My rant on electricians... and why America is going down the shitter...

[hbliam]

Who the hell is Mcfry, and why the make the beast with two backs would I be lumped in with him....?  I waaay more of an asshole than I let on, but I try and stay civil.  

Your a bit slow today. McFRY, like in electrocution. Bueller, Bueller?

I'm not upset that you wasted those poor guys time. I'll just add $500 to my next bid for having read this thread. 

[DanTheMan]

compound

noalox compound,

Aw so it has a name, we would just call it the paste or goo for aluminum wire. Why the hell would you use aluminum wire if your doing it new? Existing wires aluminum?

Code for us here we had to use the noalox.

[ducpainter]

Aw so it has a name, we would just call it the paste or goo for aluminum wire. Why the hell would you use aluminum wire if your doing it new? Existing wires aluminum?

Code for us here we had to use the noalox.

It's always up to the AHJ

[TAftonomos]

Aw so it has a name, we would just call it the paste or goo for aluminum wire. Why the hell would you use aluminum wire if your doing it new? Existing wires aluminum?

Code for us here we had to use the noalox.

Existing wires are aluminum, and unless I want to change out the current disconnect/panel to copper wire, I'm supposed to use the same stuff (so I'm told).  Might be wrong about that, but no point in doing the new one in copper and leave the old one there in al.  2/0 from the supply place is 1.98 a ft....No idea what copper would be, but I'd guess 5-6$ per foot?

Your a bit slow today. McFRY, like in electrocution. Bueller, Bueller?

There, I fixed it 

Being a dumbass is tough sometimes  

[lethe]

Silver and gold are better conductors. I mean if you're going to do it yourself, you might as well make it as good as you can. 

[1KDS]

you would only have to buy 1AWG copper not 2/O

[NAKID]

There you go again. Now their idiots? Apparently they make two weeks of your wages in 3 hours. Who's the idiot?   

Only if they manage to get someone to pay those prices...

[DanTheMan]

Existing wires are aluminum, and unless I want to change out the current disconnect/panel to copper wire, I'm supposed to use the same stuff (so I'm told).  Might be wrong about that, but no point in doing the new one in copper and leave the old one there in al.  2/0 from the supply place is 1.98 a ft....No idea what copper would be, but I'd guess 5-6$ per foot?

Copper only for us out here.

[ducatiz]

Existing wires are aluminum, and unless I want to change out the current disconnect/panel to copper wire, I'm supposed to use the same stuff (so I'm told).  Might be wrong about that, but no point in doing the new one in copper and leave the old one there in al.  2/0 from the supply place is 1.98 a ft....No idea what copper would be, but I'd guess 5-6$ per foot?

you can use copper in an alu house, you just have to make sure they don't touch.  if you have a location where the copper comes to a joint, you have to use a juncture box that has clampdowns. 

the issue is that aluminum doesn't flex well and can crack, which leads to increased resistance at a bend which means heat and fire risk.

if you are pulling wire, try to run new, don't pull the old alu out unless you do ALL of it.  alu wire runs can pull on other wires and cause the problems.

you can have alu and copper coming into the same main breaker box though. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

you can use copper in an alu house, you just have to make sure they don't touch.  if you have a location where the copper comes to a joint, you have to use a juncture box that has clampdowns. 

the issue is that aluminum doesn't flex well and can crack, which leads to increased resistance at a bend which means heat and fire risk.

if you are pulling wire, try to run new, don't pull the old alu out unless you do ALL of it.  alu wire runs can pull on other wires and cause the problems.

you can have alu and copper coming into the same main breaker box though. 

I bet an electrician would know that. 

[ducatiz]

I bet an electrician would know that. 

i know it and i'm not an electrician by any means.

FYI many places will NOT issue a certificate of inspection if you don't use a licensed electrician.

I rewired an apartment I bought in NYC and then found that out after the fact.  I was pissed.  Everything was done to code.  I paid an electrician to sign off after he spent 2 hours looking at it, cost me dearly.  Assholes.

[Punx Clever]

You know what I make the beast with two backsing hate?  How much the local Duc shop charges for a service.  I can adjust the chain, change the oil, check things over (given the proper shop manual) and save a shit ton of money.  I don't think shop time should be in the 80 dollar an hour range.  So I did.  And it worked great.  Many others on the board are told every day that this can be done, that it should be done.  That anyone can do it!

TA hates how much he was quoted for electrical work.  He can set up a line to his house on his own and save a bunch of money.  He doesn't think the job is worth 400 dollars an hour.  So he's talking about doing it himself.  Only roadblock is getting the inspector to OK it.

Why is it that when we are talking about moto work its ok the get mad at the cost of having a trained professional do it, but when he talks about electricity, this huge union mindset comes out and berates him.  make the beast with two backs that.

[ducpainter]

You know what I make the beast with two backsing hate?  How much the local Duc shop charges for a service.  I can adjust the chain, change the oil, check things over (given the proper shop manual) and save a shit ton of money.  I don't think shop time should be in the 80 dollar an hour range.  So I did.  And it worked great.  Many others on the board are told every day that this can be done, that it should be done.  That anyone can do it!

TA hates how much he was quoted for electrical work.  He can set up a line to his house on his own and save a bunch of money.  He doesn't think the job is worth 400 dollars an hour.  So he's talking about doing it himself.  Only roadblock is getting the inspector to OK it.

Why is it that when we are talking about moto work its ok the get mad at the cost of having a trained professional do it, but when he talks about electricity, this huge union mindset comes out and berates him.  make the beast with two backs that.

I don't think anyone was berating anyone...except for the OP calling a couple of tradesmen monkeys.

Read the posts.

[Punx Clever]

Did read the posts.  Hell, I wen't back and reread his posts to make sure I didn't miss some stupid remark he made.  He said that pulling wire and attaching said wire to terminals could be done by a monkey.  He's right, personal experience says an 8 year old can do that.  He never called any electrician "a monkey".  Sure, he pregnant doged about the high costs, and I'd say he had a reason.  One contractor telling him it was essentially $400 in labor to hook a meter box to a shutoff?  He called BS, and I would too.

[lethe]

A monkey might be able to do brain surgery too, but I'd never trust that he doesn't plan on killing me and run off with my wife and the life insurance money. Crafty bastards and hella good electricians those monkeys.