It is finished.

[dbhost]

The TNMP (Texas New Mexico Power) guy was bright and early 2 hours late this morning, but the electrician and his helper were busting their tails getting everything done they could before he showed up. Then disconnected us, pulled the bigger, and I mean BIGGER main run from the meter to the panel, made all the connections, got the inspection done, and got the power back on and everything verified double and triple checked by 2:00 P.M. and yes, just to test it out, I ran the air compressor, dust collector, and AC at the same time, no thrown breakers!

Mind you, this was so much more than a simple sub panel, probably 75% of the time and cost was because we were replacing, and upgrading the main panel at the same time, so yeah, this ended up being expensive... Honestly, if I had just done a sub panel job, this might have cost me $300.00 to $400.00 max, parts, labor, permits etc... I am not 100% certain of the final total, but I am pretty sure it is over $1,200.00... The good thing is though, we have plenty of open spaces if we want to add power to the upcoming shed, or even a hot tub...

Now to get to the insulation and re-rocking of my shop, re running my DC ductwork...

I do need to re-orient the dust collector and the dust bin, the socket for the air compressor and dust collector is right in the side of the tool box...

[pelligrini]

Cool, it's sure nice to have plenty of power. I was very pleased when I ran a sub-panel to my shed. Working off a long extension cord or two wasn't fun. I had a window unit in the wall, but I could never turn it on.

[dbhost]

Sort of figures... I get it to where I can work with the ac, and a cold front is expected...

[pelligrini]

Now you can plug in an electric heater then.

[Stytooner]

Our cold fronts ain't really that cold compared to up yonder.

I think 55 F is expected here tonight. Brrr. I need to hunt up my terricloth robe.

Good job on the shop, David. I know you are glad to have it progressing.

[toolguy1000]

was that $1200 for a new main panel and a sub panel?

[LCHIEN]

shops are much more pleasant with sufficient power to run everything you need at once and not have to juggle power or worry about blowing breakers at a critical cut.

I added four breakers to my garage some time back and its been nice.

[cabinetman]

No more unplugging and plugging. Just to be safe, I wouldn't turn everything on at once just to test it.

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[dbhost]

was that $1200 for a new main panel and a sub panel?

Increased service from the power company, new main panel, new sub, added a total of 5 circuits. 3 110V and 2 220. Should be more than enough for quite a while... All new breakers throughout, and GFCIs.

Yeah, total right at around $1,200.00

All things considered, I really can't complain. Biggest expense was wire. I bought the material, and got through coupons and price matches things like the 40 circuit 200 amp main panel for $129.00 with most of the breakers included.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Congrats Dave. Where are the photos?

[cabinetman]

Congrats Dave. Where are the photos?

+1. For pictures. BTW, did you use copper?


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[dbhost]

Congrats Dave. Where are the photos?

On my phone.

[dbhost]

Yes I used copper. And yes, I am STUNNED by how little it cost. I actually sourced the majority of the material at Home Depot and Lowes...

[dbhost]

Okay fine, since you insist...

First pic is the wall stripped and ready to go, second pic is same view of wall with the outlets installed, then the wall with the 110V and 220V outlets for compressor, dust collector, and future cyclone. This can be upgraded to 30 amp by swapping an outlet and a breaker. Next photo is the HVAC outlet. 110V. For what it's worth, the AC works so MUCH better on a dedicated circuit. Even without the insulation or sheetrock the garage got down to temp is less than an hour and nothing electrical got warm.. The last photo is the sub panel itself, the outlet shown is a dedicated circuit (hmm, I guess that makes 4 110V circuits...), that feeds the water softener R.O. system...

The outlets are well off the floor, but are far enough down to fit easily under the clam shell cabinets...

[cabinetman]

Looks good. BTW...your phone takes pretty good pictures.

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