Wiring complete in the addition

Finished up the wiring in the addition. All looks good and load tested:

Attachment 160179

I know you fellas think this is way overboard for just an additional 950 sq. ft. I just feel better knowing it's right. The AC/furnace was delivered, and I like it:

Attachment 160180

Next weekend is the installation. I already ran the propane line and a dedicated circuit. We'll see as at goes. Also was considering converting one of my generators to propane/natural gas since hurricane season is coming up. Doesn't make sense (so far) in the conversion. It appears the folks doing the conversions are as ignorant as the home owners doing the conversions. Will investigate this further.

Really looking good Randy......won't be long now.......I see you have a spare conduit entrance to your Panel....smart thinking.....

Question.....How come the yellow wires are not in conduit ?

The yellow remain in the wall. The conduit circuits go outside underneath the floor.

Now I understand.....thanks Randy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tracker123

Also was considering converting one of my generators to propane/natural gas since hurricane season is coming up. Doesn't make sense (so far) in the conversion. It appears the folks doing the conversions are as ignorant as the home owners doing the conversions. Will investigate this further.

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Just for the record, this homeowner easily converted his portable generator to run on propane, natural gas or gasoline after some research. Works flawlessly and have seen only a small drop in wattage when going from gasoline to natural gas. Still powers all 6 circuits on my transfer switch with some wattage to spare. My objective from the beginning was to be able to run the generator during an extended outage and not have to drive all around town looking for open gas stations and sit in long lines. Here's my calculations:
NOTE: 1 "therm" = ~100,000 btu's. 1HP will consume ~ 10,000 btu's/hr of natural gas. So,
10 hp(100,000 btu's/hr) X 24 hrs = 2.4 million btu's
2.4 million btu's divided by 1 "therm" (100,000 btu's) = 24 "therms" per day.
In July, Aug & Sept of last year my natural gas cost was ~$1.65 per "therm". Therefore, if the generator consumes 24 "therms" per day at $1.65 per therm multiplied by say maybe 5 days, that cost would be ~$200. Last hurricane I was filling my generator up with ~10 gal of gasoline every 24 hrs. 1 gallon back during Hurricane Gustav I believe was around $3.50, maybe more. 10 gallons X $3.50/gal = $35 X 5 days = $175
While the natural gas fuel usage may work out to be a little more in dollars than the gasoline cost per gallon, the headaches are a lot less.
Extra natural gas utility cost during the next hurricane....$200. No more hunting for gasoline during that time....priceless!

Randy.....what size generator were you considering converting....

Ceegee....what size generator did you convert....

10 hp....5550 running watts, 8500 surge wattage

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ceegee

10 hp....5550 running watts, 8500 surge wattage

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Thanks ceegee......Randy, sorry for hijacking your thread.....

I have two 10KW generators. One works fine in energizing the entire house. The second one I bought is a backup to the first. A few years ago had a hard time starting the one. Ann says we needed a backup, so there it is. No transfer switch involved, a system of diodes takes care of everything. Wasn't going to let a jack leg sell me something when I knew better.

Interesting about the "therm", haven't head that before considering I make my living in the energy business. I am going to inquire about that with my colleague in the morning. As far as hunting for fuel during hurricanes, I live in the country, don't tote the gallon gas containers back and forth from my subdivision. Have bulk tank.

Sounds like we may have some generator experts in this thread... I am going to put one in here in the next year or so, would love to be able to do it myself with a little bit of guidance... Tracker... Ceegee can i hit you guys up once the time is right?

I'm no expert by any stretch. My generator is a portable one so it's just a matter of plugging it in for me. Tracker sounds like he has a more permanent fixture that runs his whole house. Sounds like that's what you're trying to do, correct? If so, he'll probably be your expert.

Ceegee didn't mean to hack you off in the earlier post. I have had to deal with some contractors when building my addition to the house, all types. Luckily I am doing a great deal of work myself - electrical, plumbing, etc. Some of these folks come out and treat me like I am ignorant in what they're doing or selling. And I can't believe what some pass off to folks that don't know any better. I mean some simple things as joist spacing, etc. Electricians now a days are totally reckless and ridiculous even though they follow the NEC guidelines.

In dealing with a propane conversion to one of my generators, I am getting the same response so far. The local guys I trust can't do it because a special license is required, thus only certain folks can do it - and they know it. Process of narrowing down the efficiency of low pressure supply to high pressure supply (LPG). I'll probably end up doing it my self as usual. Oh well. Again, didn't mean to stir you up :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prowler

Sounds like we may have some generator experts in this thread... I am going to put one in here in the next year or so, would love to be able to do it myself with a little bit of guidance... Tracker... Ceegee can i hit you guys up once the time is right?

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No problem my friend. Will need a load calculation of your house and a picture of your breaker box. Hopefully you don't have an electric hot water heater, prices escalate with the amps those things draw. All said and done, I've told folks that do this to consider replacing the hot water at the same time.

All I can say is you fellers are way over my head...

Went ahead and took the day off work today. Contractors to install the AC/furnace unit duct work that I bought for the new addition. All four of them. I had already run the propane line and 30 amp circuit for it. Ann said she wanted me home to deal with them. So I did. I live on a large hill, what they call the Teche Ridge - so all ductwork is under the addition. Back and forth we went with these guys. The head dude says that the boss says this, I say no, it's going to be this way, etc. Can't believe after all day, it's not done yet - oh well. I'm pooped, calling it good.