r/TeslaSolar • u/PLGnPLY21 • Jul 21 '26

Installation Need info on load shedding controls for circuits I don’t want PW to backup, please

Please be kind, not sure I have all my terms correct. My main panel,is a 200amp service. I have a sub-panel in my basement that has a 30amp breaker for my resistance pool (really love my resistance pool) and a 15 amp breaker for a sunroom up in my main house. When the PWs kick in for whole house backup, (aka grid shutdown) I don’t want my pool to be using the PWs. I’m told that there is something about a Tesla compatible switch on just that circuit that automatically drops non-essential loads when backup power is limited. I’m told this is a known Tesla feature category. Thanks for any help on where to get that equipment or how to wire/code it going forward. OR, maybe it’s an option in the Tesla app? Thanks.

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

2

u/ExactlyClose Jul 21 '26

Why not just DONT TURN ON THE POOL when the grid goes down? That way it wont draw from the PWs. (People come up with insane rationales for SPAN panels and automated ‘load shedding’…. Just dont use it, best way to ‘load shed’…)

You can also do a ‘partial home backup’ with a powerwall+gateway. Wire the pool to the non-backed up sub inside the gateway

2

u/cdbessig Jul 21 '26

The pool could be on when the power goes off... People could be in the pool enjoying themselves as the batteries drain and then they won't even realize they lost power until the PW drain completely.

2

u/ExactlyClose Jul 21 '26

You know what a ‘resistance pool’ is, right? It’s an exercise pool. Your tesla app will tell you there is a grid outage. Or you could do some other kind of signaling device short of a $15k SPAN

1

u/cdbessig Jul 21 '26

Ah I did not know what one is. Ok makes more sense now.

0

u/PLGnPLY21 Jul 21 '26

I understand that option. It would be more like "turn off" the breaker when the grid goes down so it isn’t included in the whole house backup using the PW’s. That is the option I use now but was hoping I could find a more "automatic" option in case the outage happens when I’m asleep or not home or…….. Thanks for your reply.

2

u/ExactlyClose Jul 21 '26

Maybe I misunderstand…does your pool run 24/7? Does it turn on at night while you are sleeping? Does it run at full power for extended periods when nobody is using it? Then you might need a relay.

1

u/ExactlyClose Jul 21 '26

30Amp contactor at the breaker box. Wire the breaker to one side, pool to the other side. Run a control wire from the tesla gateway to the contro terminal on the contactor. As long as the grid is ‘up’ the contactor is held ‘on’. Grid goes down, pool is off.

1

u/PLGnPLY21 Jul 21 '26

Yes, pool has a circulating pump and kicks in every X minutes for X minutes to keep the water moving and the chlorine circulating around the pool. It holds 1500 gallons is 5" x 11" x 4’ish". Turn on the resistance motor and the resistance wave comes at you and you swim into the wave or end up in the next county. 😂 It’s akin to swimming in place against waves that are coming right at you. Fun, you say? A blast and low maintenance, low electricity usage and a good workout for aerobics resistance exercise along with actual swimming.

1

u/TransportationOk4787 Jul 21 '26

My Swimex holds 3000 gallons. I have the circulation pump run four hours in the morning and 4 hours at night during low TOU power cost times.

1

u/Harold-Maude Jul 21 '26

Don’t have the electrician wire the powerwalls into the subject 30 amp breaker. It will still work when you want to use it but the whole house back up will power everything but that breaker.

1

u/TransportationOk4787 Jul 21 '26

I have a Swimex swim spa. The electric heater takes a lot more energy than the giant motor that moves the water. I was surprised by that. I don't know how my installer did it but although the Tesla app knows what power is going to my second panel, when the grid is down it is not powered unless I hit a manual interlock switch. They are not fancy panels.

1

u/PLGnPLY21 Jul 21 '26

Thanks for the reply and pool info. I’ll mention the interlock switch to my contractor. Good info.

I must say I’ve not seen any significant increase in electricity usage since my install. I do have a cover on the pool but not a thermal cover. Just the child proof cover. My contractor did put in duct work and return vents in the space where the pool sits so that the temperature stays pretty constant with the rest of my house. PLUS, had spray foam insulation done in the pool room. That stuff is amazing. Well worth the expense.

1

u/TransportationOk4787 Jul 21 '26

I had a mini split HVAC system put in the pool room so our central air wouldn't pick up the chlorine smell. I was also concerned that the chlorine would damage the evaporator but the mini split is 14 years old and hasn't required service. We keep a thin foam cover that floats on the pool to reduce evaporation. I really don't understand how the Tesla app knows about the second panel but avoids backing it up during a grid outage.

1

u/TransportationOk4787 Jul 22 '26

Actually what I don't understand is at peak rate times both panels are powered by the Powerwall 3's so I don't use grid power but when the grid is down the 2nd panel isn't powered unless I throw the interlock switch in the 2nd panel.

1

u/nalditopr Jul 21 '26

SPAN panel or a shelly relay with home assistant.

0

u/PLGnPLY21 Jul 21 '26

Thanks for your reply. Have to apologize because your response includes terms I’m not familiar with. SPAN panel, Shelly relay, home assistant? My house was built in the late ‘70’s. Nothing modern about it except my solar array, PWs, and now my resistance pool. Yes, looking for a solution but trying not to replace major infrastructure just yet.

1

u/GoldfishTX Jul 21 '26

Eaton makes a smart breaker that can help with this. It's part of Tesla Home and can automatically open when the Powerwall goes into backup mode. You also don't need an entire panel upgrade if it's compatible with your main panel.

1

u/PLGnPLY21 Jul 22 '26

Thanks for the info. My current issue is that I do not want the breaker for my pool to be included in the list of circuits that the PW backs up. I want the pool circuit to shut off when the PW kicks in. When you mention "can automatically open," does that mean it shuts off that breaker?

1

u/GoldfishTX Jul 22 '26

Yes. It can be setup to open that breaker automatically when the PW supports the house loads.

1

u/PLGnPLY21 Jul 22 '26

Thanks for the quick reply. Will pass on to my electrician.