WARNING: Insteon devices are incompatible with Tesla Powerwall

[NightStorm]

Tesla installed a Powerwall 3 a couple of months ago, ever since most of the lights in the house have been flickering. I just got this note from Tesla Powerwall support:

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I have an update of the ticket that we submit regarding the flickering issue.

What's Happening: We've looked into the problem with firmware version 25.42.1 and found that the flickering lights might be caused by your Insteon dimmer switches. These switches use a technology called Power Line Communication (PLC), which alters the AC voltage waveform. This alteration can lead to flickering throughout your house.

Why It’s an Issue: Unfortunately, these Insteon switches aren't compatible with Tesla products because of how they modify the power waveform.

A Simple Solution: We recommend switching to Lutron dimmer switches instead. They've been tested with Tesla systems, like Powerwall, and work reliably without causing flickering.

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If you are like me and have over time replaced most of the devices in your house with Insteon then installing a Tesla Powerwall can come with considerable added expense (not to mention work).

The flickering of lights is highly annoying and not something you are going to want to live with.

- Bruce

[RPSalty]

Whoa, that's huge. I feel your pain. I hope Insteon will comment, but I don't think the technology that Insteon uses alters the power waveform. The technology uses the AC powerlines to carry a signal, at least that's how I understand.

You have probably tried a few tests, but it can be a single module or light that causes all the Insteon controlled devices to flicker. I would also check, are any of the flickering lights NOT connected to an Insteon switch. And lastly, can you isolate the Powerwall so it is not connected to the AC panel of your home. You could also ask are the DC batteries close enough to the AC panel to interfere in some way; all power emits a field of energy, usually not very far, but it's possible. I think the FCC has guidelines on the amount of interference allowed by a device. It could still be a Tesla issue; if it's their device hardware, not firmware, causing the issue.

Running my home on a generator causes all my insteon devices to flicker, bad. To fix that I would need an inverter, which is supposedly what a Powerwall should have as a component.

This is important for me because I am planning a VTH installation with my Volvo in the not-so-distant future. No way I will tolerate flickering lights. I've had flickering lights in the past, and the issue has always been corrected. The usual culprit has been a not so good connection at a switch.

[paulbates]

If you visit forums.universal-device.com, and search there, several users found noise canceling solutions. Some Tesla installers would install them and some wouldn't

[PJL]

This is clearly a tesler problem. The power wall is injecting noise info the house wiring..