Have electric in a detached garage - need help making it right.

[KnuckleBuster]

I recently bought a house with a 2 and a half car detached garage. I got a REALLY good deal on the place for reasons like the one I am about to describe.

I'll start by saying the previous owner must have been very good friends with an electrician; there's enough wire in the garage alone to wire up the Empire State building.

What I've got, starting at the meter, is the following (meter at front corner of house):
Old-looking, fabric insulated wire running the length of the house to the back corner.
At the corner, it enters a 200 Amp fuse box disconnect (I don't know if I'm calling it the right thing. There's one large fuse holder which holds two large fuses - 100 Amps each. Pull it out and it disconnects power to the house/garage).
On the Load side of these fuses, there's one line running to the house box (which is another story all together) and what appears to be 8AWG wire running to the box in the garage.
In the garage, there is a box with 3 double pole breakers and 4 single pole breakers. I believe they are all 20Amp, but I'll have to double check.

So, how do I go about making this right? I want to run a welder, a compressor, numerous tools, perhaps a window A/C.

If I need to supply more info, I can do that.

Thanks.

 

[sands35]

If you want a welder, you are going to need at least a 90 or 100 amp panel. I would make some calls around and see if you can get a second drop from the pole into the garage, that would give you a clean 100 or 200 amp service. If not, then you will want to probably start fresh with a 90 or 100 amp sub-panel feed to the garage.

 

[KnuckleBuster]

My very first thought was a new drop from the pole, but I think I'm going to need another pole somewhere in my yard. I'm not totally opposed to that, but if it can be avoided, so much the better. I've got a Miller Dynasty inverter TIG, so it can use pretty much any voltage/amperage I throw at it, but I'd like to keep all my options open.

 

[Gary S]

I agree with the previous posts. You need to start over with new. That #8 wire will always leave you short of what you want to do. That work doesn't sound like anything done by an electrician. Are you sure the guy didn't repair shoes for a living. It sounds like something done by a cobbler more than an electrician.
Like already said. Either a new drop, or a new heavier line from the meter. Run wire large enough to handle 100 amps, get a new 100 amp panel with breakers to do what you need and connect the existing garage circuits to the new box.

 

[pattenp]

It sounds like you only have 100A service to the house and garage if there are two 100A cartridge fuses in the main disconnect. That's a 100A fuse per leg so you don't add them together to figure you have 200A service. You may be able to just up the wire size to the garage to get more power. If you have an overall lack of power to the house and garage then a new 200A service may be needed. Some pics would help of all the panels and fuse boxes.






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[theoldwizard1]

What I've got, starting at the meter, is the following (meter at front corner of house):
Old-looking, fabric insulated wire running the length of the house to the back corner. At the corner, it enters a 200 Amp fuse box disconnect (I don't know if I'm calling it the right thing. There's one large fuse holder which holds two large fuses - 100 Amps each. Pull it out and it disconnects power to the house/garage).

That is considered 100A service (100A @ 240V)

This is the first thing that needs to be updated.

Unfortunately, on a project like this, it is difficult to do it in small step.

On the Load side of these fuses, there's one line running to the house box (which is another story all together)

I think the first thing I would do is remove the disconnect and run new cable from the meter to a new 200A house circuit breaker panel with plenty of breaker slots. Reserve 2 of those slot for new wire to the garage. Also check with the power company and make certain they can supply 200A through their existing wire and meter.

You really need to get these items in order before tackling the garage.

 

[KnuckleBuster]

I'll post pictures, just promise not to laugh. The previous owner was... creative. He enjoyed building fine furniture out of pressure treated lumber and only owned one router bit. If nails would suffice, he added twice as many screws. Sometimes, a little adhesive made it even better.

Like I said, I got a great deal on the place, but the amount I need to fix seems daunting at times.

I researched the GE meter and it appears to be a 200A meter.

I hate to do it, because I am a cheap S.O.B., but I suppose I'll call an electrician. Is there any reason why a 200A main breaker panel can't be located in an unfinished basement as far from the meter as physically possible? That's where the original fuse box was located when the house was built, before a newer panel was installed in a first floor bedroom.

You guys are going to love the photos; I promise.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Meters and the drop from the pole to the house are usually the power companies problem. They may require you to install a new mast and meter housing (probably a good idea).

 

[pattenp]

If you put the main load center at the far end of the house from where the service entry conductors enter the house you will need to have a main service disconnect either inside or outside at a readily accessible location near the point where the service conductors enter the house.

 

[JBourquin]

Where in NY are you. I'm just south of Canajoharie. I just went through almost the exact same thing. I replaced a 60A Fuse Main with a 200A Breaker Main. Had to update the meter socket and service drop to match. The meter itself is National Greeds but the socket and service drop are your responsibility. My panel is also in my unfinished basement. It's supposed to be as close as possible to the point where the wire enters the house. As was previously stated, if it's not you will have to install a main service disconnect either inside or outside the point where the service enters the house. If you decide to do the work yourself you will have to have an Inspector sign off on the install before National Greed will schedule the switch over. I think the inspector cost me $100.

You can also call National Greed and tell them you want to update the service in your house and they will send out a planner free of charge to tell you everything you will need to update.

 

[pitterpat]

Pics?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

So the 100 amp fuses are protecting the #8 wire going to the garage? and also protecting a (hopefully) properly sized wire going to the house? Thats a fire waiting to happen.

Charles