Recommendations for replacement outdoor main panel

[Parke]

The situation:

My parents house is under contract. One of the inspection followup requests was to install GFCI outlets in wet spots - e.g. a couple of bathrooms and by the washing machine. I'm the trustee and power of attorney, so it's my responsibility. Two of the outlets I can replumb with outlets myself no problem.

The third outlet, and I suspect the kitchen outlets, is on a multibranch circuit (12/3 AWG) and therefore a GFCI outlet won't work. A two pole GFCI breaker would work, but the rub is the panel is a 1971 Zinsco. No new circuit breakers are available and old, recycled (used) single pole 15 amp GFCIs go for upwards of $125 on online bidding styled websites. It would be cheaper and more logical to have a new main panel installed with brand new breakers, I think. Two pole GFCI breakers are not cheap, though, in my limited experience. I could probably do this myself in a week, given time to research everything, except for the fact that the house now has solar hard wired which produces excess juice that feeds back to the utility co. The warning signs on the panel cover are quite intimidating. That and there is no time to get this done (closing on August 29). This is pro time.

The current outdoor panel looks similar to this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D...door-Main-Breaker-CSED-RC2040M200CH/100176273

There are two or three 40 amp breakers, a 30 amp, a whole bunch of 20 amp breakers (radiant ceiling heated house) and some 15's and 20's for plugs and lights. I'm not at the house right now, so I don't have an accurate count.

Recommend a replacement panel for me, and given the house location is Fullerton, California (southern Cal), any ballpark ideas of what a good electrician would charge for the whole shebang?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

 

[alfredeneuman]

You don't need to change the panel.
If you can do the bathroom outlets yourself, you can do the kitchen ones.

The process is exactly the same. You will need to put any incoming wires on the "Line" terminals, and install them in every receptacle location.
BE SURE TO TURN BOTH CIRCUITS OFF AND TEST THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OFF.

The actual receptacles are connected the same, multiwire circuit or not.

(I've never heard of replumbing an outlet)

Edit:
I realize that I've just lost some work by telling you this

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The fact you have a Zinsco is enough for me to push the idea of replacing it. Many problems with Zinsco panels. If this is your main service panel, you will need permits, inspection and all. I have seen many times when a Zinsco breker wouldnt trip when it should have. also, the breakers like to fuse to the buss bars.

 

[walrus]

Since when will a gfci outlet not work on mwbc?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Since when will a gfci outlet not work on mwbc?

Exactly. Split the neutral in the first j box and feed it to 2 GFCIs. Any imbalanced neutral current is on the line side of the GFCIs so there will be no nuisance tripping.

 

[larry_g]

Being that your in NJ I assume, and this is a 'request' I would recommend that you offer up $500 reduction in price and they get it done on their own. I'm thinking that you do not have to bring a home up to current standards to sell it, but the money may get the sale done and then the buyer can do all the upgrades they want.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Diesel_D]

Being that your in NJ I assume, and this is a 'request' I would recommend that you offer up $500 reduction in price and they get it done on their own. I'm thinking that you do not have to bring a home up to current standards to sell it, but the money may get the sale done and then the buyer can do all the upgrades they want.

lg
no neat sig line

Unless it's an FHA loan

 

[Norcal]

Because the house is being sold, I would use GFCI receptacles in place of the standard receptacles on the multi-wire circuits, might have to buy more then a few GFCI receptacles but they are lot cheaper then a service change. I hate Zinsco loadcenters but let someone else deal w/ it as it too hard to deal w/ stuff long distance.

 

[Mustang51js]

I sent you a pm, I live in the next town over from you and can help you if you need it.

 

[Parke]

"Exactly. Split the neutral in the first j box and feed it to 2 GFCIs. Any imbalanced neutral current is on the line side of the GFCIs so there will be no nuisance tripping."

I was not aware of that work around. I'll file it for future reference. But for now, I don't want to be opening walls in the kitchen, or really anywhere else for that matter. Just mapping the circuit sounds like quite a little undertaking.

I am currently in SoCal through August 27, but there is an estate sale going on at the house today and tomorrow, which I am avoiding being around like the plague. The house closes August 29, a week from now, so I am looking at git 'er done quick solutions. (The down side of cash buyers is a really short escrow period.) Unfortunately, the simple sounding list of fixes requested by the buyers didn't sound too difficult... when I was in New Jersey. But then, nothing is ever as easy as it sounds I guess.

At this point, the best sounding option is to put some money towards an electrician coming in and splitting the neutral as suggested, at a future date. I'll probably have to add for some drywall repair but I already have a great contact for that.

Time to go check my pm.

Thanks all.

 

[Mustang51js]

Your not splitting the nuetral in the outlet box. You would be jumping off the neutral with a tail. Easiest thing for you to do is install a gfi in all the outlets on countertop and put them all on the line side

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Id tell them its existing,was code when installed.You can open a big can of worms really fast.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Your not splitting the nuetral in the outlet box. You would be jumping off the neutral with a tail. Easiest thing for you to do is install a gfi in all the outlets on countertop and put them all on the line side

Thats essentially the same thing. Taking one neutral wire and adding 2 pigtails to it means the neutral is now split into 2 wires.