TNGW1500SE wrote:
That's a strange place for a meter and a panel. ...
This house was built in the 1960's has had several additions and changes. Garage built after the house. Tornado blew it away, rebuilt, house added on-to, remodeled several times, inside re-configured, walls down, walls up, walls moved. Electrical, plumbing, flooring, added bathrooms, took out bathrooms. This house has been through it all... several times.
Good thing is, the County Assessor paid us a visit a few months ago, inspected everything, and we got our new tax figures we have to live with now for the next 10 years or so. Actually, taxes went down!
Best I can figure that panel was the original temporary panel builders will sometimes install to temporarily run the electricity to, get the electric company to hang the meter then they build the house around it.
For what it's worth, it's been there for a good 45 years at least as all the wiring is underground, from the utility pole to my bedroom. (I'm not afraid of messing with the wires, but digging a hole is a bigger problem. Those wires run everywhere underground!)
About 3 years ago, I decided to treat that old, weather beaten treated lumber with some paint. I choose white and red, because neither color would clash with the house and garage too much. Slowly, I've been changing all the trim on the house to red, even repainting vinyl shutters and anything (that is still remaining non-vinylized wood). So, if that board hasn't been clobbered in 45 plus years, I'm not too worried about it now.
The basketball goal that sat right next to it was a real pain though. That basket hung over the driveway, and even raised in the highest position, was still in the way of the camper. I did back the car into that stupid basketball goal once though, left a scratch on the car, but didn't hurt anything.
The board is due for a new fresh coat of paint anyway, so will probably slap some paint on everything again soon. Problem is, we've had so much rain and wet weather, those boards are just ... wet through and through. Can't expect paint to stick to that.
For something like this, permits not needed. We've got a lot of latitude where I live. That's why I choose this place.
In case you are interested, that panel is 200 amps and splits to the house and the garage. Inside the garage is another 100 amp panel and inside the house is another 100 amp panel.
Inside the house, that 100 amp panel is also sub paneled out to another smaller 100 amp, with breakers for the 2 air conditioners in the house and second water heater. The place has panels all over.
I figure almost the electricity passing to every electric item in the house has passed through 5 sets of breakers! Awesome! Simply awesome! I didn't build the house, I just bought it and remodeled around what was already there.
