Generator support

[gpez]

I use a Mac but do have Terminal and Telnet. I'll explore.

Curl should be built in to the shell. macOS

 

[shs1]

The problem is that I have never been able to monitor my PW2/Gateway from a browser without logging in directly to the Gateway TEG WiFi. My network scanner lists a couple of IP addresses that are not know to me, but I don't know which one is the Gateway. How do you know the local address?

 

[power.saver]

The problem is that I have never been able to monitor my PW2/Gateway from a browser without logging in directly to the Gateway TEG WiFi. My network scanner lists a couple of IP addresses that are not know to me, but I don't know which one is the Gateway. How do you know the local address?

The MAC address of the Gateway will be 00:01:45:XX:XX:XX so if you see a device that starts with 00:01:45 that is it.

Or you can just put the command into your browser for each unknown IP and only the Gateway will respond to it.

https://<IP ADDRESS>/api/meters/aggregates

The one above will return a lot of text. A simpler one you can try first is:

https://<IP ADDRESS>/api/system_status/soe

which will return a shorter string similar to this:

{"percentage":80.67916990345134}

 

[shs1]

I don't see any such MAC address associated with any of the local IP addresses my network scanner sees. Maybe that was never setup. It would be nice to get that going. I did try the suggested strings in my browser using the local IP address 10.0.4.xx but in all cases, it returned with cannot connect to server.

 

[gpez]

If it wasn't set up to connect to your wifi that's likely why. You can log directly in to your TEG and run those commands and/or log in to the Powerwall via a browser and connect it to your wifi then run those commands once your TEG connects to your local network.

To echo power.saver my Powerwall's MAC starts with 00:01:45 as well.

 

[shs1]

My gateway is setup with hardwired Ethernet via a switch in my garage and obviously Tesla sees it as the App works, updates happen, etc.. The Wi-Fi from the house barely gets out to the gateway. Unless I go through the TEG login directly to the Gateway, I have never been able to login otherwise. Maybe it is work adding Wi-Fi access to the gateway although I would have thought that the laptop on Wi-Fi would have found the Gateway via the switch. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[gpez]

My gateway is setup with hardwired Ethernet via a switch in my garage and obviously Tesla sees it as the App works, updates happen, etc.. The Wi-Fi from the house barely gets out to the gateway. Unless I go through the TEG login directly to the Gateway, I have never been able to login otherwise. Maybe it is work adding Wi-Fi access to the gateway although I would have thought that the laptop on Wi-Fi would have found the Gateway via the switch. Thanks for all the help guys!

If you're hardwired then you should absolutely see it on your local network. Could you check your router's DHCP logs or currently connected devices list rather than a network scan?

The Powerwall has cell network access as a fallback if local network connectivity isn't configured or available so I wouldn't be surprised if your network wasn't working that the app still did.

 

[shs1]

No cell service anywhere near where we live, so right now my only connection is via the wired Ethernet.

I logged into my router and can look at DHCP Clients and traffic control. The only wired device I see that is not otherwise known to me identifies as Cisco SPVTG but its MAC address starts with 84:8d. I may just have to disconnect the Ethernet cable and see if it grays out.

 

[cwied]

No cell service anywhere near where we live, so right now my only connection is via the wired Ethernet.

I logged into my router and can look at DHCP Clients and traffic control. The only wired device I see that is not otherwise known to me identifies as Cisco SPVTG but its MAC address starts with 84:8d. I may just have to disconnect the Ethernet cable and see if it grays out.

If you have the ability to scan network traffic, you could also try looking for traffic to 52.88.183.100. It's not a given that all Powerwalls talk to the same host, but given you're also in California, it seems like there's a reasonable chance. My Powerwalls have a continuous conversation with this host on the https port.

 

[shs1]

I went out to near the Gateway and logged in to the TEG, got on to the gateway and found the local IP address, switched to Wi-Fi and now I am on. More later. BTW my MAC address was as expected.

 

[shs1]

Here is my aggregates via the https route. I hope this help unravel the mystery of my 5th icon.

{"site":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:19:31.683814315-07:00","instant_power":-3695.260009765625,"instant_reactive_power":0.24000167846679688,"instant_apparent_power":3695.260017559502,"frequency":60,"energy_exported":11739800.62513894,"energy_imported":36445941.0343056,"instant_average_voltage":123.59500122070312,"instant_total_current":0,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000},"battery":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:19:31.690324312-07:00","instant_power":1700,"instant_reactive_power":-20,"instant_apparent_power":1700.1176429882728,"frequency":59.982,"energy_exported":5061900,"energy_imported":5773230,"instant_average_voltage":248.10000000000002,"instant_total_current":-37.900000000000006,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000},"load":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:19:31.683705315-07:00","instant_power":1691.9636565754809,"instant_reactive_power":-25.206295045833905,"instant_apparent_power":1692.1514035340363,"frequency":60,"energy_exported":0,"energy_imported":46016383.85555555,"instant_average_voltage":123.59500122070312,"instant_total_current":13.689579998095132,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000},"solar":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:19:31.683705315-07:00","instant_power":3726.469970703125,"instant_reactive_power":3.6500000953674316,"instant_apparent_power":3726.471758252415,"frequency":60,"energy_exported":22022529.106263608,"energy_imported":955.6598747185658,"instant_average_voltage":123.57500076293945,"instant_total_current":0,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000}}

Similar from the curl route:
{"site":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:28:04.784472928-07:00","instant_power":-6001.820068359375,"instant_reactive_power":128.2299976348877,"instant_apparent_power":6003.189740900647,"frequency":60,"energy_exported":11740413.020416716,"energy_imported":36445941.0343056,"instant_average_voltage":123.70500183105469,"instant_total_current":0,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000},"battery":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:28:04.790268595-07:00","instant_power":1680,"instant_reactive_power":-60,"instant_apparent_power":1681.071087134628,"frequency":59.998000000000005,"energy_exported":5062140,"energy_imported":5773230,"instant_average_voltage":248.35000000000002,"instant_total_current":-37.900000000000006,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000},"load":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:28:04.784472928-07:00","instant_power":1705.4974911102604,"instant_reactive_power":-37.29575246776232,"instant_apparent_power":1705.9052333982474,"frequency":60,"energy_exported":0,"energy_imported":46016623.735,"instant_average_voltage":123.70500183105469,"instant_total_current":13.78681108981735,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000},"solar":{"last_communication_time":"2020-04-29T15:28:04.784586595-07:00","instant_power":5986.889892578125,"instant_reactive_power":-123.15999984741211,"instant_apparent_power":5988.156558692877,"frequency":60,"energy_exported":22023141.38098583,"energy_imported":955.6598747185658,"instant_average_voltage":123.67499923706055,"instant_total_current":0,"i_a_current":0,"i_b_current":0,"i_c_current":0,"timeout":1500000000}}

 

[gpez]

Huh - only the 4 sections (site/load/solar/battery) and no generator. According to the community Powerwall API documentation (vloschiavo/powerwall2) there is a "generator" secton that some people see. Really odd that your app shows it but it's not on the API.

 

[shs1]

I am pleased to now have the ability monitor the PW from my laptop. Perhaps my problem earlier was that I may have never properly finished the installation and established a user login, although the PW is clearly established with my Tesla account.

I think it is earlier in this thread where I rant about PW support's runaround about my long Ethernet wire being the problem when the installer and the tech from Tesla could not get the install proceed. When they left I got it to happen, setup the CTs, etc. When the 2nd PW arrived, I logged in again as the installer and got that to work.

No idea why I have a generator icon, but no section in the aggregate. Perhaps that is because there has been no monitored current from that source as there are no CTs.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[BGbreeder]

So, if it is true that Tesla does not allow powerwalls to be connected to generators, that means that everything connected to the Powerwall will be dead and unable to be powered during an extended outage in unfavorable weather. If that is true, then perhaps shouldn't the truly critical circuits should be on the generator side of the circuit? Or am I missing something?

Just curious...well, actually trying to plan around PG&E PSPS.

All the best,

BG

 

[Vines]

So, if it is true that Tesla does not allow powerwalls to be connected to generators, that means that everything connected to the Powerwall will be dead and unable to be powered during an extended outage in unfavorable weather. If that is true, then perhaps shouldn't the truly critical circuits should be on the generator side of the circuit? Or am I missing something?

Just curious...well, actually trying to plan around PG&E PSPS.

All the best,

BG

You are correct and this is how we design the majority of systems with a sequential backup design. All the most critical loads are downstream of the generator ATS. In fact there is no reason to have any loads not backed up by both, assuming you have enough generator resources.


For someone who wants to get more creative, now there is an off grid version of the GW firmware, in theory a tinkerer could use a 2 position transfer switch to get generator charging without losing anything. Tesla probably would not be a fan though.

To be grid compliant you would need a non standard electrical design with an ATS upstream protecting the whole feed but definitely possible.

 

[jboy210]

So, if it is true that Tesla does not allow powerwalls to be connected to generators, that means that everything connected to the Powerwall will be dead and unable to be powered during an extended outage in unfavorable weather. If that is true, then perhaps shouldn't the truly critical circuits should be on the generator side of the circuit? Or am I missing something?

Just curious...well, actually trying to plan around PG&E PSPS.

All the best,

BG

At my home in the East Bay the PSPS have occurred in high wind, low humidity situations with little cloud cover, so good for solar power. If we got a little rain or cloud cover with higher humidity there would likely be no PSPS since the fire danger would be lower.

We had 4 days of PSPS last year and I am pretty confident that the Powerwalls we just installed will provide power if we have similar events again.

And we still have a portable gas generator just in case. It can power a fridge, charge phones, and supply power to the electronics in our gas-fired tankless water heater.

 

[BGbreeder]

Thanks for clarifying and sorry for being dense, but I am having trouble understanding where the most critical loads go. Are you are suggesting this;

Grid-> ATS -> main panel -> powerwall gateway -> powerwall generator panel -> powerwall

with the ATS switching between grid and generator and the critical loads being on the main panel?

Our problem load is the well pump which is hardwired and we absolutely have to be able to power it with a generator. However, we are being told to put it on the powerwall panel, and I don't see what happens during an extended winter outage.

Thanks again.

All the best,

BG

You are correct and this is how we design the majority of systems with a sequential backup design. All the most critical loads are downstream of the generator ATS. In fact there is no reason to have any loads not backed up by both, assuming you have enough generator resources.


For someone who wants to get more creative, now there is an off grid version of the GW firmware, in theory a tinkerer could use a 2 position transfer switch to get generator charging without losing anything. Tesla probably would not be a fan though.

To be grid compliant you would need a non standard electrical design with an ATS upstream protecting the whole feed but definitely possible.

 

[Vines]

Thanks for clarifying and sorry for being dense, but I am having trouble understanding where the most critical loads go. Are you are suggesting this;

Grid-> ATS -> main panel -> powerwall gateway -> powerwall generator panel -> powerwall

with the ATS switching between grid and generator and the critical loads being on the main panel?

Our problem load is the well pump which is hardwired and we absolutely have to be able to power it with a generator. However, we are being told to put it on the powerwall panel, and I don't see what happens during an extended winter outage.

Thanks again.

All the best,

BG

In a Tesla Approved scenario with a generator and you have a sequential backup, the Generator ATS goes downstream of the Gateway.
Grid->Main Panel->Backup Gateway-> Powerwall and PV generation panel->Generator ATS->Essential Loads panel.

The biggest downside is that excess generator capacity cannot recharge the Powerwall batteries, only the PV can do this.

 

[BGbreeder]

In a Tesla Approved scenario with a generator and you have a sequential backup, the Generator ATS goes downstream of the Gateway.
Grid->Main Panel->Backup Gateway-> Powerwall and PV generation panel->Generator ATS->Essential Loads panel.

The biggest downside is that excess generator capacity cannot recharge the Powerwall batteries, only the PV can do this.

Awesome! That makes sense, and I can now see how it is compliant with Tesla's non-generator charging requirement.

Thanks!

BG

 

[miimura]

Awesome! That makes sense, and I can now see how it is compliant with Tesla's non-generator charging requirement.

Thanks!

BG

The diagram in Post #3 of this thread shows the schematic.