Post by hescores on Dec 1, 2009 9:31:57 GMT -6
As some may recall I had to upgrade the electric to my detached garage because what was there wasn't close to being sufficient for my needs. The DC and planer would pop the circuit by themselves so I certainly couldn't run the DC at the same time as any other tools. Not to mention that the lights would dim then come back on whenever I started my TS or compressor.
Anyhow, so that was the problem. The solution was to upgrade the electric. The bigger problem? Me! I am electrically challenged. I never really liked working with electric. First off I really never had anyone show me what to do or how things are done so the extent of my knowledge was pretty much self taught and included nothing more than replacing outlets, switches, and ceiling fans. Although those were pretty much "look at what was already there and connect the wires back to the way they were". If I ran into a problem, I was pretty much screwed.
Could I have read up on some things, asked questions of friends, relatives, here at WoW? Sure I could have, but I also have a bit of a mental block when it comes to electric. Basically electric scares the hell out of me. You know, the whole, "if you do something wrong and come home to pile of smoldering embers where your house once stood" is not really a scenario I'd like to experience. So, it was time to pay the piper so to speak.
I called a few companies and they came out for estimates, etc. and I also had our maintenance guy at work, who does side jobs, come out to take a look. I ultimately went with the guy from work. His cost, $500, with my help. While it pained me to have to pay someone to come in to do a job that should physically be capable of doing and would ultimately like to do, but again I know my limits and this was one of them.
So, he came over we ran new pipe underground and brought in 3 new 20 amp circuits. The first 20 took care of the existing wiriing (basically the lighting and my outside outlet) the other two 20s are for machinery. It's great! I was able to add some lights and last night had to start up the compressor for the car tires and it hummed along without ever getting dim and when it kicked back on I didn't have to worry about it popping the circuit.
So, I just wanted to share that it was certainly money well spent. Not only did I get the wiring upgraded, but I actually learned a lot. I can safely say that I'd have no problems attempting to install a new circuit or adding on to an existing one. While I know that I don't know everything there is to know, I've most certainly extended my limits. I need to install two outlets in the front of my house and that is a project I'm looking forward to completing this spring by myself. Well, ok, I'll probably have bleedsblkhwkred come over to make it more fun and give him an excuse to get out of the house, but at least that will be by choice not necessity.
Anyhow, so that was the problem. The solution was to upgrade the electric. The bigger problem? Me! I am electrically challenged. I never really liked working with electric. First off I really never had anyone show me what to do or how things are done so the extent of my knowledge was pretty much self taught and included nothing more than replacing outlets, switches, and ceiling fans. Although those were pretty much "look at what was already there and connect the wires back to the way they were". If I ran into a problem, I was pretty much screwed.
Could I have read up on some things, asked questions of friends, relatives, here at WoW? Sure I could have, but I also have a bit of a mental block when it comes to electric. Basically electric scares the hell out of me. You know, the whole, "if you do something wrong and come home to pile of smoldering embers where your house once stood" is not really a scenario I'd like to experience. So, it was time to pay the piper so to speak.
I called a few companies and they came out for estimates, etc. and I also had our maintenance guy at work, who does side jobs, come out to take a look. I ultimately went with the guy from work. His cost, $500, with my help. While it pained me to have to pay someone to come in to do a job that should physically be capable of doing and would ultimately like to do, but again I know my limits and this was one of them.
So, he came over we ran new pipe underground and brought in 3 new 20 amp circuits. The first 20 took care of the existing wiriing (basically the lighting and my outside outlet) the other two 20s are for machinery. It's great! I was able to add some lights and last night had to start up the compressor for the car tires and it hummed along without ever getting dim and when it kicked back on I didn't have to worry about it popping the circuit.
So, I just wanted to share that it was certainly money well spent. Not only did I get the wiring upgraded, but I actually learned a lot. I can safely say that I'd have no problems attempting to install a new circuit or adding on to an existing one. While I know that I don't know everything there is to know, I've most certainly extended my limits. I need to install two outlets in the front of my house and that is a project I'm looking forward to completing this spring by myself. Well, ok, I'll probably have bleedsblkhwkred come over to make it more fun and give him an excuse to get out of the house, but at least that will be by choice not necessity.
