Cybertruck vs ice storm power outage (Outlet power to the rescue!)

[Toronto00]

Have you tried that? Technically, you need a transfer switch to connect ct 240v outlet, just like a generator. I don't think you can find a pre-made male to male 14-50 cable.

I have this setup at my house in Canada, attached to a 50amp panel through a transfer switch. Used it for the first time last week during an outage - we have a 2x200amp service for the house, so only able to run a portion - but worked like a charm! Had most of our lights, TV's, internet, fridges and heat/hot water, and after almost 3hrs only used approx 5% of battery!

Cost me about 3k for full install (including cable), but far cheaper than the 9k they quoted me for PowerShare.

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[tpfaff]

We live in Nashville and were hit pretty hard by the ice storm, with the power going out Sunday at 6am. The Cybertruck served as our "backup generator" for 4 days and now my kids love me (and my truck again), so thought I would post our experience.

I had decided against the Gateway & PowerShare because of how rarely we lose power at this house. Thankfully, we had some extension cords that I was able to run to the deep freeze, refrigerator and internet. Then I ran some more for TV, gaming PC, lamps and chargers. It was getting cold fast in the house despite running the gas fireplace (I think it's mainly for show, as it felt colder with the vent open). But I could only get one space heater running before exceeding the max 20A current output on the truck bed 120V outlet.

At that point, I remembered the outlet inside the cabin had a separate 20A outlet, so we were able to run a second space heater and warm things up a little. By Monday morning, it was 55 degrees in the house (the low was 10 degrees outside) and I didn't sleep at all worrying either the fireplace or the space heaters were going to burn the house down. The next night was predicted to have a low of 2-4 degrees. So I got to work with the gas furnace, turned it's breaker off, then disconnected the power source from the house to the furnace, and instead connected the furnace to a stripped power cord coming from the cabin 120v. Voila! The house heated up to a comfy 70 degrees in no time.

Battery charge went from 95% Sunday AM -> 45% Monday at Noon (most of that had been spent running the two space heaters), so since the roads were clearing, we drove out to the Brentwood supercharger and topped off the truck battery before heading back home. We ran like this off the truck for 48 hours using 28% capacity every 24 hours until the power came back Wednesday at Noon. Family got to stay in the house and stay watch in the neighborhood as everyone left their homes to seek warmth and shelter. And yes, my kids who had been embarrassed to be seen in the truck now are very happy we have it. Many thanks to the Tesla team for this amazing product.

I saw a how to video that showed what you did to the furnace to make it permanent. They put a 110 outlet on the furnace by using the wires from the furnace then did what you did and put a plug on so they can plug it into a backup source and when power cones back on just plug it into the 110 outlet.

 

[Bill Carlson]

Have you tried that? Technically, you need a transfer switch to connect ct 240v outlet, just like a generator. I don't think you can find a pre-made male to male 14-50 cable.

I've done it and it works. I have a whip from my generator which is backup option #2. Just need to get an adapter to get from the whip to the cybertruck bed outlet.
Amazon.com: Tellegloww 4 Prong 30 Amp Dryer Adapter Cord Compatible with NEMA 14-30P to L14-30R, 4 Prong Dryer Outlet to Generator Locking Plug Adapter Generator EV Charger Cord, STW 10 AWG, 1ft : Tools & Home Improvement

The adapter might vary based on your NEMA/Generator.

I agree a transfer switch is the best option. Backfeeding panels is not recommended but works in a pinch. It does not fully isolate all connections (e.g. neutral/ground).

 

[pricedm]

House service panel interlock, 50a receptacle, 50a RV-type extension cord. $200 and some DIY time following NEC accepted practices and you have a nice set-up to run the house off your Cybertruck

Lots of owners here motivated me to do this. @Carlos Thomas has a nice video in post #11

 

[HaulingAss]

We live in Nashville and were hit pretty hard by the ice storm, with the power going out Sunday at 6am. The Cybertruck served as our "backup generator" for 4 days and now my kids love me (and my truck again), so thought I would post our experience.

Congrats! We don't know how much we rely on electricity until it's gone. The Cybertruck helps make sure that never happens.

 

[naseer]

We live in Nashville and were hit pretty hard by the ice storm, with the power going out Sunday at 6am. The Cybertruck served as our "backup generator" for 4 days and now my kids love me (and my truck again), so thought I would post our experience.

I had decided against the Gateway & PowerShare because of how rarely we lose power at this house. Thankfully, we had some extension cords that I was able to run to the deep freeze, refrigerator and internet. Then I ran some more for TV, gaming PC, lamps and chargers. It was getting cold fast in the house despite running the gas fireplace (I think it's mainly for show, as it felt colder with the vent open). But I could only get one space heater running before exceeding the max 20A current output on the truck bed 120V outlet.

At that point, I remembered the outlet inside the cabin had a separate 20A outlet, so we were able to run a second space heater and warm things up a little. By Monday morning, it was 55 degrees in the house (the low was 10 degrees outside) and I didn't sleep at all worrying either the fireplace or the space heaters were going to burn the house down. The next night was predicted to have a low of 2-4 degrees. So I got to work with the gas furnace, turned it's breaker off, then disconnected the power source from the house to the furnace, and instead connected the furnace to a stripped power cord coming from the cabin 120v. Voila! The house heated up to a comfy 70 degrees in no time.

Battery charge went from 95% Sunday AM -> 45% Monday at Noon (most of that had been spent running the two space heaters), so since the roads were clearing, we drove out to the Brentwood supercharger and topped off the truck battery before heading back home. We ran like this off the truck for 48 hours using 28% capacity every 24 hours until the power came back Wednesday at Noon. Family got to stay in the house and stay watch in the neighborhood as everyone left their homes to seek warmth and shelter. And yes, my kids who had been embarrassed to be seen in the truck now are very happy we have it. Many thanks to the Tesla team for this amazing product.

Thanks for sharing, this is really helpful and gave me good ideas for the future

 

[easytravelman]

This is the way:

Wow that is excellent and exactly what I need to do in the Sierra foothills. Brilliant.

 

[easytravelman]

This is the way:

Carlos, I will need the gateway installed first correct

 

[Carlos Thomas]

Carlos, I will need the gateway installed first correct

You don't need the Tesla Backup Gateway to do what I just showed in that video. If you have the Tesla Backup Gateway it will do all of that automatically. I elected to do the generator route, so I have a few manual steps as you can see in the video. But it is not a lot to make it happen. It is about $300 worth of equipment and maybe 2 hours of labor for an electrician to do the install.

 

[no%X#XMVk65v#cq]

You don't need the Tesla Backup Gateway to do what I just showed in that video. If you have the Tesla Backup Gateway it will do all of that automatically. I elected to do the generator route, so I have a few manual steps as you can see in the video. But it is not a lot to make it happen. It is about $300 worth of equipment and maybe 2 hours of labor for an electrician to do the install.

QUESTION: Is the positioning of the NEMA 14-50 so low that the tailgate has to be open to accommodate it? Or could you reroute it up and over and just have the tonneau cracked?

 

[HaulingAss]

QUESTION: Is the positioning of the NEMA 14-50 so low that the tailgate has to be open to accommodate it? Or could you reroute it up and over and just have the tonneau cracked?

You can run the power cord out of the upper bed corner with the tailgate up if you want. That would prevent your extension cord from being stolen (or any other valuables you might have in the bed), but that's about it. There is no other issue with just leaving the tailgate open.

 

[CyberGus]

You can run the power cord out of the upper bed corner with the tailgate up if you want. That would prevent your extension cord from being stolen (or any other valuables you might have in the bed), but that's about it. There is no other issue with just leaving the tailgate open.

Well, there is one issue: the truck has no idea that you're tethered to your house, and will happily let you drive away

 

[REM]

make a 14-50 male to male cord

Do this only if you want to kill yourself or be responsible for the death of someone else.

 

[REM]

Well, there is one issue: the truck has no idea that you're tethered to your house, and will happily let you drive away

which is why it's a good idea to place a LO-TO on your steering wheel or seatbelt.

 

[HaulingAss]

Well, there is one issue: the truck has no idea that you're tethered to your house, and will happily let you drive away

All the more reason to leave the tailgate open to provide one more clue to a clueless person. I was taught to always do a quick safety check of tires and surroundings before getting in a vehicle and driving away. It seems some people no longer take responsibility for their actions.

I'm so glad Tesla decided not to prohibit driving when the power outlet had a plug in it. A number of people use the AC power while driving, even a warning chime would be tiresome.

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