Should I swap my Gateway 1 for the Gateway 2?
- Thread starter omega
- Start date
From what I read, since you already have an in place installation using GW1, there wouldnt be much difference in GW2 for you at this stage (however I am not an electrical expert, so...).
What I read about the differences are, the ability to possibly reduce the use of a sub panel or combine backed up and non backed up loads in the GW2, possibly reducing the number of boxes / simplifying setup.
Since your install is already in place, to "simplify" your setup and remove boxes would be a re work, and might be a major one. If you arent re working it, then it would mostly be the look of GW2 vs gateway one (aesthetics).
Thanks but thats not what Im reading...
"The new version also includes a range of new features, including fast data, improved connectivity, and the ability to work with three phase homes that will enable up to 10 Powerwalls to be connected on-grid and up to 4 Powerwalls for single phase back-up during an outage.
Among the new features of the Backup Gateway 2 is 0.2% site-level metering accuracy when using in-built CTs, allowing Powerwall owners to unlock future value by participating in virtual power plants, and it is equipped with LTE for faster data transfer for monitoring and over-the-air-updates."
"The new version also includes a range of new features, including fast data, improved connectivity, and the ability to work with three phase homes that will enable up to 10 Powerwalls to be connected on-grid and up to 4 Powerwalls for single phase back-up during an outage.
Among the new features of the Backup Gateway 2 is 0.2% site-level metering accuracy when using in-built CTs, allowing Powerwall owners to unlock future value by participating in virtual power plants, and it is equipped with LTE for faster data transfer for monitoring and over-the-air-updates."
bkp_duke
Active Member
All of those except 3-phase support are "incremental" and minor.
1) your powerwall should be using your WiFi for best connectivity (much faster than LTE) - and even if it isn't, the amount of data transmitted is very small, even for firmware updates.
2) all but the largest (and I mean HUGE) homes in the US run on a single phase, so 3 phase support doesn't matter - this is why GW2 was rolled out to countries outside of the US first
3) The "site-level metering accuracy" is actually close to what was already provided by GW1.
And as someone else already pointed out, this will likely not be a 1 for 1 swap of the GW1 for GW2. Significant re-wiring could be required.
Vines
Active Member
Which new feature are you wanting? If your GW1 wifi connectivity is dropping off that's one good reason
The question is, how many of those features will you use? As long as your system has a good 3G cellular signal, then LTE isn’t really going to do anything for you. Faster data is a benefit of LTE, but the gateway doesn’t send a lot of data anyway, so I’m not sure that fast data would provide much of a benefit. And frankly the gateway probably does most of it’s communication over WiFi or a wired ethernet connection. Your home isn’t three phase and likely never will be, so I’m not sure that buys you anything.
The new metering accuracy might be nice when and if the virtual power plant thing happens, but I suspect that’s quite a ways down the road. And then you need to consider whether you would even want to use your powerwalls for that, as that will then limit their usefulness for the things you actually bought them for, like providing backup power for your house and/or load shifting.
I think most of those new features are slight improvements. The biggest things about Energy Gateway 2 is decreased size and better looks.
The communication over LTE has no impact on many installations because these have Wifi or Ethernet connections. And my Ethernet connection gives the gateway 1 Gbps down and 50 Mbps up. Much faster than LTE on my phone.
The communication over LTE has no impact on many installations because these have Wifi or Ethernet connections. And my Ethernet connection gives the gateway 1 Gbps down and 50 Mbps up. Much faster than LTE on my phone.
Tesla is here and need to make this decision now (LOL)...True Im wired to teh GW1 now, but comcast is being really shitty lately (tons of drops).
Mostly what attracts me is the virtual power plant...
Would you swap? I think it came with 1k installation credit, so if I swap I will end up paying 1k. If I don't I'm hoping 1k redit would be more than enough to add 1 PW. Also sell GW2.
Thoughts?
Mostly what attracts me is the virtual power plant...
Would you swap? I think it came with 1k installation credit, so if I swap I will end up paying 1k. If I don't I'm hoping 1k redit would be more than enough to add 1 PW. Also sell GW2.
Thoughts?
You could always spend the money. It does look better. Regarding Comcast, you should ask them why you are having issues. We see a clean 1Gpbs down and 50 mbps up on our Comcast/Xfinity service.
The virtual powerplant does not interest me. The rate will be minimal and I prefer to ensure the Powerwalls are reserved for me alone.
Vines
Active Member
If its burning a hole in your pocket, then do it. At least you wont have FOMO.
I have GW1 and participate with Virtual Power Plant program with my utility provider. So I don't think it is a limitation in GW1.
Personally I don’t think it’s worth paying $1K for, but if you think the new features might be a benefit to you or you like the shiny new glass look and that’s worth $1k to you, then go for it.
It ended up helping us in our design as we were able to remove the combiner "generation panel" and just run everything into the internal panel...i was surprised to see the GW2 can handle a 200 amp breaker. i originally thought it maxed at 125 amps. We were able to get two powerwall 30 amp breakers and a 60 amp pv breaker all into the GW2. it still has room for more it would seem as well.
Vines
Active Member
Yes the GW2 can handle a 200A main breaker.
The internal MLO panel bard handles a 125A max branch circuit breaker. This can be configured to be a main breaker, by backfeeding the bus. Hold down kit is provided that retains all breakers.
The internal MLO panel bard handles a 125A max branch circuit breaker. This can be configured to be a main breaker, by backfeeding the bus. Hold down kit is provided that retains all breakers.
def makes the setup much cleaner with less panels. Very happy we can get rid of the ugly generation panel.
@omega is talking about swapping out an existing GW1 with a new GW2 for a system that’s already been installed. In that case I suspect that they would just keep the existing panels. Trying to remove a panel would be additional work and probably additional cost as well.
If this is a feature that he wants, then it’s worth discussing the option to remove the panel, but I suspect that it would not be included in the $1K quote that he has to swap out the gateway.
holeydonut
Supporting Member
I thought the red ones were the founder-editions... how did you add new red ones? Or are you vinyl-wrapping them yourself?
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