Easy way to safely access backup power for home and free (for some PG&E customers)

[ThatGuy10]

I am in Holiday Shores. And have Southwestern Electric COOP.

Oh ok I am in Hamel. I drive the blue lightning. I have Ameren. Keep me updated if you figure what you’re going to do.

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[Iroc34a]

Oh ok I am in Hamel. I drive the blue lightning. I have Ameren. Keep me updated if you figure what you’re going to do.

Ok. Cool. I actually have seen you driving . Think it was Bethalto one day. Nice looking truck

 

[pppcory]

​

OK, here's the back up power cable supplied by PG&E....it has a standard twist-loc plug for connecting to the Lightning and, what I assume is a standard generator input connector on the other end. Yes, there are four conductors at each end of the cable....L,N,L, and ground. I checked continuity through the cable for each conductor and found that YES, as was speculated by some, the ground conductor DOES NOT PASS THROUGH THE CABLE FROM THE LIGHTNING TO THE METER CONNECTOR. There is actually just L-N-L making the connection....no ground! And yes, as this connects right to the meter, upstream from your main breaker and panel, no ground is required.This must be why it's working with no GFIC tripping problems. It just works!​

Is there a safety issue? The truck circuitry is still protected by its built in GFIC and the house is presumably protected by its own circuitry. The truck maintains its own ground as does the house. Is an ungrounded cable an issue when both ends have their own (though different) grounds? Hmmmm.​

I'm guessing that PG&E, being a large electric utility, has thoroughly looked at this. I'm just pleased that it works and is a great and easy solution to what I thought was going to be a difficult problem. Thank you PG&E.​

Thanks @dmd3home for this find!
This a big deal for those that don’t have access to the PG&E program.
Perhaps users of the GenerLink could accomplish the same thing by modifying the plug end of cable that attaches to the transfer switch. It appears to be a clamp and screw style plug end vs a molded plug that can’t be opened. Simply disconnecting the ground in the connector would maintain ground throughout the cable with the exception of the last inch at the pin.
I’m considering the purchase of the GenerLink but would love to hear confirmation by a few others that continuity doesn’t exist on the ground pin of the PG&E cable to be sure it isn’t coincidence.
Has anyone else that is able to transfer power from their Lightning with the Tesco/PG&E BPTM, tested the PG&E cable for ground pin continuity?

Thanks!

 

[Zaptor]

Oh ok I am in Hamel. I drive the blue lightning. I have Ameren. Keep me updated if you figure what you’re going to do.

This truck looks great with the paint matched grill accents and blacked out bar, and the stripes work really well too IMO. Nice job.
Cheers
Zap

 

[dmd3home]

Indeed! I have been using this set up for about 2 years now through about 5 outages. Interestingly though the cord I got from PG&E fit the truck fine. No expense on my part, for whole house back up (ok, with some loads disconnected). Sweet!

 

[scoobybri]

Too bad the Generlink only powers 200 amp service. Those of us with 400 amp service are SOL.

 

[Runaway Tractor]

Hi @Wsh68, I work for Ford Motor Company and would like to discuss your experiences with PG&E's backup power transfer meter. Would you please contact me at [email protected] or (313) 377-6600? We are very excited to hear more about your experiences! Thank you, Amanda Roraff

Here is my LinkedIn profile, so you can verify that I'm not a bot. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaroraff/

The user you're replying too hasn't been here in 8 months and posted this in 2023. Considering your position at Ford, I sincerely hope you're aware of the irony your getting here too late. Ford completely dropped the ball on their energy services in every way. You left your customers literally in the dark. You cost your customers $10,000+ trusting that your division of your company was providing a functional system. Instead, your division of your company screwed everyone. Many members of this forum reading your post in this thread are your victims.

This thread is about a workaround BECAUSE YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK.

 

[mr.Magoo]

Hi @Wsh68, I work for Ford Motor Company and would like to discuss your experiences with PG&E's backup power transfer meter. Would you please contact me at [email protected] or (313) 377-6600? We are very excited to hear more about your experiences! Thank you, Amanda Roraff

Hello Amanda,

DTE just launched a program using a GenerLink device as well.
https://www.dteenergy.com/us/en/res...-details.html#tabs-cfa9f10332-item-fa04c73b3b

They specifically say that its not suitable for generators with gfci, but so did the PG&E version so who knows.
Perhaps someone at Ford could be a guinea pig? I'd be very interested in this solution if it works.

 

[frautumn]

Interestingly though the cord I got from PG&E fit the truck fine

What year Lightning and what trim? I have a '22 Lariat SR and had the same issue as the OP that required the adapter.

 

[Vulnox]

Hello Amanda,

DTE just launched a program using a GenerLink device as well.
https://www.dteenergy.com/us/en/res...-details.html#tabs-cfa9f10332-item-fa04c73b3b

They specifically say that its not suitable for generators with gfci, but so did the PG&E version so who knows.
Perhaps someone at Ford could be a guinea pig? I'd be very interested in this solution if it works.

I saw the flyers for it. But I wonder what cable options they have. We have a large open frame generator with a 50 amp outlet that will run basically our entire house, including air conditioner. Right now I have it coming in through a generator inlet to our breaker and have an interlock.

I suppose we could have this installed as well and use it just for the Lightning, just not sure how much it would complicate our already fairly complicated set up since we also have solar panels.

 

[RickLightning]

Hello Amanda,

DTE just launched a program using a GenerLink device as well.
https://www.dteenergy.com/us/en/res...-details.html#tabs-cfa9f10332-item-fa04c73b3b

They specifically say that its not suitable for generators with gfci, but so did the PG&E version so who knows.
Perhaps someone at Ford could be a guinea pig? I'd be very interested in this solution if it works.

I saw the flyers for it. But I wonder what cable options they have. We have a large open frame generator with a 50 amp outlet that will run basically our entire house, including air conditioner. Right now I have it coming in through a generator inlet to our breaker and have an interlock.

I suppose we could have this installed as well and use it just for the Lightning, just not sure how much it would complicate our already fairly complicated set up since we also have solar panels.

This is not new with DTE. And, DTE charges an installation fee plus a monthly fee. PG&E is FREE for their customers. $22.99 x 12 = $275.88 plus the installation fee of $49.99.

I looked into this in early 2024, and then discounted it as a solution for me due to the ongoing cost. We put in a whole house generator 4 years ago after frequent outages over 14 years. I would consider a product like Generlink, for free, because they if we're home and the power demand is 30amps or less AND the outage will be extended, I can save money vs. running a 19kW natural gas generator that uses more expensive fuel. But any savings would be outweighed by the ongoing monthly cost.

Of course the Lightning needs to be home, and charged up, to use this. Generator doesn't.

 

[Vulnox]

This is not new with DTE. And, DTE charges an installation fee plus a monthly fee. PG&E is FREE for their customers. $22.99 x 12 = $275.88 plus the installation fee of $49.99.

I looked into this in early 2024, and then discounted it as a solution for me due to the ongoing cost. We put in a whole house generator 4 years ago after frequent outages over 14 years. I would consider a product like Generlink, for free, because they if we're home and the power demand is 30amps or less AND the outage will be extended, I can save money vs. running a 19kW natural gas generator that uses more expensive fuel. But any savings would be outweighed by the ongoing monthly cost.

Of course the Lightning needs to be home, and charged up, to use this. Generator doesn't.

Yeah, the monthly fee is tough to stomach. We had a couple extended outages last year, but prior to that I think we only had one other that last more than a day for the ~7 years we had been here to that point and since the last outage haven't had any issues. Would be tough to put much more money into another back up system at this point.

The open frame generator we have is loud and has poor THD, so I previously ran extension cables for TVs, Computers, Refrigerators to our PowerBoost F-150 but would do the same for the Lightning since it provides much cleaner power.

It's the one thing the CyberTruck got (I think, or maybe the Silverado?) that I wish we had which was a 50 amp outlet instead of the 30 amp with ProPower. Would have made the move a lot simpler since I am already wired for 50 amp back up. But again it hasn't been a common enough concern so far.

 

[RickLightning]

Yeah, the monthly fee is tough to stomach. We had a couple extended outages last year, but prior to that I think we only had one other that last more than a day for the ~7 years we had been here to that point and since the last outage haven't had any issues. Would be tough to put much more money into another back up system at this point.

The open frame generator we have is loud and has poor THD, so I previously ran extension cables for TVs, Computers, Refrigerators to our PowerBoost F-150 but would do the same for the Lightning since it provides much cleaner power.

It's the one thing the CyberTruck got (I think, or maybe the Silverado?) that I wish we had which was a 50 amp outlet instead of the 30 amp with ProPower. Would have made the move a lot simpler since I am already wired for 50 amp back up. But again it hasn't been a common enough concern so far.

As one would expect, when we did our evaluation to go to a generator, our outages were ridiculous. Had 6 one year. Power would go out, and a neighbor would look out his back window, call DTE, and say "it's in my backyard". Probably 3 out of 4 were right behind his house. So we got the generator, because we wanted to be able to be away from home and not think about it.

Months later, we were in Florida at my son's and the power went out (winter) for a few days. Generator ran fine. So when we bought the Lightning, I never considered Ford's solution, and when I found out that DTE was charging a monthly fee for this, ignored it also.

Of course, our outages are almost non-existent in the last ~ 2 years. DTE finally clear cut maybe 50 feet on either side of the lines through the nearby village and into our development. Looks horrible - for the property owners it affects - but it stopped our outages.

Of course they said it was going to be free to trim it, and then maybe 8 months later included it as a line item on the bills. I hate DTE.

 

[Vulnox]

As one would expect, when we did our evaluation to go to a generator, our outages were ridiculous. Had 6 one year. Power would go out, and a neighbor would look out his back window, call DTE, and say "it's in my backyard". Probably 3 out of 4 were right behind his house. So we got the generator, because we wanted to be able to be away from home and not think about it.

Months later, we were in Florida at my son's and the power went out (winter) for a few days. Generator ran fine. So when we bought the Lightning, I never considered Ford's solution, and when I found out that DTE was charging a monthly fee for this, ignored it also.

Of course, our outages are almost non-existent in the last ~ 2 years. DTE finally clear cut maybe 50 feet on either side of the lines through the nearby village and into our development. Looks horrible - for the property owners it affects - but it stopped our outages.

Of course they said it was going to be free to trim it, and then maybe 8 months later included it as a line item on the bills. I hate DTE.

Glad you got some relief. Yeah we had the one outage I mentioned and had borrowed my uncle's old generator at the time to get through it. So I bought the one we have now for the next time, and like you mentioned, we then went a few years with no outages. Our in-laws had a couple as did a friend so they used it more than we did.

But agree on DTE, they are up there for being pretty awful as far as utilities go. Only thing that benefits us is since we got solar, whenever they raise rates it just cuts down on our time to break even on the investment. And they seem to love raising rates. We started off with 15 year payback time (roughly) and are down to less than 7 years with the rate changes.

 

[RickLightning]

Glad you got some relief. Yeah we had the one outage I mentioned and had borrowed my uncle's old generator at the time to get through it. So I bought the one we have now for the next time, and like you mentioned, we then went a few years with no outages. Our in-laws had a couple as did a friend so they used it more than we did.

But agree on DTE, they are up there for being pretty awful as far as utilities go. Only thing that benefits us is since we got solar, whenever they raise rates it just cuts down on our time to break even on the investment. And they seem to love raising rates. We started off with 15 year payback time (roughly) and are down to less than 7 years with the rate changes.

No idea what rate plan you are on, or your usage pattern. But when we ordered our 2018 Fusion Energi, I examined the plans at that time and found that the Time of Day plan, which has peak hours from 11AM to 7PM, was cheaper even before the PHEV arrived, so we switched. Back then there were maybe 5 days a year where it was more expensive due to AC running.

Rate has gone up every year. Currently, in the May - October window, we are paying 14.5 cents (plus misc other chargers that work out to 16.2 cents total), as compared to our peak rate which is 26.7 cents. Last time I calculated it that off-peak rate was 15.5 cents total, so it has crept up again. We had to switch to that or the EV plan with a separate meter to get the $500 EV charger rebate.

We got lucky by switching, because last year or so they moved everyone to to the Time of Day plan with 3 to 7PM peak, which has a higher off-peak than ours, but they can't move us because of the plan we are on. Roughly 80% of our usage is off-peak.

They also used to pay $100 a year for the SmartCharge program, which is now $5 a month ($60 a year).

Costs are going up on everything. When I planned retirement, I laid out a budget (not to adhere to, but to plan to make sure we had enough money), and these latest increases across the board exceed that. I also add in money each year for crap happens, and we're fine, but it keeps getting more expensive.

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