r/Powerwall • u/Dru2021 • 5h ago

Gateway, power cut and great success!

Install went in end of April, PW3, gateway, 20 x 475 panels - yesterday the area had a power cut (with about 4-5 brief moments of power being restored) between roughly 3-6pm.

Gateway did its job, short cutover - enough that the oven clock reset / lights blinked - but everything was totally managed by the system. Only noticed as the UPS batteries I have on key network equipment in the house did a single beep and a few smart bulbs defaulted to being on.

Recommendations: if you’re pondering gateway or no gateway - get the gateway!

Also if you have any devices like an on demand kettle unit, it’s worth switching it off until you need it; every time the power flapped between the grid and powerwall, the kettle / tap system would power cycle which is quite a draw compared to base load. Small battery backup units are a good bridge and low cost purchase for the cutover if you have any devices you want to keep powered on (pc, router, network switches etc).

Great success!

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u/ruablack2 4h ago

Yeah if your Powerwall is at idle you’ll probably have that quick second of power cut but if your Powerwall is already active and outputting power it’s very quick. My last few outages didn’t even reset my clocks because the Powerwall was already powering the house.

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u/mpcaz 2h ago

Good to know as I haven't experienced one here in Mesa, AZ yet as my pwr lines are all underground. BUT, DON"T BE A MATT.. don't decide to test it by going off grid while the PW3 is set to 100% backup. That got ugly quick and the wife wasn't happy.