Easy way to safely access backup power for home and free (for some PG&E customers)

[Big guy]

Agreed but I think the 1st step is making sure PG&E accepts that it will work with Lightning. Once that get confirmed I could go to my local electric company and ask for approval to install. I would have to pay for it of course. With the increase of EV ownership and the increase in demand for home EV charging (local building codes here now mandate 240V available for EV charging in new home builds) It would seem the local electric company should have no reason not to agree to do it if I pay for the unit. I would
have to buy the unit direct from the MFG not PG&E.

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[GDN]

Agreed but I think the 1st step is making sure PG&E accepts that it will work with Lightning. Once that get confirmed I could go to my local electric company and ask for approval to install. I would have to pay for it of course. With the increase of EV ownership and the increase in demand for home EV charging (local building codes here now mandate 240V available for EV charging in new home builds) It would seem the local electric company should have no reason not to agree to do it if I pay for the unit. I would
have to buy the unit direct from the MFG not PG&E.

Keep us updated if you make headway. The similar product, Generlink (which truly looks like it will not work with the bonded neutral) is not embraced by Oncor (North Texas transmission and distribution only - they own the meters) at all. Other electrical distributors in the area do allow them and have some installed, but Oncor doesn't seem to want to even talk about it. I'm poking the bear and trying to find individuals to reach out to, but the general answer is no - won't even discuss it.

I have to assume they believe something about the devices are not safe, won't properly protect a back feed with the internal switching or feel threatened by a device like this for an area they haven't been very inventive with.

 

[Maquis]

Agreed but I think the 1st step is making sure PG&E accepts that it will work with Lightning. Once that get confirmed I could go to my local electric company and ask for approval to install. I would have to pay for it of course. With the increase of EV ownership and the increase in demand for home EV charging (local building codes here now mandate 240V available for EV charging in new home builds) It would seem the local electric company should have no reason not to agree to do it if I pay for the unit. I would
have to buy the unit direct from the MFG not PG&E.

“F150” is on PG&E’s approved list - see post 50.

 

[Big guy]

“F150” is on PG&E’s approved list - see post 50.

I saw that on the list before but I don't see that it differentiates between an ICE F150 and the Lightning.

 

[Maquis]

I saw that on the list before but I don't see that it differentiates between an ICE F150 and the Lightning.

ProPower is ProPower…..

 

[Punk9721]

As some of you may know, PG&E has been in the headlines for flipping the breaker when certain areas are under threat of fire. Usually during high wind events in CA. We live in the country and depend on a water well. PGE has tried to mitigate the issues by offering free powerwalls (I missed that one), free 240V generators (meh, got that already) but recently they’ve offered a device like this one. https://www.generlink.com/ for free to us. I read the specs and signed up. a Few weeks ago they showed up and installed it on our meter in under 30 minutes. Their guy had me sign the paperwork, he briefly explained it, handed my a 35 foot cord and instructions and took off. Although the plug should fit our 240V bed outlet, it’s too fat and hits the dust/rain flap so it cannot be inserted properly. So I ordered an 8 foot heavy duty extension here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JJPS7D?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details and it’s perfect for the job. So now for under $50 I have exactly what I need to power our house (I’ll have to shut off the spa, one water heater and not run the dryer) but otherwise we should be good to go for the winter. I know not everyone can get One of these from their utility but in some states you can purchase one and the utility will install it for you. For us, it’s really a great solution. We lost power for a week a few years ago and playing Games with a noisy generator and extension cords, gas cans etc for old real quick. Hope this helps others. The whole setup takes me under 2 minutes to connect in the event we lose Power. Some pics and few relevant links.
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residenti...ngs-programs/backup-power-transfer-meter.page

A

Interesting looks like it just goes in between the smart meter and the panel? Do you know if this has any affect or complicates things for solar or solar battery backup?

 

[GDN]

I hope that PG&E has enough of these distributed to show their worth. It just came to light yesterday that the big TX fire burning for the last week or two was likely started from a downed wire. I can see more power companies taking the stance of shutting off some power in a bad storm or high wind. Doesn't seem plausible, but just maybe it would if nearly every home had a device that likely only costs a couple hundred to build in mass and over the years more homeowners would invest in a reasonable generator or will end up with a massive battery in the vehicle they drive every day.

Oncor in TX has decided to just put their head in the sand, or at least they won't talk about the meter add on's.

 

[Jeffgtx]

FYI in case this isn’t covered elsewhere in the threads….

i was approved for this, but they could not install it because i have a 400A service panel and this device is only for 200A.

also, it is not an automatic transfer. The loads have to be taken down in order for the backup power to be let through by the meter. It will automatically go to the utility service once it comes back on, but there cannot be any load present before it switches to the backup. So you will still have to reset all your clocks.

 

[frautumn]

Finally got mine installed today! No advance notice, guy just showed up (same happened to the OP I think) and luckily my wife was home. Took him only 10 mins to install it, but he said he couldn't test it, you just have to wait for the power to go down (again, as stated by the OP). He left a simple instruction sheet, which I will need to get replaced because it's 2-side printed but has same content on both sides so I am missing half of the instructions -- anybody have a copy they can upload here? I found the manual online here (https://www.pge.com/assets/pge/docs...upport/backup-power-transfer-meter-manual.pdf) but it doesn't include end user instructions for turning it on.

Also, as the OP stated, the 40 foot cable they provide has a plug that doesn't seat snugly in the Lightning 240V outlet, so you need the adapter cable that he linked to in the original post. I had ordered it months ago and just tried it out, it fits like a charm. Here is a pic of the PGE cable plugged into the outlet without the adapter cable, you can see how it can't fully plug in due to the cover blocking it. I would like to thank the OP for solving this issue for me before I even knew it was an issue! Bring on the PSPS! (that's Public Safety Power Shutoff for you non-PG&E people).

 

[Wsh68]

Thanks so much for circling around and letting me know my posts were beneficial to you. Only needed it twice this winter and only for a brief period but it sure is nice to know it’s there if/when needed, especially since we are 100% electrical and on a water well. It’s not perfect but the price was sure right.

 

[frautumn]

Thanks so much for circling around and letting me know my posts were beneficial to you. Only needed it twice this winter and only for a brief period but it sure is nice to know it’s there if/when needed, especially since we are 100% electrical and on a water well. It’s not perfect but the price was sure right.

@Wsh68 , do you happen to still have a copy of the 2 page instruction sheet that you could post here? My second page was a dupe of the first page. I'm sure it's very straightforward, but I'd like to have the instructions handy in case someone besides me needs to hook it up. I emailed the installer (he left a card), but never heard back from him.

 

[flyct]

Has anyone in Florida, specifically FPL, had success getting one approved and installed?

 

[Wsh68]

@Wsh68 , do you happen to still have a copy of the 2 page instruction sheet that you could post here? My second page was a dupe of the first page. I'm sure it's very straightforward, but I'd like to have the instructions handy in case someone besides me needs to hook it up. I emailed the installer (he left a card), but never heard back from him.

I think I do at home. We’re up at our cabin for a week but when we get back I’ll take a look.

 

[Wsh68]

Here’s what they gave me. There‘s not a backside to it. Hope this helps.

 

[Wsh68]

@Wsh68 , do you happen to still have a copy of the 2 page instruction sheet that you could post here? My second page was a dupe of the first page. I'm sure it's very straightforward, but I'd like to have the instructions handy in case someone besides me needs to hook it up. I emailed the installer (he left a card), but never heard back from him.

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