Offset nipple or another option?

[Hv&Lv]

Need opinion from the collective minds..
I looked at a small job to replace an old meterbase combo with a new meterbase combo for a transfer switch.
The SE cable comes in from the roof(ranch stack 2’ above roof), through the overhang, and is behind the brick. The existing meterbase combo is also recessed in the brick.
It has 2-100 amp breakers that each feed a 100 amp panel in the house.
They cut the brick down to go in front of the rigid pipe and look like full bricks.

I want to fill in with brick and surface mount the new meter base/ combo panel and get a transfer switch in there somehow..

problem is, I would like to use the existing rigid if I could find an offset that would offset that far. A 3/4” offset is all I could find. I would need something like a 2” steel offset nipple that offsets 2-2 1/2” rather than a normal nipple that offsets 3/4”.
They make one of those?

 

[James L]

So you're wanting to leave the original pipe behind the brick, then offset out of the brick somehow?

How much length do you have available?

You have threads on the end of the existing rigid?

Wondering....how will you spin an offset nipple into a coupling? Will it clear?

Can you take a piece of 2" rigid to a muffler shop and have a tight offset bent there? Around here, we have rigid overhead risers bent at muffler shops all the time

 

[Buck Parrish]

How long do you need the nipple to be?

But wait ... James get's two inch rigid bent at a muffler shop? Wow , that's a new one on me. They must make heavy duty mufflers.

 

[Hv&Lv]

So you're wanting to leave the original pipe behind the brick, then offset out of the brick somehow?

Yes

How much length do you have available?

Length of rigid? 22 ft. Length of wire? 4’ extra to push down the pipe

You have threads on the end of the existing rigid?

Wondering....how will you spin an offset nipple into a coupling? Will it clear?

Yes, and chip out the bottom two or three bricks and gently spin on a coupling. They have to be removed anyway for the offset

 

[Todd0x1]

Invoice line item: Custom pipe bending charge $180.00

16 Ton Hydraulic Pipe Bender

Amazing deals on this 16Ton Hydraulic Pipe Bender at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[LarryFine]

Or try a pair of 22.5-degree elbows.

 

[Hv&Lv]

Invoice line item: Custom pipe bending charge $180.00

16 Ton Hydraulic Pipe Bender

Amazing deals on this 16Ton Hydraulic Pipe Bender at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I actually have one of those but can’t bend a 2” tight enough(I don’t think)..

 

[Hv&Lv]

Or try a pair of 22.5-degree elbows.

That’s about 18” of fittings I believe.
Kinda why I was hunting an offset that’s offset farther.

 

[Buck Parrish]

That’s about 18” of fittings I believe.
Kinda why I was hunting an offset that’s offset farther.

That's what I meant . What is the maximum length the offset can be ?

 

[Todd0x1]

I actually have one of those but can’t bend a 2” tight enough(I don’t think)..

Let the 2" ride on the ridges of the 1-1/4" shoe? (I have no idea if this would work, kink the pipe, or cause the bender to explode)

 

[synchro]

Would two of these with a short nipple in between meet your needs?
On the pricey side and overkill for the application, but the bend radius would be small. Maybe too small?

EL6 2 NPT IRON 45 DEG FEMALE DIV 1 ELBOW

2 NPT IRON 45 DEG FEMALE DIV 1 ELBOW

www.kellyhayes.com

 

[Hv&Lv]

That's what I meant . What is the maximum length the offset can be ?

I’m not really limited by obstacles, more by what looks good. I’m wondering now since it was mentioned if I can bend two shorter 22.5 as Larry suggested and thread them...

 

[LarryFine]

I’m not really limited by obstacles, more by what looks good. I’m wondering now since it was mentioned if I can bend two shorter 22.5 as Larry suggested and thread them...

They're sold already made.

Or you mean bend, then cut, then thread?

 

[Hv&Lv]

They're sold already made.

Yeah, I was thinking if I cut them down and retread them I could get it a little tighter to maybe about 8-10 inches of fittings sticking out of the wall.
I’ve got the threader and the bender.
we use it for substation bus. I’m not a pro at extravagant bends but I believe I can muddle through a couple of 22.5s to practice on.

This job is for a friend up the road from me...
You know how it is...

 

[James L]

Or try a pair of 22.5-degree elbows.

It's pretty regular that we have to offset around a gutter on a house with no overhang. Double elbow is too much, by far

 

[augie47]

Might be some interesting bonding but what about mounting the new meter base combo on the surface over the old one and chase nipple out the back

 

[James L]

How long do you need the nipple to be?

But wait ... James get's two inch rigid bent at a muffler shop? Wow , that's a new one on me. They must make heavy duty mufflers.

Yup. Just drop in any one of them around here. $20 gets a custom bend - tight

 

[Hv&Lv]

Might be some interesting bonding but what about mounting the new meter base combo on the surface over the old one and chase nipple out the back

Wait... that’s a legal option?
Just gut the old base and leave the outer case in the brick?

 

[augie47]

Might want the blessing of the AHJ but I have seen similar approved,.
With proper bonding jumpers and no splices in the old box you are simply using it as a raceway.
Unusual, but this is an unusual situation.

 

[synchro]

Can you use a 90° bend to enter on the side of the new meter base combo, and kick the 90 out enough to clear the brick, etc?