Replacing panels in dark basements

[wireguru]

what about giving the HO the option of a portable generator for an additional $75 or whatever to power their fridge and TV (and your worklights) or whatever during the service upgrade.

 

[lucky1974]

I also will mention that OSHA and 70E really do not allow us to cut and reconnect service conductors. In some areas it may be years before 70E has an effect, in other areas I bet 70E will start being enforced and the fines can be high.

Bob, As a one man show nfpa70e is not enforced is it. Meaning as an owner , Versus employee? I am just asking because i am probably wrong, just what i thought.

 

[TOOL_5150]

I picked this puppy up at the Depot the other week on clearance. Found a use for it the next day. Changing out all the devices in a house and ran out of daylight. Popped in a battery and kept working. I discovered one problem, however. When your battery goes dead, the light pops off without warning, it doesn't get dim, it just gets black. Not convenient when your standing on a ladder trying to hang a ceiling fan. Other than that one little quirk, it is an awesome, bright light.

Agreed. Their handheld light does the same thing - not suprised, since it is flourescent. Their new lithium batts do the same thing... so when I am depending on the light source and NEED to know when its starting to die out I use their older 9098 packs and the snakelight or the small handheld light.

~Matt

 

[sparky707]

Down in missery I ment Missouri

Down in missery I ment Missouri

On what I make around here I can only afford candles, Sometimes I can get some free Holy candles from the Catholics. How about them Catholics thanks fathers

 

[kid_stevens]

Generator! No basements here.

Of Course with upcharge for cordless phone service. Add to the fridge and my light circuits. Since my butt set is always in my truck I just bypass the cordless with it so they have phone service.

 

[quogueelectric]

Best laugh I've had all day. In all seriousness, they're getting cheaper and cheaper. My oldest son gets these catalogs that have Russian surplus night vision stuff for not too much money.

First generation equipment is verry crude I have a scope it weighs about 10 lbs and is about 18 x3. Mr racoon didnt know I can watch him in the woods now. Btw I am old school alligator clips 12 copper melts at about 225 amps for ocp.

 

[480sparky]

I take an ordinary drop light, install a 12v bulb, and run an extension cord to the truck. A short, custom-made cord with a female cap on one end, and a pair of big alligator clips on the other, and clamp onto the battery terminals.

 

[peter d]

I make a pile of whatever happens to be stored in the basement, throw some gas on it, and light it up. That usually does the trick for a dark basement.

 

[DAWGS]

I make a pile of whatever happens to be stored in the basement, throw some gas on it, and light it up. That usually does the trick for a dark basement.

Ive lost a couple of helpers using that method.:grin:

 

[CopperTone]

Wire nut a temp outlet to the poco drop.

thats what we do too - with 12/2 romex about 10 ft long. blue Carlon single gang box. when it's beat, just make another. use an old gfi receptacle kicking around the truck.

 

[Sparky555]

Before I bought a generator I'd do a temporary connection to the utility. I used an old AC fused disconnect with a GFCI outlet. IMO it's not safe to have it without a fuse. A glowing extension cord inside a home during an emergency repair isn't my idea of a fun day.

 

[Fulthrotl]

I know what I use to do when I first became an electrician in the 80's and I know what I do now.

How do you provide lighting in dark basments when you are changing a main panel in a dark basement with no or very little natural light after power is removed to start work??

This should be interesting.

well, there is always power at the weatherhead.....:smile:

i usually just walk next door and ask if i can borrow a cup of electricity,
mainly so i can say hi and make another contact.... ya never know. i
always leave a card and say don't hesitate to call if i can be of any help.

inverter on the van and dual batteries usually takes care of any issues
if the neighbor isn't home. when it comes to flashlights, my personal
choice is shurefire's U2 ultra.
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgname/lightU2/strfnbr/6

but if i was looking for a killer flashlight, i'd wait a bit... shurefire is coming
out with an improved version of the ultra, with 400 lumens instead of the
U2's 100 lumen output. the shurefire stuff is awfully pricey, but the stuff
is actually made 3 miles from my house, instead of in china, for what that's
worth. they also make really nice machine gun silencers, if you need one
of those for the work truck as well....

randy

 

[zog]

I have a small inverter in my trunk, use it for small lights or powering my test equipment. I love watching the looks on peoples face when I pull a 80kV hipot out of the trunk of my mustang, plug it in the inverter, and start testing. The stang has more testing capabilities in that trunk (VLF, TAN Delta, 10A ductor, 10kV megger, ground FOP, 250A current source (For GFI's) and Corona scanning)than most shops do and my plates say "BRKRMAN"

 

[kid_stevens]

I have a 4 D cell Maglite with LEDs not as bright as the old bulb or as long reaching but for dark work it lasts for months.

 

[tonyou812]

I always drop a cord from the service and just use two drop lights. And if im working alone ill run a cord to their refrigerator. Periodically ill feel the cord for any signs of heat. I am in the process of making one with a breaker in line. And it was this site that prompted me to do that.
300 bucks for a flashlight borders on neurodict in my book. I dont care how bright it is. Ive got tons of other stuff I would rather have than a fancy flashlight.I do just fine with your basic led and mag light for my tool pouch, and my milwaukee cordless light for most other situations.

 

[electricmanscott]

I have a 4 D cell Maglite with LEDs not as bright as the old bulb or as long reaching but for dark work it lasts for months.

Crappy way to change a panel in a dark basement.

 

[kid_stevens]

Crappy way to change a panel in a dark basement.

Why it lights the room up I don't point it into the panel I point it up and let the light bounce. Works Great.