Davesellis
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- Dec 22, 2016
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How do I add a sub panel to service a tankless hot water heater?
My 200 amp panel box is full
- Thread starter Davesellis
- Start date
exranger06
Well-known member
Remove at least one double pole breaker from the main panel, or remove at least 2 single pole breakers from the main panel, and relocate them to the subpanel. Then install a new double pole breaker in the main panel in the same spot as the breaker(s) you just removed and feed the subpanel from there.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Or check your panel's sticker and see if it allows tandem breakers. Or depending on your panel type sometimes they have both the fat and thin breakers so you can swap out that way and gain extra space.
Otherwise you are SOL and will have to do as mentioned above to add a sub-panel.
Otherwise you are SOL and will have to do as mentioned above to add a sub-panel.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
What state, country or planet do you live in? Rules, regulations and methods can vary.
Before adding any loads (depending on its size, an electric tankless water heater can require a LOT of power) you need to make sure you have adequate electrical capacity first. Then you can look at possibly using tandem breakers, or possibly combining circuits to make space.
Before adding any loads (depending on its size, an electric tankless water heater can require a LOT of power) you need to make sure you have adequate electrical capacity first. Then you can look at possibly using tandem breakers, or possibly combining circuits to make space.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
What is the brand and model of the panel?
OP
Davesellis
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OP
Davesellis
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ard
Well-known member
The less communication the more responses???
Not a great plan.....
Not a great plan.....
rockwithjason
Well-known member
how big of a tankless water heater are we talking? most of the whole house units require multiple two pole breakers. do you have enough overhead in your panel for that kind of demand?
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
most I have seen need 3 of the 220 or double breakers, so 6 spaces.
You should seriously consider changing out that entire panel. Zinsco and Challenger have have a bad rep due to their not so good history.
How many circuit spaces do you currently have in the panel now?
If less than 40, you should be able to easily put a new 40 space panel in place of the old.
If what you have now is a 40 space, then I would change out the existing and add a sub at the same time.
rockwithjason
Well-known member
i bet we won't be seeing the op again.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
Zinsco and Challenger are NOT nearly the same thing. Challenger is basically a Murray clone. Nothing wrong with them.
vavet
Well-known member
Some folks complain about the electric tankless water heaters. The same might apply to gas units, not sure. The complaint is that you must have a significant flow to get hot water. The bathroom faucet on a low flow setting might not be enough to trigger it.
I have no personal experience, just repeating what I've heard and read.
I have no personal experience, just repeating what I've heard and read.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
ard
Well-known member
Huh??:
Yeah, sorry.. My wording was odd. I admit.
the OP seemed to have a plan to elicit responses that involved providing less and less detail as people asked for more info. Like where he is- no response; Brand and model of panel & breakers- 'challenger'...info on the heater- nothing...etc.
Even a 'guys, just starting to look into this- let me get some details and Ill circle back later' would have placed this on hold
Problem with many forums these days is people are seeing, joining and posting using phones, and really cannot appreciate the breadth of content or involvement from many sites. They ask one question, get lost, disappear.
Google Challenger and you will find some bad press. I changed one out 2 years ago that showed signs of overheating at the stabs.
I started with ArrowHart/Murray's and never had or know of a problem with them.
Dr Stan
Well-known member
Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp. was a successor to Zinsco Electrical Products, with GTE/ Sylvania Electrical Equipment Group being the company in between the two, there was 2 lines, the infamous Zinsco, and what was American Switch, which is what GTE was pushing when they sold, becoming Challenger, the Zinsco designed mains remained and continued to be used by Challenger and later Westinghouse, in the BR line after buying Challenger, which is why I call the BR line "Zinsco II" , besides there had to be a garbage line to replace Zinsco.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Challenger did have issues.
Scalemaster
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- Feb 2, 2016
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- 11
I agree with a previous post. Time to upgrade the panel. You are dealing with something that can burn your garage down. Spend the $ and do it right.