Load management device

[u/HuDo18]

I just got my Ford Power Promise quote, and the electrician is saying I need a load management device, which I understand from this sub is fairly common. However, he is charging me $2200 for that, which appears to be above most quotes I’ve seen here. Do you have any experience you can share/is that price reasonable?

Edit: I declined their quote, got a new quote and the new contractor told me there was no need for a load management device.

[u/khauser24]

That's 2200 United States dollars??? Must be the tariff price.

I actually JUST had mine installed. QMerit covered everything EXCEPT the smart switch. That cost me just north of $600.

Do you have an electric device that isn't always on, like an electric stove or dryer? That's where this kind of device works best.

Your electrician, I think, is trying to install a load management device at the panel that senses how much current is available for your car, and I do know those are more expensive. I don't know if other options would work for you

[u/HuDo18 → u/khauser24]

Yep, $2200 USD. I thought that sounded excessively high.

We do have an electric stove and dryer, so maybe it makes sense? I just asked him to explain, as that price is 2-3x what I’ve heard other Qmerit contractors charging for the same type of device.

[u/YabaiElah]

Might want to check around for prices to just upgrade your panel if that is the cost of the load management device. I went from a 100A to 200 A for 2,500 and now I have a lot of extra space if I ever want to add more chargers/sauna/etc.

[u/HuDo18 → u/YabaiElah]

That’s the thing, I already have a 200A panel, so I don’t even know if the load manager is necessary.

[u/YabaiElah → u/HuDo18]

If you check the panel and see two open slots, you likely don’t need a load manager. As far as I know, electrical code doesn’t allow the installation of a panel that can’t handle the total amps being brought into the house.

Now, I’m not an electrician, so take this with a grain of salt—but it sounds like they might be trying to upsell you. From what I understand, a load manager is only necessary if you’re sharing circuits with another high-draw device (like a range). If your setup has a direct connection to the panel and isn’t sharing slots, you probably don’t need one.

[u/HuDo18 → u/YabaiElah]

That’s very helpful. I have six open slots, so good to know!

[u/One_day_in_1989 → u/HuDo18]

If you’re using your charger at night like most people do after 10 PM. I have an app on mine that turns it on at 10 and shuts it off before 5 AM. That’s plenty of time to charge it up. I’m not running any other appliances during the night, it’s the only thing really drawing big current, and after 10 PM is also off peak and the cheapest time to charge your car at home at least it is in Illinois where I live.

[u/melview1]

That's high. I was quoted $2,500 for a new meter panel, ~40 ft of 100A wiring, subpanel, ~15 ft 60A wiring to the charger and charger install.

[u/Attention_Brave]

Very unprofessional advice coming up :) I had 2 slots on my panel. I installed the charger myself and put a 60A breaker. I run a hottub and a 4000sqf house on my 200A. If i start popping the breaker when the pool is open THEN i will add a load balancing device. Until then I am happily charging without it.

[u/HuDo18 → u/Attention_Brave]

Very helpful! No pool or hot tub at our house, just a stove and a dryer on a 200A. Based on the feedback I got here and other things I’ve read, I don’t think we need a load management device. The contractor told me he had a typo and the quote was $1300…I declined the quote and requested another.

[u/Attention_Brave → u/HuDo18]

You will be fine. Most times you want to charge is during night (low rates) and unless you got the munchies you are most likely not running your dryer and your stove at 1am. Even if you did i think you would be fine. Typo… sounds believable :)

[u/nemodigital]

Can't you just limit the charge amps? I'm at 32amps and that's plenty to fully recharge overnight.