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02-13-2020, 01:26 PM | #1 |
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Electrical Question
Ok so not sure where else to ask but you guys are always doing home renovations and what not so one of you probably know.
Backstory: So when I bought my house it has a big hottub in the screened in patio. That huttub ran on 220v. There is a 50 amp breaker in the main fuse box for the hottub, however there is also another box in the patio with another 50 amp breaker (which I believe is GFCI) and some big pull out fuse or something before the outside box that kills power to that. Ok so at some point we removed the hottub from the patio and put it outside in the yard. Ran the cable from the patio box underground to the area where the hottub is now. Anyways we now go rid of that tub and I have a ghetto inflatable one which runs on 110v. I would like to convert that 220v to a 110v outlet. Here is my understanding of what I have to do. Replace the 50 amp breaker with a smaller breaker 15-20amp and I believe I only use 3 of the 4 wires to bring it down to 110v. Some things I'm unsure of are. - Do I need to replace the breaker in both the patio and main panels or just patio? - I would like the option of going back to 220v if needed in the future so do I just cap off the extra cable? - Would the new breaker need to be GFCI or just the new 110 outlet I install. Anyways I've done basic electrical stuff like replacing outlets, installing fans etc. However it's mainly just replacing stuff so its much easier when I'm just matching the old stuff to the new. |
02-13-2020, 02:12 PM | #2 | |
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You can install a 110v breaker in your main panel, and put a gfci receptacle in your existing outside box. Or you can put 110v breakers in both the main panel and the exterior box and install a new outlet. Another thing that you should do is figure out your load and distance and make sure your current wiring is adequate. Are you getting it inspected? or just doing it? you can just cap the wire at both ends if the latter.
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02-13-2020, 02:13 PM | #3 |
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sounds like a perfect scenario for electrocution
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02-13-2020, 02:19 PM | #4 |
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also this.
just get a pro to come do it. if youre asking these types of questions on a car forum, youre already fucked.
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02-13-2020, 02:25 PM | #5 | |
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1. Wont quote me a price want me to pay a service call fee for them to come look at it and then tell me how much. 2. Don't want to do it because I ran the line outside myself and I guess they don't want the liability or what not. 3. Sound like they know less than me What will probably end up happening is I never install shit and just keep running an extension cord from my existing 110 outlet. |
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02-13-2020, 02:27 PM | #6 | |
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2. legally they would have to remove and reinstall that line 3. doubtful
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02-13-2020, 04:07 PM | #7 |
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Yeah not something you want to do yourself if you have those questions.....
But anyway, 1. You need to replace breaker at panel and get rid off the disconnect outside and install proper outside fitting and a box that supposed to take 110v outlet (and need bubble cover). 2. Yes, just cap it. 3. I would install GFCI breaker at panel and regular outlet outside. You also need to reduce the wire size ends, I doubt you can get 50amp wire properly secure at outlet and at the breaker. The cable that you ran underground also need to be made for underground, you cant just run any cable. |
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02-13-2020, 04:18 PM | #8 | |
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02-13-2020, 04:20 PM | #9 | |
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02-13-2020, 04:21 PM | #10 |
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Call electricians until you get a few that are willing to bid the job and decide from there. Don't mess with jack-legged electrical set-ups. ESPECIALLY around hot tubs. WTF am I reading here?!?!!
Safety first!!
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02-13-2020, 04:23 PM | #11 |
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I don't remember what cables we used, I think we matched what was there before, some pretty thick stuff. When it comes out of the ground we used some flexible conduit, but for the under ground run I do recall we used a hard conduit of some kind.
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02-13-2020, 04:30 PM | #12 |
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02-13-2020, 05:31 PM | #14 | |
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The only other people I know of that charge by the hour and have no idea how long it's going to take are hookers. Anyways I did find one company that said they would come take a look and did not charge a service fee for it. So we'll see what they say, if it's like under $300 I would do it, more than that... I dunno... I'll hide the extension cord behind some plants or something. |
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02-13-2020, 05:40 PM | #15 |
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I'm an Electrical Engineer so just that you know I'm not guessing here, but my advice is what I tell anyone else who has come to me with these types of questions.
Have someone who is licensed and insured do the work. If something goes wrong, improper wire size for the current load, wrong breaker, wrong direct burial cable, etc.....and something such as a fire breaks out....your homeowners insurance will hang you out to dry as they will investigate every possible scenario. They can be as picky as distinguishing between a "grounding" conductor and a "grounded" conductor. It's a simple thing you are wanting to do and the general gist of it is laid out by other posters here, but doing it yourself is a liability once you open the circuit panel. Maybe not what you want to hear, but someone licensed so you are covered can easily do this so it won't be that expensive.
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02-13-2020, 08:57 PM | #16 |
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If you are in PB County I have used a good electrician I can refer. Just PM me. He’s on his own, not a big outfit, so I’m not sure how far he would travel. (We are in Wellington and he is in this area.)
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02-14-2020, 07:35 AM | #17 | |
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if something was done incorrect, correct it right away. one less thing to worry about if something goes wrong. Alot of people do DIY, but its wrong, not up to code and its becomes $$ and dangerous. |
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02-14-2020, 10:04 AM | #18 |
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This new hot tub is for your future deceased wife? IS the insurance paid up, and are you the single beneficiary?
I wouldn't even hire my IBEW son to do this, I'd get a 3rd party that has insurance. My son wired in the doorbell, and it still rings funny SOMETIMES. |
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02-14-2020, 10:59 AM | #20 | |
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I believe my mother in law loves hottubs.... |
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02-14-2020, 01:05 PM | #21 | ||
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02-14-2020, 01:27 PM | #22 |
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You are a better man that I am ...I just don't mess with electricity--other than changing a light bulb.
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