Removing flush meter and mast (pic)

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codeunderstanding said:
What would be a good way to get that stuff out of the wall short of ripping the wall apart?
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Sorry Bud, but I don't see anything good or positive to say about what is going to happen to the existing finished surfaces on that project.

Heck, just trying to match paint shade will be enough to have most HO's worked up.
Know any good carpenters?
 
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codeunderstanding said:
I'm planning on doing a service change out and am going to replace all the existing equipment. I need to get the old meter and mast out of the inside wall and replace with new meter and mast and replace roughly in the same spot. What would be a good way to get that stuff out of the wall short of ripping the wall apart?
http://images.photo.walgreens.com/232323232fp43239>nu=323;>;3:>:<;>WSNRCG=32334:38354;5nu0mrj
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I see what you mean. Boy that meter is in a bad spot. So where is the existing panelboard located?
 
Rip the wall apart. Get a bid for a carpentry sub to include with your price. Maybe a roofer too if the roof is too old to comfortably replace the roof boot without messing up the shingles.

flushpanel.jpg

image courtesy James in Los Angeles
 
In my neck of the woods, flush meter sockets are a no-no. All surface mount or no power.

I've taken treated plywood, painted to match the house, and covered the old meter socket. Then mount the new socket on the ply, and build a new service like normal.

Clearance over the porch roof on the left might be an issue...
 
480sparky said:
In my neck of the woods, flush meter sockets are a no-no. All surface mount or no power.

I've taken treated plywood, painted to match the house, and covered the old meter socket. Then mount the new socket on the ply, and build a new service like normal.

Clearance over the porch roof on the left might be an issue...
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I've thought about covering the meter with plywood like you say. The only thing is the old mast in the roof. Leave it or cut it off or try to some how pull it out?
 
codeunderstanding said:
I've thought about covering the meter with plywood like you say. The only thing is the old mast in the roof. Leave it or cut it off or try to some how pull it out?
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I typically rip off the old boot, saw the mast off as flush as possible, and wiggle a new shingle in over the old hole/boot area. Drill your new mast up through where it needs to go, or bend an offset in the mast out around the gutter if there's not much overhang.
 
codeunderstanding said:
I've thought about covering the meter with plywood like you say. The only thing is the old mast in the roof. Leave it or cut it off or try to some how pull it out?
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I usually cut the old mast off low enough to still install the old weatherhead. Let the roofers deal with it next time the house gets a new lid.
 
480sparky said:
I usually cut the old mast off low enough to still install the old weatherhead. Let the roofers deal with it next time the house gets a new lid.
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That, right there, is a cool idea. Thanks!
 
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Wow are you in luck if you don't live in Iowa. (480's turf) If you are upgrading to 200amp and the drop mast is 2" dia, there is hope. First up, a flat bar will peel up the siding real easy for access from the outside. You will also need to strip out the undershearwall that is probably 1 x 8.

Once you have access, re-masting to a new flush meterbox (May need offsetting next to window) can be done with a monkey wrench. Trust me, its hard work but is viable. An extended selfeed bit may be needed if the mast holes are tight. A new panelboard directly under in the basement should be a piece of cake. Make sure the 250.52(A)(5) electrodes or equiv are installed also.

If above is not feasible, I would consider one of the options Marc posted if you can do outside (surface) meter-main combo in your area. Good Luck rbj
 
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gndrod said:
First up, a flat bar will peel up the siding real easy for access from the outside.
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:grin:
Yeah, but if it's aluminium siding. About a 98.345% chance that will destroy it. I'd budget replacement of that wall's siding in a bid if I intended to remove any of it.
 
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mdshunk said:
:grin:
Yeah, but it's aluminium siding. About a 98.345% chance that will destroy it. I'd budget replacement of that wall's siding in a bid if I intended to remove any of it.
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I agree. I swear that looks like 1x10 beveled cedar heartwood. Sorry for myoptic wishing. I think the challenge is getting any box in next to the window in a standard stud bay. (which probably doesn't exist in that corner)
 
Yeah, but it's aluminium siding. About a 98.345% chance that will destroy it.
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Really?

Not much of that out here but it seems like it should be easy to remove/replace. Doesn't it just snap together and nail on?
 
220/221 said:
Really?

Not much of that out here but it seems like it should be easy to remove/replace. Doesn't it just snap together and nail on?
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Marc's right if it is Al and it generally does not come off straight. Now if it's vinyl, that may work.
 
mdshunk said:
:grin:
Yeah, but if it's aluminium siding. About a 98.345% chance that will destroy it. I'd budget replacement of that wall's siding in a bid if I intended to remove any of it.
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In my dealings it has been closer to 98.675%.
 
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