Oct 9 - powerbypaul

Paul Mullen does generator installations.  His associate John is the electrician and he also has a plumber.  I haven't met Paul or the plumber yet but John was here yesterday and did the electrical work.

Although I could have done this myself, as it turns out it was good to have John here.  I learned a lot about the transfer switch itself and we changed the location of said switch.  John felt that there was no point in having it in my workshop and removed the breaker assembly from the switch to just use the switch.  It's now located a couple of feet from the main panel, adding yet more clutter to an already busy utility room.

I supplied a few parts for the job, augmenting my reputation (with Jason) as "Dave's Depot".  In fact these were parts leftover from the panel installation at the old cottage, when #8 & #10 wires were fatter and 1" panel connector clamps were required. 

With this new location, I've got a lot of spare #6 wire.  I also supplied the 60 amp breaker, so I've got a spare 70 amp that's now been removed from the main panel.  I have the 30' "whip" as they call it and the connector from transfer switch to main panel that would have been used had I done a typical installation.   I will use these to bargain with Paul regarding the 14/6 wire that he'll have to supply from transfer switch to generator. 

Paul and his plumber are scheduled to be here on Monday.  I've setup a form outside where I'll be pouring the pad.  If I don't do that today, David will give me a hand tomorrow.  The other major things on my close-up agenda are wrapping the gazebo, juggling trailers, winterizing the lake pump ... I've got to get going at all this stuff or I won't be ready to leave on Thursday morning !

Stef finished off the tile cutting.  I think that she may have mortared down the remaining tiles, not sure.  She still has to grout.  I need to see the final result of all this before heading to Florida !  It all looks better when it's finished.  When I left, the tiles weren't all down, mortar was on the surface of many, it looked like a mess.  I want to see the fruits of our labours.

The basement is a mess.  Ceiling tiles down, wire piled in the workroom, stuff that is normally hanging piled around, all to make way for the generator installation.  I'm going to be hard pressed to get that cleaned up on the days that I'll have remaining, i.e. Tuesday and Wednesday, after the installation has been completed.  He'd better do a great job ... he's cutting into the plumbing that runs the furnace, hot water etc. etc.  I don't like doing all this so close to our departure date.

Jason, Lo and Kim arrived yesterday afternoon ... oh yes, and Chilli.  Kyle and Gavin are coming up today, Friday, I think.  No doubt they'll arrive very late so as to avoid the typical Thanksgiving traffic.  Amanda  is working this weekend so she won't be coming; Mike and Jill aren't coming -- getting closer to Jill's due date.  Jason will be closing up this weekend as well, since he's heading down to Florida just one day after us. 

Yesterday turned out to be very nice, sunny and cool.  I need a few more of those days to get prepped to leave.

Onward ... I hope !