Used Cybertruck to power my house during power outage

[fhteagle]

I have a good size generator (125000 watts)

You have a 125kW generator at home?!?

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[mhaze]

The benefit of PowerShare is that it's automatic. Since you'll keep the truck plugged-in when at home, the gateway will switch over in the event of an outage. (Plus, it's 11kW instead of 9kW).

I have no expectation that it will switch over in milliseconds like a UPS does, however...?

After the Great Texas IceApocalypse, I installed a 22 kw Generac natural gas powered backup. Been very happy with it. There is about a 10 second power drop before the backup generator kicks in.

If the option had existed to power the home with the PowerShare and the CT, that would have been my option. It would not have the same endurance, and it could not begin to match the features of the Generac, but it would have been adequate.

It's a sure bet that power outages will increase in frequency, as the grid operators are being forced to use higher percentages of wind and solar and are consciously reducing grid reliability (I do not know the exact numbers) but say from 99.99% to 98%.

 

[scottf200]

If someone is feeling adventurous and has a multimeter, I would love to know if ground and neutral are bonded (ie shorted) at the 14-50 outlet.

I charged my Tesla on a family members NEMA 14-50 a while back and multi-meter tested it before I used it. The neutral wasn't connected even but ground was. Vehicle charged fine. AFAIK, the neutral in a 240v connection like for appliances are for when they have some elements using 240v (hot & hot) and others in that appliance using 120v (hot & neutral) .

Interestingly this product has an EV charging mode that binds the neutral+ground.

https://www.anker.com/anker-solix/a1790-pps?ref=A1790111_listing

 

[Woodrick]

I'm going to have to pay attention to my houses pull to see if the 14-50 would be enough. Do we know how much can output through mobile power share plug?

11kW

But be careful about your big inductive loads, like A/C units. I believe that Tesla does provide additional current for motor starts.

 

[cgladue]

11kW

But be careful about your big inductive loads, like A/C units. I believe that Tesla does provide additional current for motor starts.

A/C Soft Start Kits are magical. no huge surges

 

[Woodrick]

I charged my Tesla on a family members NEMA 14-50 a while back and multi-meter tested it before I used it. The neutral wasn't connected even but ground was. Vehicle charged fine. AFAIK, the neutral in a 240v connection like for appliances are for when they have some elements using 240v and others in that appliance using 120v.

Interestingly this product has an EV charging mode that binds the neutral+ground.

Tesla just uses the 240V connection in previous vehicles, it doesn't need the neutral to produce 120V. Cybertruck may be different.

BUT BEWARE, this does not work in reverse! If the truck is powering the house, you absolutely will need the neutral, because the house does use 120V. No neutral could mean bad things.

 

[Woodrick]

A/C Soft Start Kits are magical. no huge surges

But there are surges.

 

[cgladue]

But there are surges.

very minimal surges compared to a normal A/C Startup less than half the required current

 

[Trbizwiz]

can you elaborate a little more plz? Did you use the mobile powershare adapter? Or a male to male plug in the 14-50 at the bed? also, do you remember what install cost was for your setup?

I would strongly suggest against male to male, with this much power on tap. It could be really dangerous.
instead, do something like this. Ideally with a transfer switch, but if you want to accept liability, and can trust yourself to throw the main breaker, that can be an option in a pinch as well.
https://a.co/d/7nT3AtO

 

[cgladue]

I would strongly suggest against male to male, with this much power on tap. It could be really dangerous.
instead, do something like this. Ideally with a transfer switch, but if you want to accept liability, and can trust yourself to throw the main breaker, that can be an option in a pinch as well.
https://a.co/d/7nT3AtO

if you go this route, (and i think its the best route) make sure you buy a breaker interlock kit too, then you dont have to trust yourself or a family member or the next owner.

also if you have solar you may want to turn off the breakers that the solar inverter feeds your main panel from (if thats how its installed) also.

 

[Gurule92]

I would strongly suggest against male to male, with this much power on tap. It could be really dangerous.
instead, do something like this. Ideally with a transfer switch, but if you want to accept liability, and can trust yourself to throw the main breaker, that can be an option in a pinch as well.
https://a.co/d/7nT3AtO

Good call. I didn't know they could hardwire a cable so I'm looking at that now.

 

[rceldib]

The benefit of PowerShare is that it's automatic. Since you'll keep the truck plugged-in when at home, the gateway will switch over in the event of an outage. (Plus, it's 11kW instead of 9kW).

I have no expectation that it will switch over in milliseconds like a UPS does, however...?

We have two Tesla PowerWalls. When the power goes out, which has been often this year and last, the TV doesn’t even flicker. The only way we know is a notification from my phone that we had a power outage. Absolutely love it Now many of my neighbors are getting solar and PowerWalls.

Santa bought me a Tesla Universal Wall Connector for Christmas, which I will replace my Gen 1 HPWC. Waiting patiently for my CT which I reserved the morning after the reveal. No word yet from Tesla, when I can order

 

[geoffgeoff]

GREAT, show us a pic of your plug , cut off switch / wiring layout overview for everyone.

I just re-read my soliloquy- sorry about long-winded!
Anyone who hasn't wired their own 240V EV charger (or electric oven, clothes drier, HVAC) should probably just keep paying their local electrical contractor to do the work. However, by law in many States, homemoaners are allowed to conduct their own home wiring (pardon da pun) - @39Years ago I found an old "Home Wiring" booklet in a foreclosure I was helping my wife's older cousin clean it out. He told me: "Read it! It'll save you 10s of thousands over yer lifetime!" Lots of uses and 20 years ago, I built our 3,000FT2 home and referred to it often. No electrician - and the town inspector said he was apprehensive until he saw my picture perfect work and that I should see the rats nests so-called Pros try to squeak by with!
I've found the latest version at an online retailer to give to F&F incl. my sons in law. No homes or persons injured so far! No disrespect to the Trade, but electrical work is the cleanest and easiest of all - and I've done/continue to do them all.

 

[Cam Salazar]

no need. if you know, you know.

And whe you Don't know, you ask, you selfish genious

 

[Gurule92]

Just had a quote for a generator plug install... 4.4k!! Might as well get real Powershare.

More quotes coming though

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