to make the case that you voided it’s warranty too.

 

[JimBuck333]

The electricians who installed our PowerShare gateway, that were assigned by Qmerit, I believe were using some specific software to configure things and/or establish communications back to Tesla. Which if so obviously wouldn’t be available to any regular electrician. Also, the job was a bit bigger than I originally envisioned, because the entire home electrical service needs to be re-routed from the main panel through the new gateway and back to the main panel (while not disturbing any existing solar routing). In addition to hooking up the charger. Plus, they got the local permit, and came back on inspection day. All in all not cheap, but an excellent installation (including the charging station being routed outdoors).

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I do a lot of home electrical work but would never attempt this installation. It is very complex, involves disconnecting your main power feed from your primary electrical box annd rerouting to the Tesla Gateway, annd other connections to the charger(s) and any other related devices such as solar or Powerwall. It includes installation and configuration steps that require special software and Tesla authorizations. You will need conduit bending tools and knowledge of both low voltage circuits and high voltage wiring. I have installed several tesla wall chargers, no issue, and have done a lot of wiring in my homes and businesses - but this is way outside that level of skill. In my experience, old-school electricians are also incapable of doing this type of installation - it requires specific training and an understanding of data communications and integration using phone apps, computer software, WiFi connections, as well as the basic electrical installation.

 

[eswimm]

Much of the work could be done by somebody sufficiently skilled, mounting the unit, routing wire (for gateway and UWC), mounting the UWC, etc. The full panel backup (the cheapest and most convenient option) requires removal of the meter, which requires your utility provider. Most utilities will impose a tampering charge if the meter is removed by anyone other than themselves and require the work pass inspection before turning power back on.

The software that the installers use is the Tesla One app, access to the app is not restricted, I'm able to log in using my Tesla credentials. There are electronic forms to complete and pictures of the installation are required in order to have the Powershare commissioned. I do not know if Tesla will complete the commissioning process if the forms are submitted by a non-certified installer.

If you interrupt the main panel, the gateway becomes your new main panel and your main panel becomes a sub-panel of the gateway. You'll need the 200A main breaker (or whatever your service rating is) for the gateway, since it does not come preinstalled. You'll also need to separate grounds and neutrals in your old main panel, since it is now a sub-panel. The main panel has ground and neutral bonded, so depending on how lazy your builder's electrician was, grounds and neutrals may be mixed.

In theory, if you found a willing licensed electrician, they may allow you to perform some of the labor involved to limit costs. They may need to be Tesla certified in order to get it commissioned.

If you opt to use the gateway as a backup panel, there's no need to disconnect the meter, since you can just trip the main breaker. You'll need an appropriately sized breaker for your main panel depending on which loads you move to the gateway and a breaker for each circuit you splice and relocate. The UWC breaker will also need to be relocated (or installed) to the gateway.

In theory, a sufficiently skilled homeowner could perform the entire load backup install, although you may need a certified installer to submit the commissioning documents.

Anyone with a Tesla account can access and submit the documentation through the Tesla One app, I used the app to make changes to the WiFi settings on the gateway and UWC since my installer missed a few steps. What I don't know, is if Tesla would complete the commissioning if submitted by somebody they haven't certified.

None of the install options are for the faint of heart, there's high amperage involved and close attention to proper wiring, tightening torque and safety should be of utmost priority.

 

[Art138]

Mine did not get commissioned until it was inspected by FPL (local power company). Don’t know if it’s driven by local regs or Tesla. I did mine thru Qmerit’s third party provider.

 

[Cactusrick]

Much of the work could be done by somebody sufficiently skilled, mounting the unit, routing wire (for gateway and UWC), mounting the UWC, etc. The full panel backup (the cheapest and most convenient option) requires removal of the meter, which requires your utility provider. Most utilities will impose a tampering charge if the meter is removed by anyone other than themselves and require the work pass inspection before turning power back on.

The software that the installers use is the Tesla One app, access to the app is not restricted, I'm able to log in using my Tesla credentials. There are electronic forms to complete and pictures of the installation are required in order to have the Powershare commissioned. I do not know if Tesla will complete the commissioning process if the forms are submitted by a non-certified installer.

If you interrupt the main panel, the gateway becomes your new main panel and your main panel becomes a sub-panel of the gateway. You'll need the 200A main breaker (or whatever your service rating is) for the gateway, since it does not come preinstalled. You'll also need to separate grounds and neutrals in your old main panel, since it is now a sub-panel. The main panel has ground and neutral bonded, so depending on how lazy your builder's electrician was, grounds and neutrals may be mixed.

In theory, if you found a willing licensed electrician, they may allow you to perform some of the labor involved to limit costs. They may need to be Tesla certified in order to get it commissioned.

If you opt to use the gateway as a backup panel, there's no need to disconnect the meter, since you can just trip the main breaker. You'll need an appropriately sized breaker for your main panel depending on which loads you move to the gateway and a breaker for each circuit you splice and relocate. The UWC breaker will also need to be relocated (or installed) to the gateway.

In theory, a sufficiently skilled homeowner could perform the entire load backup install, although you may need a certified installer to submit the commissioning documents.

Anyone with a Tesla account can access and submit the documentation through the Tesla One app, I used the app to make changes to the WiFi settings on the gateway and UWC since my installer missed a few steps. What I don't know, is if Tesla would complete the commissioning if submitted by somebody they haven't certified.

None of the install options are for the faint of heart, there's high amperage involved and close attention to proper wiring, tightening torque and safety should be of utmost priority.

Thanks for the information - much appreciated

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