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Need outdoor electrical advice

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by LivinOnEdge, Apr 5, 2021.

  1. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:24 AM
    #1
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    I currently have a 50amp breaker that used to lead to a backyard spa that no longer exists. However the conduit is still protruding out of the ground with the wires (10g?) still capped and ready to be used again.

    What could I do or need to create a sub panel of some sort for outdoor resources like lighting or power tools?

    I am very handy and can tackle the basics of installation. Would like some guidance on the parts I would need or if there is any other suggestion of how to use that 50 amp breaker.

    Here's my diagram as well.


    Electric-01.jpg
     
  2. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:27 AM
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    PapiTacoma

    PapiTacoma Active Member

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    So you want a single phase 120v right? Like a regular outlet? How many wires are in the conduit? 4? You might have two hots. Also the 50amp is an over kill if you just want a simple outlet in the back
     
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  3. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:33 AM
    #3
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Yea, would like a regular 120v outlet, maybe two if I create a sub panel? The breakers for my main panel are hard to find if not expensive because it's on the older side. My thought process was "newer sub panel, cheap easy to get 20amp breakers."

    As for the wires, wife is getting a picture for me right now as I am not currently home, standby.
     
  4. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:35 AM
    #4
    Toyko Joe

    Toyko Joe Here for the pictures

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    7A71BF78-905E-4D28-94E9-5D6FC6E47323.jpg @LivinOnEdge

    install a rv sub panel that will give you some nice outdoor outlets for 240/120vac of variety of amperages.
     
  5. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:36 AM
    #5
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Heres what the conduit currently has.

    84B2EF55-74F7-4517-ABBE-B6AE38C1E740.jpg
     
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  6. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:38 AM
    #6
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Could you perhaps link to a box you suggest? Not sure what to look for when purchasing something like that.
     
  7. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:40 AM
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    Toyko Joe

    Toyko Joe Here for the pictures

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  8. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:41 AM
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    PapiTacoma

    PapiTacoma Active Member

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    That's two hots, neutral and a ground. I'm curious why they are sticking out that way. Unless that's what used to be the run for the jacuzzi or whatever it was. Use that white and one of the reds. You can daisy chain two outlets there no problem. And land the red wire into a single pole breaker.

    As far as the box goes you can make a run to home depot and buy the weather box you need. Two outlets and that's it. Just make sure you can adentify the red you want to use and that this white wire is on the ground bus bar.
     
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  9. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:42 AM
    #9
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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  10. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:50 AM
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    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Something like this?

    Electric-02-01.jpg
     
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  11. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:54 AM
    #11
    PapiTacoma

    PapiTacoma Active Member

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    Yeah that's pretty much it. It's very important that you make sure that white is landed in the bus bar and that you have the correct red wire. If you hook it up and you have no power then just swap it with the other red wire. Oh! Also! Make sure you have at least one Gfci. The one you are going to tap into from the line side first.
     
    piff and LivinOnEdge[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  12. Apr 5, 2021 at 10:55 AM
    #12
    LivinOnEdge

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    This is me definitely taking my home owner electrical knowledge to another level haha. Am I able to splice 14g wire onto the large gauge when feeding into new receptacles?
     
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  13. Apr 5, 2021 at 11:00 AM
    #13
    PapiTacoma

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    Feed it off the first outlet. Once you tap red to gold screw and white to silver screw you will have the other gold and silver open. Feed the second outlet off that.

    ALSO CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH BUT MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF. Even if you saw yourself turn off the breaker it's always important to very power at the other end even with just an AC Detector (pencil looking stick that blinks or makes sound when voktage is present)
     
  14. Apr 5, 2021 at 11:01 AM
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    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Thank you boss! Your assistance is invaluable.
     
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  15. Apr 5, 2021 at 12:11 PM
    #15
    BZ4X4

    BZ4X4 Well-Known Member

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    you can do a couple of things with what you have out there.
    Quick solution- if you only want one 120v 20amp circuit - buy a new single phase 20 amp breaker for the main panel and wire up a 20amp GFCI outlet and replace the cover on the bell box.
    If you want two 120v 20amp circuits to add a bell box to the backside of the existing bell box, buy two 20 amp breakers wire up two 20amp GFCI outlets with covers.
    To correctly install a subpanel it's going to take some time and money.
     
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  16. Apr 5, 2021 at 12:44 PM
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    PhenixFord

    PhenixFord Well-Known Member

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    Pleas DO NOT feed a 20 amp receptacle with a 50 amp breaker.
     
  17. Apr 5, 2021 at 1:10 PM
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    LivinOnEdge

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    Going to get a 50 amp sub panel with 2-20amp breakers.
     
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  18. Apr 5, 2021 at 1:12 PM
    #18
    PhenixFord

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    Is the 50 amp Spa Breaker a GFCI?

    If "yes" then this will not work.
     
  19. Apr 5, 2021 at 1:20 PM
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    BZ4X4

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    What are you going to use as a mounting point for the subpanel?
     
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  20. Apr 5, 2021 at 1:25 PM
    #20
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge [OP] ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Not sure yet, gotta go back and open up the main to find out. I honestly doubt it though.
     

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