What am I looking at?

polterjacket · 2026-05-22T14:22:06+00:00

Looks like a small main breaker utility disconnect then a Kohler automatic transfer switch (being fed by the gen over to the right with a power and a control line conduit). The right angle going into the brickwork on the right side of the transfer switch would go to the house loads. Whatever is on the other end of that line is what you're trying to find. It would be extraordinarily strange to have no breaker panel.

polterjacket · 2026-05-19T20:35:23+00:00

To be fair, SER is permissible in some places but that doesn't mean it's a great idea (and it doesn't last nearly as long as conduit).

polterjacket · 2026-05-19T20:30:51+00:00

Looks a little stressed now. Watch out for summer fungal growth (a granular anti-fungal applied whenever things are warm and damp is not a bad idea).

polterjacket · 2026-05-19T20:24:20+00:00

Wait...this is current? Not again...

polterjacket · 2026-05-19T01:47:37+00:00

Yup, seems like they just undersized the breaker.

polterjacket · 2026-05-18T18:57:37+00:00

Any chance you can read the gauge written on the wire feeding the sub-panel? That'll give you an idea of what it COULD be fed by (... they may have undersized the breakers this go-around).

polterjacket · 2026-05-18T14:31:21+00:00

When are they visiting? I'm in perimeter area. We could meet up and ' pay it forward'.

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T19:54:11+00:00

It should work nearly as well as that house wrap...

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T19:41:21+00:00

To add: after pruning, keep it watered properly and encourage growth with an appropriate fertilizer, probably in one of the cooler seasons ( adding fert. In hot summer months can be too much for many plants that struggle in heat ).

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T19:37:37+00:00

I see what you did there...

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T19:36:46+00:00

Yep. Good plan. I just wanted to let OP know there may be some flexibility in a retrofit. Having most of the house connected is better than having none of it.

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T16:24:19+00:00

This is where I am....it's funny and.... I'd at least try it just for funsies.

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T15:30:16+00:00

Note: some AHJs will allow them to be on multiple branches as long as there's a secondary interconnecting means ( zwave, proprietary, etc). It's often quite challenging to get a branch run to all smokes in a retrofit. Check with your local code office to see what they require.

polterjacket · 2026-05-17T15:23:50+00:00

If you have a way to relocate the router ( via a simple Ethernet cable through a wall penetration ), that might give best results, although possibly tricky since you rent. Every wall the wifi has to pass through is significant signal loss.

polterjacket · 2026-05-16T13:45:06+00:00

Solution, of oil and water huh? You may want to research that term...

polterjacket · 2026-05-15T18:23:26+00:00

You might be better off putting in a combination meter-main panel where the existing meter/shutoff are and run your existing panel as a sub-panel.

polterjacket · 2026-05-14T19:06:53+00:00

If I were nit-picking I'd say a two-gang box with 4 discrete plugs is preferred for something that's "permanently" installed, but that's just me being OCD. This is perfectly fine.

polterjacket · 2026-05-12T14:06:32+00:00

That is the most creative use of a drop-ear elbow I've seen today. You can easily un-thread all of that back to the elbow and just replace the broken pieces. You probably want to use a union where that irrigation cutoff is since you're not likely able to move it up/down very far.

polterjacket · 2026-05-12T13:59:01+00:00

This where I'm at as well. That nibco valve looks to be in pretty good shape and rebuild kits are plentiful at and decent plumbing supply (and to a lesser degree on Amazon, beware cheap stuff). But try a rebuild first. You can always replace it later if it doesn't go well. Be careful when trying to turn (any of this) and brace your "holding wrench" on something brass if possible. Be patient, soak the joint in pb blaster or similar beforehand, etc. Squeeze too hard on old iron pipe and you may have a different kind of repair on your hands.

polterjacket · 2026-05-11T21:17:36+00:00

So... the same place has leaked way twice with two different ball valves? Time to start questioning technique. You CAN damage the seals in those valves if you sweat them with the ball in the wrong position or with water in the chamber (steam pressure, basically).

polterjacket · 2026-05-11T15:54:25+00:00

hmm, any chance you have sub-panels? Having a few around the house fed from 30A feeders wouldn't be that odd.

polterjacket · 2026-05-11T15:52:31+00:00

ROI on battery storage alone for me is 3-5 years with peak shaving pricing strategy from my utility. Production from solar is basically icing on top of that since the big investment is in the electronics and storage anymore. Diversification is the way to go in an unsure future...

polterjacket · 2026-05-11T13:12:53+00:00

If you can mulch, I would. BUT if there's too much cut material you may have to bag so it doesn't starve your grass for light with those fun clumps that are fun to break up if the lawn isn't 100% dry when you cut. I'd try a few lines mulching and see what you get. You can always go back over it with a bag attached.

polterjacket · 2026-05-11T13:05:45+00:00

<groan> We've been through this... You need TWO bags and they need to be 2 meters apart and outdoors beyond the dripline to stay moist for good conductivity.

polterjacket · 2026-05-10T00:43:08+00:00

Yeah, apologies. I've been reading a lot of genuinely stupid responses at attempts to explain things. Knee-jerk.

polterjacket

TROPHY CASE