Question for electrically inclined

[chocotaco]

OK, since I don't seem to be able to explain the situation very well, I recorded a short video of the whole thing so you guys can see. Remember, I was not involved in installing the spa so if this thing is totally cukoo bananas it's not my fault! Also, if this video makes the whole thing look like a disaster, let me know so I can leave it be.

 

[chocotaco]

Y'know, I just realized something that I should have thought of earlier.

I can just pop out the 50A breaker in the main panel and replace it with a double pole 20A breaker. Then it's just a matter of putting a gang box at the end of the existing conduit and connecting up a 20A/220V outlet. Much easier, right? I don't really NEED the extra 15A outlets.

It also just clicked to me that the conduit runs right next to my gas furnace. Is that bad? It seems bad. Maybe I need an AFCI breaker and a GFCI receptacle?

 

[Jerz]

I would just install a weatherproof loadcenter outside at the end of the run and then you could do whatever you wanted. Leave the 50A 2Pole breaker inside and roll with it, take the conduit loose at the last fitting, pull the conduit off the wire, cut to desired length, put back on wire, get a compression connector and myers hub or whatever weatherproof hub you can get for the loadcenter and roll with it. Then you have flexibility to do whatever you want.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-12...er-NEMA-3R-BR816L125RP/100160121#.Uqjc7uLFoYs
hubs for that panel: http://www.homedepot.com/s/eaton%20hub?NCNI-5

Edit: I'd also use some offset nipples to go to your bell boxes and just mount those directly under the panel with weatherproof covers. http://www.homedepot.com/s/offset%20nipple?NCNI-5 http://www.homedepot.com/s/bell%20box?NCNI-5 http://www.homedepot.com/s/in%20use%20cover?NCNI-5

 

[The10mmKid]

Cool, a video . . . . .it really helps a lot.

OK,
Yes, You can swap out that 50A C.B for a 20A
Yes, you can use that same #8 wire.

BUT

You are gonna have a hard time getting that wire under the set screw on the 20A breaker AND likewise under the set screw on the 20A outlet. Even the manufacturer would frown on it.

SO

You will need to pigtail splice a 20A(12ga) piece of wire on each end of the #8 run.
The larger Blue wire nuts will need to be used.

Don't forget the GFCI protection!!!!!!!

I don't have audio at my dumb server terminal, but I think I know where you want the outlet box mounted.

I would seperate the conduit at that union about 8' high. Pull the conduit off the wall and slide it off the #8 cable. Cut your conduit, deburr the sharp edges and slide it back onto the cable.

I would recommend a larger 4" square outdoor box just for the pigtail connections and mount your outlet with it's box below/next to that.

Don't sweat the NG line.

'da Kid