So what would you have done different with your new shop?

[MossRoad]

So what are the thoughts of running lights just out of a breaker box and not using a light switch. Seems unnecessary in my mind but you never know.

I did that in my large garage on two circuits and smack myself every time I have to open that circuit panel and flip a breaker. :duh:

After 10 years of flipping a breaker to turn off and on some stupid light, I can tell you... don't do it man! :laughing:

I'm putting in switches this summer.

 

[MossRoad]

Think of it this way... you know where the light switch (breaker) is, but does anyone else? Ask your spouse to turn on or off the lights in the building for you... or a friend... "Yeah, it's in the panel. The second one down on the left. Flip it to the right. No. The other right!" :banghead:

:laughing:

 

[grsthegreat]

Seems like a bad idea. Light switches are less than $5 and take about 15 minutes to install. Breakers are not designed to be repeatedly cycled.

not so. you can get switch rated breakers. we use them in commercial applications all the time. most stores have a lighting panel and the employees have to switch on breakers every day. unless theres a lighting control system like the modern stores are using.

but me personally....use a switch

 

[JimRB]

also keeps the rats from chewing it.

I bought some brand new Continental 5/8" water hose for the barn. The rats ate through the hose in a few weeks time. They did not have a hankering for the vinyl hose we had been using the past 15 year. They also ate through the plastic wheelbarrow. I suppose I will need to replace our 30 year old wheelbarrows sometime in the next few years.

All the wiring in the barn is in EMT conduit except the feed from the house which is in grey plastic conduit. While my mind does not do bends well with add 5 inches, subtract 5 inches, I still like running conduit. I have added circuits to existing 1/2 EMT. 3/4 inch EMT would have been handy in some places.

If you run water pipes under the slab, run insulation around it. Nothing more annoying than water pipe that is earth bonded so it take time to warm up the earth before you get hot water. Also that insulation maybe a little fudge factor that allows the pipe to expand and contract without tearing up.

 

[bdog]

I was not aware of the commercial breakers meant to be cycled. I worked at a shop years ago where the lights were controlled with the breaker but it was a regular home type. It did fail from the constant on off and I had to replace it. The building was rented and I couldn't add a switch but oh I wanted too. the dang panel was at least a 100' from the door and I had to take a flashlight in there to turn it on.

Also you don't really have to run much extra wire if you don't want to. You can mount a switch box with a 1" nipple directly to the breaker box. You would use less than a foot of extra wire and would have the switch right by the breaker box. Me personally I would put it by the door.

I wired my entire shop by myself but that was 8 years ago. Int he past two weeks though I have installed 22 new light fixtures out there and 3 outside dusk to dawn lights. Wiring up stuff isn't that difficult. Take the time and do it right and don't have the hassle of jacking with some half done setup for the rest of your life.

 

[dragoneggs]

... down on the left. Flip it to the right. No. The other right!" :banghead:

:laughing:

... sit down, stand up, fight, fight, fight!

Got an old school cheer stuck in my head reading your reply.

 

[MossRoad]

... sit down, stand up, fight, fight, fight!

Got an old school cheer stuck in my head reading your reply.

HAHHAhahaa!!! :laughing:

 

[dragoneggs]

HAHHAhahaa!!! :laughing:

My wife thinks it was... ‘stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight’. This is our argument tonight... I say how can you sit down and fight. I’m losing this battle too.

 

[Xfaxman]

My wife thinks it was... 壮tand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight? This is our argument tonight... I say how can you sit down and fight. I知 losing this battle too.

Yep, Google says your wife is right: sit down, stand up, fight, fight, fight - Google Search

"Lean to the Left, Lean to the Right, Stand Up, Sit Down, Fight, Fight, Fight!"

 

[MossRoad]

Well, if that's the case, then.... it's a stupid cheer, and deserves the Bronx Cheer!