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    #1

    Electrical (and plumbing) Question

    I lost a water heater. No, I'm fine, it was just an appliance. Anyway, I'm thinking tankless as a replacement but need to get the right amount of power to this thing. My main service panel (400 amp) is outside the house and I really don't think I can get power from it to the new water heater. I have power at the water heater spot from that panel, but it's not enough for a tankless (2 30 amps on #10 exist and I need 2 40 amps on #8 wires). My sub panel, which has all the receptacles and light breakers is 3 feet from the spot where the water heater sits and it has room for more breakers. Can I pull the right power out of that sub-panel, with the right breakers installed to run this tankless unit? it will likely be surface mounted conduit the short distance to the water heater.

    Thoughts?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Depends on what the sub panel is feed with and what all is in the sub panel.

    If the tankless only uses two 40 amp circuses not very big if it's a whole house heater. Most that I've seen for whole house is 3 circuits. I could be wrong.

    Comment

      #3
      This will feed the downstairs only. One shower and the kitchen, basically.

      Comment

        #4
        What is the main breaker size in your sub panel? And what other breakers are you currently using?

        Comment

          #5
          Everything in the sub is 20 amp (lights, receptacles, etc). It's none of the big stuff. The a/c, oven, cook top, water heaters, etc are all in the main service panel outside.

          Comment

            #6
            There should be a 2-pole breaker in the main panel that feeds to the sub panel.

            Need to know the size of that breaker.

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by Todd-ty729 View Post
              There should be a 2-pole breaker in the main panel that feeds to the sub panel.

              Need to know the size of that breaker.
              2 60s.

              Comment

                #8
                Main - Sub Panel upper left.
                [ATTACH]804420[/ATTACH]

                Sub Panel.
                [ATTACH]804421[/ATTACH]

                Comment

                  #9
                  Not big enough breaker and wire to do tankless off sub panel.
                  Most of tankless i see need min. 2-DP 40amp breakers. I'm personally not a fan of electric tankless if it's bigger than a small 110v for a dedicated sink,etc. Takes up too much breaker space in panel and cost alot when it is running. I like the propane better if you do have propane.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by splitbeam145 View Post
                    Not big enough breaker and wire to do tankless off sub panel.
                    Most of tankless i see need min. 2-DP 40amp breakers. I'm personally not a fan of electric tankless if it's bigger than a small 110v for a dedicated sink,etc. Takes up too much breaker space in panel and cost alot when it is running. I like the propane better if you do have propane.
                    What he said!^^^^^


                    I would just go back with what you have.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Not big enough buddy, If you're set on the tankless see if there is a conduit from main panel to sub panel and repull new wire and upsize that 60 to 100 (min) if the conduit pipe diameter allows. But it would be a lot of headache for not much reward. Not a big fan of electric tankless water heaters

                      Comment

                        #12
                        I wanted to go tankless the last time I had to replace my gas water heater, but I found out my gas supply line wasn't big enough. Replumbing the gas line would have cost way more than the water heater itself. I went back with a regular gas water heater, only bigger than my old one. We've not run out of hot water since.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Casey in addition to not having enough power, I believe you will be disappointed in the performance of an electric tankless. Gas is MUCH better for tankless.


                          "An honest government has no fear of an armed population".

                          Comment

                            #14
                            This is what I put in at the Oklahoma place I have.
                            Tempra® Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heaters | Stiebel Eltron USA
                            http://www.stiebel-eltron-usa.com/products/tempra-series-whole-house-tankless-electric-water-heaters
                            The Next Big Thing for today's households. Advanced technology, unique features, energy saving performance, and compact design. Superb choice for a booster heater.


                            Click on tech specs and it will tell you what you need for electrical for a particular unit.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              I was worried I didn't have enough juice. It wouldn't surprise me if we could pull the power from the main to the sub. This house seems to have all that stuff worked out adequately enough. I don't need a huge unit as it is only the first floor which includes master. Separate 50 gallon serves the upstairs.

                              Gas not an option.

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