So it appears the installation is going to cost me a lot more than I expected. I bought the wall charger shortly after buying my Model 3 (midrange battery) at the end of December. I called almost all the Tesla recommended electricians for my area. First one on the list didn't want to the hassle permitting. I want permits. Second guy said he could do it from the existing panel and offered this ($):
- Furnish and install conduit, wiring, circuit breaker to serve your new Tesla Wall Connector
- Furnish and install 2-#6 & 1-#10 THHN in conduit from circuit breaker to charger
- Install all properly spaced supports on conduit per NEC
- Install one new 2 pole , 240v, 60 Amp Circuit breaker to serve circuit
- Make final connections in Electric panel and provide proper grounding
- Install a new Tesla Wall Connector (owner supplied)
- Test, Identify and label circuit breaker
Second company offered ($$):
Remove (1) 150-amp interior panel ; Wire, Supply, & Install (1) 150-amp, 120/240-volt single phast MCB panel ; Breakers as required ; Tesla Wall Connector - Wire, Supply, & Install (1) 60-amp, 2-pole breaker ; (20’) Allowance conduit and wire for 60-amp circuit ; Wire & Install (1) Tesla wall connector (provided by customer)
Third company was double the price of the second company and offered ($$$$):
Replace existing 150amp electrical panel with new 150amp MCB panel including new breakers. Run a dedicated
60amp circuit from panel to customer supplied Tesla wall charger and a dedicated 50amp circuit to a NEMA 14-50
outlet. Tesla wall charger to be installed in garage on the right when facing out on the side wall and NEMA 14-50
outlet will be installed outside on wall on same side. Circuits will be ran in conduit and mounted on surface or wall/ceiling.
Including: Permit, inspection, labor and materials to complete job as described above.
Fourth company said ($$): the best and most cost effective solution would be to upgrade the [outside] meter to a 200 amp meter combo providing an extra layer of protection to the existing electrical panel in the garage. From the meter combo we have available space for the Tesla wall connector and their proposal was initially: PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW METER COMBO 200 AMPS SQUARE "D"; PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW OVER CURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE FOR
TESLA WALL CONNECTOR; INSTALL NEW TESLA WALL CONNECTOR (TESLA WALL CONNECTOR PROVIDED BY OWNER); PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW GROUNDING ELECTRODE ACCORDING TO NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE.
He said I have no free room in my current panel for the Tesla charger.
Fourth company also offered the route of changing out the panel with this proposal ($$$$): PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW METER COMBO 200 AMPS SQUARE "D"; PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW GROUNDING ELECTRODE ACCORDING TO NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE; PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW ELECTRICAL PANEL SINGLE PHASE 120/240 VOLT 60 HZ 42 SPACES; PROVIDE AND INSTALL ALL NEW CIRCUIT BREAKERS ACCORDING TO EXISTING LOADS BRAND SQUARE D; PROVIDE POWER FOR NEW TESLA WALL CONNECTOR (TESLA WALL PROVIDE BY OWNER AND INSTALL BY US); REPLACE EXISTING ALUMINUM FEEDERS FOR COOPERS FROM NEW METER; COMBO TO NEW PANEL USING EXISTING CONDUIT TO PROVIDE 200 AMPS
The 4th guy didnt think I have enough amperage coming into the house to run a Tesla charger off the existing panel. The first two companies didn't mention this. My existing panel is I think a split 120 amp panel (60 on each side) - they said it is outdated and needs to be changed but didnt mention there was a problem with available power. I liked the last guys offer best he himself isn't a licensed electrician. He is the President of the company that is licensed by the state of Florida, but he personally doesn't have a license (I looked him up) - is this a problem?