Recent content by SaabGuy

So- an update after using my space for the last 2.5 years... I've managed to fill it with ****! I am working out of this space full time since last September. I am at a point now where I really need to organize the shop floor space, as I am adding another 2 post lift ASAP. I have some crappy...

My girlfriend was the one who decided we HAD to have a cupola... It's a 48"x48" base, Newport model. All Azek-with the exception of the "roof" which is copper clad. The weathervane and cupola all came from here: http://weathervaneandcupola.com/cupolas.html I had questions- so I called and...

Another barn/shop/garage in MA- Looking really good. Like the stone and the siding!

IMG_1938 by SaabFixer, on Flickr Picture taken from 3rd floor of house-facing due south... Glad to have the Saab Barn today.... No Saabs out in the snow! Getting around 3 feet of snow! The drifts are incredible already up to my waist- the little pit bull dog is NOT happy with this snow depth-...

Hey Wade, The panels feed into the panel in the barn, and then the house panel and then the meter...So the power generated is used as needed by me-in the house or barn. When I produce more Kwatts than I am currently using the surplus wattage goes back to the grid reducing my KWatt usage and is...

Power on! Only took 3 weeks for the 2 inspections-town and then utility- National Grid showed up Monday to complete a work order from September 2103! BUT- then showed up yesterday to swap the meter to a new digital unit which can run backwards. Solar is switched on and producing lower cost...

Solar power added to Shop! [/url] [/url] [/url] [/url]conduit Used Solar City- very good experience so far. Didn't want the conduit to be routed as it is, but ended up being the best alternative. I just had the town inspection yesterday, so now I can paint the conduit. Hopefully it...

Jeremy v- I owe you a beer or many!

Thank you very much for your help! I was thinking the same thing in terms of ease of install vs. safe and proper. This looks like the way I'll go, cheap AND safe. Yes- 10G 4 wire 30A individual circuits - hard wired to the heaters. As a side note- the same highly paid electrician I paid my...

So using this guy:http://www.homedepot.com/p/Packard-208-240-Volt-Coil-Voltage-F-L-Amps-30-Poles-2-Res-Amps-40-Definite-Purpose-Contactor-C230C/203565713?N=5yc1vZc4nlZbae And using the current t-stats will work?

Thank you- very good advice! I did search for higher amperage 240V line voltage thermostats-but came up with 22A being the highest available? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? I will test it in the way you advise, and expect it is closer to 26A than 20A, It would make me sleep more soundly...

Nope- not an option- need all the heat I can get.

Yes, that's what I thought- maybe the fan is the additional 6 A- seems high for a fan though. I agree that -either way it's too close to the MAX rating to make me happy. Ok- what type of meter? Can I use an inductive style on my Fluke? Is that accurate enough?

I noticed before it failed that the heater on the failed t-stat was cycling a lot more than the heater at the far end of the shop- this was unusual. I suspect it failed as you say and finally melted. I need more information on a way to use a low voltage t-stat... I am a car guy- DCV guy. You...

I installed 2 Farenheat 5000 Watt electric heaters in my garage last September... Actually - I paid a professional to wire the shop, I bought the heaters, supplied him with the spec.s, and he chose the thermostats involved. So the heaters ran all winter, keeping the shop above freezing- usually...