I'm an electrical idiot

[ChrisKoz]

I need some advice. I am new to the whole home mechanic hobby but am having a blast. I started working on motorcycles and am now onto an F150. I bought a Husky compressor, nothing fancy, 3HP, 12 gallon, but I have to turn everything else off in the garage (lights, radio) when I run it or it blows the breaker. I'm looking at buying a MIG welding unit and am concerned about what that will do to the curcuits. What should I do about electric? What's the best way to go or am I just going to have to run accessories one at a time?
Thank You, I really am enjoying this forum.

 

[bmwpower]

Where is your breaker box?

I would run more circuits in the garage. You will want at least one 240v circuit.

 

[ChrisKoz]

breaker box is in the house basement, about 10 yards from garage.

 

[Jay H 237]

Since that compressor is 110v sounds like you could use a dedicated 20amp 110v line run to the garage for it.

I had to do that for my 110v Millermatic 135 MIG welder otherwise it wouldn't weld well and kept tripping the breaker in my garage. In hindsight I could have gotten a 240v welder since I wound up running a new line anyhow, which I tried to avoid, but the 135 still does fine with the light bodywork I do with it.

 

[ChrisKoz]

Is this something I should try to do myself or bring someone in to do it?

 

[brownbagg]

call a electrician

 

[thefairlaneman]

Is this something I should try to do myself or bring someone in to do it?

Electric circuits are simple ,even 220, but you only get one chance to get it right and dont have the option of learning from mistakes, always be 100% sure. I agree with BROWNBAG , call an electrician

 

[PAToyota]

Is this something I should try to do myself or bring someone in to do it?

Not trying to put you down, but if you have to ask it is best to get a pro. It is something that you can learn, but it is also an easy way to burn your house down if you don't understand things...

 

[ChrisKoz]

Thanks, that's good advice. I'll call someone and watch them.

 

[PAToyota]

If you are starting out, that is usually the best way to learn. As I said, a lot of it is pretty straightforward. The problem is when you are starting out you often don't know what you don't know... And not being aware of certain things is what gets you into trouble.

I've seen too many people read a book or ask questions and not realize that their situation is slightly different and would change the answers.

I've literally been involved in wiring and electrical work for almost forty years. And many times that experience is mainly good for knowing when I have to ask questions.

 

[bigdav160]

Sounds like you currently only have a 15 amp circuit to your garage. Probably only has 14 gauge wire so there's no way to upgrade that circuit. I pretty sure you can only have one line running to your garage.

That means you'll want a subpanel installed.

It's not hard to install. Regulations in your area might require a permit and a licensed electrician. Perhaps not.

How old is the house? Is the breaker box full? Sometimes it can be very expensive for the subpanel install because the house service has to be upgraded also.

 

[cc_rider]

'Dirty' Harry Callahan said it best: "Every man's got to know his limitations"

It's not what you KNOW, it's what you know you DON'T know. When in doubt, find a pro. You may be able to find someone who'll work with you, but generally speaking, tradesmen prefer to be left alone. Ever seen this sign?

- Repair Service - $20/hr.
- Letting you watch - $25/hr.
- Letting you help - $30/hr.
- You already tried to fix it - $40/hr.

You get the idea...

Sounds like you're definitely going to need a sub-panel. Make it at least a 125 amp service (about the smallest breaker panel box you can buy). It'll require running some bad-axe-mother-fletcher cables from your main box. Best way is to bury it underground. Since they're going to be burying cable anyway, when they run the big conduit, go ahead and run a separate 3/4" conduit alongside it. You can probably do that part yourself. Then you can run things like telephone, cable TV, alarm wires, etc. to your garage. It's better to have them in a separate conduit to reduce interference, and it may be required by code, I don't know. You can bury the conduit and leave a pull string (or two) inside it until you're ready to add wires.

There's lots of rules about adding sub-panels and underground wiring, so it's best to let the pros handle it. That said, they'll be HAPPY to let YOU dig the trench!

c.

 

[snorvet]

If you haven't done electrical before, hire an electrician. But also read a book on house wiring, and ask the electrician if you can watch him. Get a good knowledge before tackling anything electrical on your own

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What you don't know CAN hurt you. Its apparent you don't know electrical wiring, so stay away and watch a pro do it. It will be money well spend. Bad wiring jobs are what burn down houses, and get people killed or injured.

Charles

 

[thefairlaneman]

I recall my first lesson in home electrical stuff when my older brother who was only about 8 years old stuck a bobby pin in the wall outlet...Shezammmm he learned about lectrisscity too.