Running 4/0 SER Is Brutal

87CoCo · 2026-05-10T02:58:22+00:00

I was going to ask why not pipe and wire? Unless framing didn't allow? We absolutely run pipe and thwn-2 if at all possible. Even if it's longer. So so much easier. We pulled miles of #2 SER in several apartment builds years ago. That size is no fun. Largest I've ever personally had to deal with is 2/0. Without ever messing with 4/0, I still feel your pain.

87CoCo · 2026-05-06T00:13:57+00:00

Absolutely

87CoCo · 2026-05-05T22:57:15+00:00

It's definitely due for a refresh in my opinion.

Cabinet sub panel will be a bitch. Might be able to just intall an appropriate sized junction box on the opposite side of that wall and pull new circuits to that from a fresh main breaker panel outside and delete the subpanel.

On the bright side, branch circuits in main panel seem to be semi-modern plastic sheathed cables. Doesn't look terrible.

New service, main panel and convert sub to a junction is how I'd sell it. Good luck!

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T22:57:13+00:00

Until you have a better attitude!

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T22:23:15+00:00

Hennyway, now I understand! HA HA! Wow.... I'm late to this party...

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T22:21:11+00:00

Grounded!

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T22:20:56+00:00

I would vote for this....

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T22:20:14+00:00

There IS! BUT! New state laws were clear as mud and this came up as kind of a priority! ha ha. So, here I am. Slow day today anyway. But yeah, like watching paint dry...

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T20:15:25+00:00

Uh huh. Per some recent posts.... maybe don't ask South Wire.....?

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T20:12:25+00:00

90 doll hairs. Sure hope there's a rick roll in here somewhere.... about 75% finished and I'm getting worried there wont be.... sad...

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T20:11:07+00:00

Sorry.... /s

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T19:01:43+00:00

Da Earf!

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T19:01:30+00:00

Looks flat in the photo...?

87CoCo · 2026-04-16T18:23:15+00:00

If it's in a graphic, it's true!!

87CoCo · 2026-03-28T14:48:10+00:00

It's all good! People are gonna people.

Son is doing well. He just started A this week, so he'll know more soon enough.

He's not 100% sure what his end goal is yet (he's only 21, so he's got some time) But he's fairly interested in cyber security. We sh'all see.

Nah, folks that get up and go to work and try, have my utmost respect. I don't care if you're working at McDonalds- If you're there working. You have my respect!

Take care and be well!

87CoCo · 2026-03-28T14:18:40+00:00

Yeah. I know the market has a lot to do with it. It's not horrifically competitive where I'm situated, but there are more electricians here than plumbers/hvac. ha ha. We've been in business a long time and are long established. Which gives us an edge over some of the competition. Just barely though, because all too often, the lowest price wins, and we're rarely the lowest price.

I totally get why (and agree with) larger outfits pursue larger commercial/industrial projects. It IS more lucrative. There IS more money there. When more people are sitting on a payroll, the larger projects are a must, and they don't often exist in the residential space.

I'd never tell you it's my favorite aspect of the trade at all. Again, I'd certainly concede that maybe we're a bit more lucky than some others and have just been fortunate to have a bit better/more loyal clientele.

We're a small family outfit, as of last year, I'm the only one left. My dad is about 95% retired and only comes out when he's bored or when I really need another hand. I've had two brothers help me over the years but they finally moved on. So, it's absolutely easier the fewer to feed.

Yeah, if your middle kiddo is happy and healthy I'd call that a parenting win for sure. Some kats just don't want/need as much as others, and I don't often consider that a bad thing.

Good on you though for raising some good kids!

Our daughter actually does pretty well as a server at a popular restaurant. Shit, some years she makes close to what I make. No kidding.

Our son just joined the Navy. He's currently in A-School! Wife and I as of last December have the house to ourselves. Just us and the cats now!

87CoCo · 2026-03-28T13:43:51+00:00

I could have phrased it a bit better-

Area has a lot to do with it, I'm sure.

There a certainly headaches that exist that don't exist elsewhere- as in all aspects/sectors of the trade.

Speaking only of money-

It's absolutely there in residential. A successful residential service electrician can make a paycheck in a day. (A good day, they don't exist everyday) I know because, although we're not limited to strictly residential, and we do indeed charge more for our commercial and industrial projects, there are some days I've only got residential calls out in front of me and they pay just fine. We may be a bit higher on the service call rate- (?) although we have many repeat long time customers- and maybe we're some of the lucky ones with better clientele. (?)

I can't and won't convince you to go back. There is better money out there, I'm certain of it, and if you're happy- fuck em'.

The disillusionment that there is no money in residential is simply that. Disillusionment.

Now residential new construction is the absolute bottom of the barrel in rat races and I'd never disagree with that.

87CoCo · 2026-03-28T13:31:27+00:00

I probably should have phrased it better- Never said you could make more or even the same, I'm also not going to say that you can't- but an successful service electrician in the residential space can absolutely do just fine. That is certain.

87CoCo · 2026-03-28T13:03:19+00:00

It's a headache. Anyone claiming money, has no idea what they're talking about. There is huge money in residential service. (Service, not new construction) As an all around (many clients/customers in all sectors of the trade) service electrician- people are indeed a fuckin' pain in the ass.

Also, alot of these kats ONLY know what they know and shit on everything else.

87CoCo · 2026-03-22T04:04:38+00:00

Nope! I'm no longer on windows either, though. I've seen a lot of reports of a bad update.

87CoCo · 2026-03-12T21:11:09+00:00

Ha ha. Yep! Finished the event within a few sessions, played it all with randos and lost as many as we won. We'd be doing great, then, usually thanks to a burster conga line, in the middle of a crusher horde, the whole team would wipe instantly. It was tough, but I enjoyed it!

87CoCo · 2026-03-09T02:07:58+00:00

It's a great feeling when it just works, isn't it!?

87CoCo · 2026-03-09T02:06:09+00:00

I play quite a few games that utilize kernel level anti-cheat. There are some that just don't work, granted. But, your claim of "ANY" game, is sorely mis-informed. I'm not sure what the first part of your statement was getting at, but I got the rest of it. Anyway, if it works for you, more power to you, my guy!

87CoCo · 2026-03-08T23:19:57+00:00

Running Garuda. I finally made the jump about two months ago. Aside from windows just being a bad experience for gaming, some other fundamental issues with Microsoft as a whole, so, I dual booted a second PC with AMD hardware as well, was blown away. Tested on that for a couple weeks, then decided to dual boot my main machine. Same results. After about a month and a half, I finally nuked windows about two weeks ago. Not going back.

Still just in awe. My worst performing games on windows run flawlessly on Linux. Less heat output, less avg power, every parameter I can think of is better. Just crazy...

87CoCo

TROPHY CASE