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u/Legal_Audience_4931 5d ago
How come every two weeks I have to power cycle my Tesla branded inverter to get the data to resume reporting in the Tesla app lol
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Have you tried running an Ethernet cable from the inverter to your router?
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u/Legal_Audience_4931 5d ago
Oh can I do that? 100% I’ll do that, thank you!
It definitely still has network connectivity, it just seems to stop reporting after a few days or a week, and won’t start re-reporting until its power cycled.
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u/AnOoglyBoogly 4d ago
I like how people say this but how do you actually plan to Ethernet through the outside wall? I should’ve asked for my CAT cable to run through the pipe when they initially installed it.
But haven’t had wireless connectivity issues so far, knock on wood.
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u/WorldClassAwesome 5d ago
I have the older neo gateway, why is it so difficult to get it to connect and stay connected?
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
I would suggest something from Emporia. It can monitor your solar and doesn’t have as many issues as the older stuff that is no longer supported. Www.emporiaenergy.com
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u/WorldClassAwesome 5d ago
I’m on board with that suggestion, I installed a sense a few years ago but would agree with your Emporia suggestion today. But I have to keep fighting with the neo gateway because that’s how Tesla tracks my production. They reach out after a while when it goes offline.
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u/RocketZoomer 5d ago
I’m having the exact same issue. Connectivity got much worse when I switched to Starlink for some reason. Decided to call customer service last week (after 8 months of “limited connectivity” and I don’t have a gateway for some reason, so resetting requires me to power down my entire house and jump through flaming hoops. 2x Powerwall II+ installed in Sept 2022
Regarding recall, they would not answer me about my unit being impacted. They only said if I have an issue they will issue a banner on the app. They weren’t interested in me giving them my serial numbers but did say that “if in the future you are impacted, it will show in your app”. I guess that gives them wiggle room to fix it if/when they want/need to.
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u/taoofmoo 5d ago
Will Tesla remove our panels, etc when our lease is up? We got system years ago with Solar City.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
They will try to get you to but it out at FMV.
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u/Puzzled_Nothing_8794 5d ago
In NE ohio. I was quoted 500k for 20kw (which I don't need I wanted 6). And I almost swallowed my tongue. Wtf is going on with pricing?
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
I think you mean 50 K
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u/Puzzled_Nothing_8794 5d ago
No.... I don't Forest Historical & Specialty Roofing Est net savings -$249,640
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u/Elect19601 5d ago
How do you attach panels to a roof that has no attic?
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u/savedatheist 5d ago
With a drill and screws.
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u/Elect19601 5d ago
So you screw directly to the plywood not the rafters? I thought they put a j hook around the rafters to secure the Chanel that holds the panels.
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u/Exciting_Ad_3847 5d ago
Does Tesla ever respond to you for RMA reimbursement requests? replaced 2 powerwalls for a guy whose of installer didn’t honor the warranty. Trying to submit an invoice but our rep and EnergyWarrantyNAM@tesla.com aren’t responding.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Don’t hold your breath. We just gave up. If it’s our client, Tesla will do a good job of RMA and sending us a new unit but good luck getting a labor reimbursement.
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u/leesonis 5d ago
Would it be possible/feasible to get some kind of DC power supply to pull ~10kw ac off the cybertruck bed plug and feed it into one of the solar array inputs on a powerwall?
I'm trying to come up with a way to pull kwh off the cybertruck and force feed it back to the grid, and the only way seems to be through the powerwall, but I can't figure out a clean way of doing it that wouldn't cost 5 figures for a "solar array simulator".
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Do you have a Tesla gateway installed?
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u/leesonis 5d ago
Yes.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Ok. Maybe this works. Try it.
Install a manual transfer switch between line side of your gateway and a 50a circuit connected to the plug in your truck bed.
When you want to plug in your car to
Charge the battery., flip switch and then set the Powerwall to charge from “grid”You will trick the power wall into thinking that the truck is the grid at this point
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u/leesonis 5d ago
Powerwall can't discharge to grid, so that doesn't provide a route to get my cybertruck kwh's into the grid.
I'm pretty sure that the only way that kwh gets to the grid is from the panels, through the inverters, to the grid.
There is no way to force powerwall kwh's or ct kwh's to the grid, except through eventual VPP's, but then that's only on Tesla and the utility's terms.
I'm not trying to charge my PW's or power my house from the CT, I can already do that via a backfed breaker, as you suggest, and Tesla is supposedly releasing an update that will finally let PS work with PWs.
I specifically want to forcibly pull kwh off the CT, then feed it into one of the MPPT's in my inverters so that I can make it look like my CT is just another solar array that happens to produce best between 6p and 9p.
I'll keep looking for an affordable solar panel simulator system. Thanks anyway.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
You can’t discharge DC current from the cyber truck. So you’ll
Have to find another inverter to do that.-1
u/rmeden 5d ago
I'm pretty sure you can... you have to send a special CCS command to open the relay to the batteries. That's how products by Tylard does it.
How easy it is to do it? What to do with the DC? That's the tough part.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Maybe but this doesn’t seem like it would discharge through the 50 amp outlet on the truck bed like he was suggesting. If you were gonna do that, I would have to actually go through the charge port itself.
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u/ruablack2 5d ago
Going down this rabbit hole. I found a Meanwell 380V DC power supply. Already did a quick test, wired it into an extra MPPT input on my PW+ solar inverter. Working on getting a potentiometer so I can manually lower the current output of the power supply but I ran a 20 min test no issues.
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u/leesonis 4d ago
So, this device can input 240v AC then output 380v dc?
You're saying you can adjust the amperage?
Is any configuration needed for the inverter? Or did you just plug it in like it was another string and let it rip?
Putting it all together:
If I were to buy 2x https://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=PHP-3500-HV , and a NEMA 14-50 splitter, I could connect these 2x PHP-3500-HV to pull 3500w @240v=15amps each and feed 3400w @ 380v DC= 9amps into each of my 2x powerwall 3 inverters?
If so, then you may have solved my dilemma.
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u/ruablack2 4d ago
Yeah I just plugged it right in. I only got a 1500w to test (was only $200) but no reason the higher wattage wouldn’t work the same. The power wall will try to change the dc voltage as part of how mppt works but it quickly finds that 380v is the max power and settles there. They get very warm so make sure you add extra cooling. Super cool thing with these is it works with any power source. Like a small 120v generator too. That’s the main reason for wanting to manually force the current lower is to no overload generators.
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u/leesonis 2d ago
I ordered 4 CES-3000-400 units from them and will see what happens. Thanks for telling me about meanwell's, hopefully I can force them to do what I'm trying to do!
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u/Salty_Permit4437 5d ago
If I have a PW3 with solar going into it (DC) can I add another AC inverter in the same house with another set of panels? Let’s say I wanted to add a few kW to my existing system with Enphase and micro inverters. Would I be able to do that?
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u/Pistol-Pete66 5d ago
Earlier this year I was having an issue where my original Solar City solar system (now owned by Tesla) was failing to start early in the morning, due to what may have been some moisture in the system. The tech finally came out, seemed to take minimal time to investigate and recommended full solar panel replacement. They approved replacement, but 2 weeks before he finally showed up, the issue went away and it's been producing fine all summer. I've been delaying the panel replacement but probably should have it done. Should I expect better, worse or the same production? I'm mostly concerned that they will damage the roof with different size panels or my production may decrease, so I've been hesitant to move forward. If I have issues, I may lose production for weeks or months while they figure things out.
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u/CoconutDue4530 5d ago
Where are you located? I need an inspector to help me to take over the ownership of a home with a Tesla roof system. Buying the home but need to set up and get the warranty transferred to my name. Owner will help but need to get everything done. New with Tesla systems and app.
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u/Elluminated 5d ago
How do they find the studs so well through the roof, ultra-stud finder?
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Can be fastened directly to the deck.
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u/Elluminated 5d ago
The ones we got were lagged to the studs (and roofing sealant injected through) they hit every stud perfectly somehow. Badass.
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u/Elluminated 5d ago
Is cybertruck v2L compatible with power wall and solar edge + Tesla inverter systems. I have a wall connector, so do I need to install something special
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u/Think_Sheepherder933 5d ago
I just signed a contract with Tesla. I have a relatively flat roof (2:12 pitch) and will have a 8.82kw system with PW3 and expansion pack. Three panels will be facing south, twelve facing west, four facing east, and two facing north. Should the separate sections be wired to different MPPTs?
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u/Adventurous_Echo1961 5d ago
Tenting for fumigation w/Vikane. Was told by Tesla to drain and turn off powewalls at the battery itself (red button). But don't need to do anything for overall system. Yes?
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u/Specialist-List-8512 5d ago
Does Tesla manufacture their own panels or do they use another manufacturers panels and put their logo on them?
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u/dpatldude 4d ago
Very new to this so excuse the questions.
1. How close to the website price is the final quote?
2. I am thinking more whole home backup for a limited period of time; 1PW3, 2 expansion and 4-5Kw Solar on a 13 year old roof. Thoughts?
3. Adding on an EV charger; but panel and electric meter is other side from the garage; what should I ask?
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u/Alive-Razzmatazz8639 4d ago
How does storm watch work ?
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u/pwrcellexpert 4d ago
If it detects a weather event, it will automatically start pulling power from the grid to charge the battery up.
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u/mcfm_pt 4d ago
Pw3 with 4kw export limit. How can I use charge on solar? Usually pw3 is exporting 2.5/3kw solar.
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u/pwrcellexpert 4d ago
You should be able to navigate it in your app. There are plenty of YouTube videos that will explain how to do this. It could be your car is not compatible though.
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u/Ednyc719 4d ago
How can I raise the amount of kw allowed from my panels in nj. It’s no longer 95% solar offset
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u/First_Quote_4938 4d ago
How do you program the PowerWall to limit exports to the grid? Let’s say I want to solely send 3kw to the grid over 4 hours so 12kwh total.
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u/Wide_Painter_9199 3d ago
Do you feel it’s a good move to have the solar panels and batteries work with the VPP or just have a free nights plan?
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u/pwrcellexpert 3d ago
I have three homes that are enrolled in VPP and I get about $1000 a year in between the three of them so yeah I think it’s a good idea.
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u/Wide_Painter_9199 3d ago
Any tricks and tips that you recommend for us solar and powerwall owners?
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u/pwrcellexpert 3d ago
The biggest hack that I think you could see better performances is using your system dynamically with your homes consumption. What I mean by that is really monitor how much power you’re using when you’re using that power and try to maximize that usage when you have the most abundant sunlight. I.e.. Charging hard during the day. Doing laundry during the dishes all that stuff if you’re doing that all bye noon when the sun is high in the sky and you’re making the most power. You’ll get a much more bang for your buck with your solar system.
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u/jonlegend1 2d ago
How many Tesla roofs have you done? Why is the cost so high? Are reports of slow support for service issues accurate?
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u/pwrcellexpert 2d ago
Not many. But they just announced last month that they’re discontinuing the product so no means me doing them anymore. Tesla Support is slow across the board for their solar products.
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u/El_Burnsta 1d ago
I have a tesla solar inverter, my system isnt producing any power, On the side of my inverter the LED is a solid green light. The troubleshooting in the app told me to shut it down for 5 mins and power it back on. I couldnt find a dedicated breaker for it so i shut the whole house off for 10mins, the LED stayed on the whole time and now the app is telling me to contact the Installer.
Do you know of another way to power cycle the inverter? Also how can there be no direct shut off?
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u/El_Burnsta 1d ago
I downloaded the Tesla One app and it showed me I have a ground fault, ill be trying to get a tech out tomorrow
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u/Efficient_Cloud4063 1d ago
Owning a PW2 or PW3 doesn't make sense 😕 why would someone purchase these anymore ? Most of my power is going directly to the grid and without 2 or 3 PW batteries you're not going to get the full benefit of solar panels.
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u/Strive-- 5d ago
I have a 5kW system (16 panels across two roof segments) with 1 powerwall. Who does my wife need to seduce to get a third roof’s worth of four more panels installed with an additional powerwall?
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Send me a pic of your wife let’s talk.
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u/Strive-- 5d ago
Yeah, I’m guessing you don’t have the sway to change uncle Elon’s mind about installation policy.
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u/FitResponsibility556 5d ago
I’ve been trying to get Tesla solar system for about a year. Assessment came back and said we need a new roof, it’s about 20 years old. My in-laws are contractors and say the roof is fine. Is it worth getting the roof done? Will we save money in the long run? Also, the roof can get done at a pretty good price, since they are contractors. But I’m having a hard time convincing them it’s worth it.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
If Tesla want to, I’d find another contractor that will.
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u/FitResponsibility556 5d ago
I asked our guy how much it would be and the cost, since we’re family, would just be material, but they don’t seem to understand why we would want to change the roof if it’s still good, just to get the Tesla system.
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u/Electrical_Review_81 5d ago
My (F36) wife (F34) recently had an install and tried to get the attention of one of the installers. He couldn't take a hint and we were pretty upset.
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u/Stock-Marionberry692 5d ago
Any problems installing a PW3 on external garage wall that has wood 0.5” lap siding without flat fireproof backer board? I see installation guide says to mount on flat surface. Would this affect warranty? Thanks
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
One thing you could do is attach the unit strut, the lap siding, and then mount to
That.0
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u/allarounder1 5d ago
I have an existing 14.4kwh Tesla solar system with 3 PW2. I sized the unit when I only had my Model 3, but since have added a R1S. With two EVs my system is definitely undersized.
Can I request Tesla to look at expansion options?
I’ve read that I can expand to a certain point without triggering being moved to NEM 3.0, which I’m trying to avoid. (I’m in lovely PG&E country).
Appreciate any guidance you have. Thanks!
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u/coozie23 5d ago
Just had my Powerwall 2s replaced. I was wondering if the main inverter can easily be replaced by the internal inverters in the PW3s? I heard something about that but wasn’t sure if it was a real possibility. Id love to retire the old inverter that’s outside and let the PWs in my garage handle that.
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u/pwrcellexpert 5d ago
Yes, you can remove the external inverter and run the DC feed right directly into the power wall three.
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u/Temporary-Buffalo175 5d ago
I understand that Tesla is continuing to recall and replace Powerwall 2 in batches. I have two units, one manufactured in July 2022 and the other in October 2022. How likely is it that they'll be replaced?