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Work and a few other things have de-reailed my layout, but something came up this week I knew was going to come one day.  The panel on my house is a dreaded Zinsco.  I bought the house with it, they were widely used around here in the 1960s.  Well I am starting to get failure on one of the breakers.  So the new panel will be put in next Monday.  $2000.00 for a new 200 amp service it was only $200 less to put in 100 amps  I have a big house built in 1965, so 200 amps is what we are putting in.

Now that puts a dent in the train budget.

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Ouch. Don't you just hate it when life gets in the way of having fun with trains. That's not a bad price for a new 200 amp service but it still sucks to shell out the money. Good move not getting the 100 amp. I have an old house I let my son use for college. Still has fuses. I know the day is coming to upgrade but hopefully I will sell it by then.

 

I do need to run some wires, maybe a sub panel, to my basement for my layout. Too many extensions cords need to clean it up. Although trains don't use a lot of amps they do need lots of outlets. I must have 15 different train related things plugged in for my layout.

Can't do that know. The only one who can sign off is the Electrical/ Building inspector. And a lot of places used to let homeowners pull permit and install as long as they follow procedures. But you still had to pass inspection. Now most municipalities require a license to pull a permit. And unless he is a friend, he is going to want the profit. Plus it is his license and insurance on the line. Still the inspector will need to sign off before permit is closed out. I think the plumbers were the first to get this monopoly going. I have heard of plumbers driving around on trash day and turning in homeowners if there is a toilet or water heater in the trash. Homeowner gets fined and has to rip it out. Nice and friendly way to drum up business. Not all plumbers of course. Fred.

I have done many home improvement projects here at my house.  I am very good with plaster

I can do electrical work, I have done a lot in the past, but the panel and new riser for the overhead feed - no thanks, I'll go sell another house which is what I should be doing with my day anyway and hire out.  Saving money is great for this tight wad - but this time, the money I would save on trying to do most the work on my own would be a losing proposition on what a couple new clients would provide if I spent that time helping a couple of families buy or sell a home.  I think it is called stepping over dollars to pick up nickles.

Don't forget whole house surge protection.  Everything comes with a microprocessor.  Had to replace the board in the refrigerator.  I found the SquareD 80kA for $129 at Home Depot online only.  You can't search for it under Surge protectors, look for Square D by Schneider Electric Home Electronics Protective Device (HEPD). There are cheaper ones but they are not as good. Your electrician my want ~$500 to add one, I will be installing my own.

Dan

Also, with 200 amp service you get a bigger panel which will hold more breakers.  I still had to add a sub panel for the house I built 7 years ago.

Gentlemen,

    Each state has different laws, make sure you know them as you do your installation, I installed my new breaker box in both my homes along with the

switch transfer box for my Generators.  One of my good friends is a Master Licensed Electrician, he simply signed off on the work after inspecting and testing it. 

If you know how to do the work and have friends, you can save a lot of money.

 

TMack,

  Having watched your home train video, IMO you are a very lucky man.  If I lived near enough I would install your new breaker box for you, for no charge.  Make sure you get your new breaker box ASAP, what you have to loose, only God could replace.

 

 

PCRR/Dave

 

Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad
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