Check this out...

[Dave M.]

A friend wants to install a 24000 BTU air conditioner in a VW repair shop
with around 1920's wiring. He doesn't want to tamper with the old service
panel.( I don't know what the service drop current rating is ). There are no
240 volt outlets in the shop. He wants to provide 240 volt power to the air
conditioner by plugging extension cords into two120 volt outlets from
opposite phases of the service and wiring them to a 240 volt outlet for the
air conditioner! He also wants to do this with his 240 volt, 6 hp
compressor, which will probably be connected to the same branch circuits and
that will surely blow fuses if both units are powered. From my experience,
the old 120 volt outlet and lighting branch circuits have badly
tarnished14AWG wiring, fused at 15 amps. He might buy a new 24000 BTU air
conditioner rated at 240 volts, 12.5 amps. That's probably about 80% of the
branch load rating. I cringe at the idea of using extension cords, because
the plugs and sockets might overheat. I hope he uses time delay fuses for
starting surge. He might be able to do it, at least for a while. I objected
to this fire hazard and offered to install "code" branch circuits, charging
for parts only, but he's not listening.

Dave M.

 

[Dave M.]

in
are
Dave,
This sounds like the type of mentality that WILL get people killed.
your concerns about the life of the insulation and
"Jury Rig Extension lead" are well founded.

Most Codes are established for a reason. To protect people
from such ideots.
If he has such a scheme in mind, chances are that he has other such things
in other places that you may or may not know about.

If I were you, I would write him a letter saying just what you have said
and copy it to somebody else and then Stay the hell away from the whole
thing.

It's too bad. I used to like to visit that shop!

 

[User 1.nospam]

Whip down to State Farm or some other insurance guy and take a term life
policy on the guy....you decide how much to buy....then stop by and give him
a copy of the policy so that he will know that his miserly attitude toward
safety may make you a rich guy!

Make sure that you are both the 'owner' and beneficiary of the policy.
<grin>

 

[Dave M.]

are

Tell him, that friend or not, *when* there is a fire (not *if*, but *when*),
you are going straight to his insurance adjuster and telling them why the
place burned down. Most insurance policies on commercial buildings don't
allow the 'owner self-wired' excuse. If he knows the insurance probably
won't pay when they find out he knew it was dangerous but did it anyway to
save money, he may have to re-think his plans.

I agree, it's when.

You may loose him as a friend, but real friends don't let friends wire
things like this!!! Wonder how the wiring is in his home???

Sorry, he rents an apartment.