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Wildhorse1979 · Sep 23, 2009, 01:45 PM

I am trying to find out what all I need to buy to start service for a mobile home. I have spoke with the electric company and do know that I need to have one of there people come out and show me where I have to put the pole but after that I don't know. Right now I do not have anything on the lot I am going to buy a mobile home it will be 2 bedrooms and one bath kitchen living room and washer and dryer hook ups. It will be all electric. I live in the county.
Can you please tell me what all I need and what amp box etc any information whould be helpful I know nothing like this. I am going to have someone qualified to do the work I just want to see if I can order the parts on line at a more reasonable price so that I can have it all when I do get the mobile home and make sure that they are not trying to get over on me with price. They could tell me anything and I would not know the difference with this.
I have not purchased one yet Im trying to find out everything I need so when I am purchasing one if I need to ask anything please let me know so I can ask or if there is anything I need to look at before getting a certain kind I will be buying a used mobile home about 14ft wide and 50ft long just approx.

All info will be helpful thank you

tkrussell · Sep 23, 2009, 02:04 PM

Anything you get from here will be generic. What you need to do is check with the ower company for their requirements for service. Often they have a booklet showing a sketch or diagram of exactly how to set up a service. They will also give you approved part numbers for meter sockets they require you to use.

Most likely you will need a meter with a built in main breaker.

This home should need a 200 amp service, however the electrician you hire needs to review the home and do a load calculation to size the service.

Besides the long runs of conduit and feeder cable are several onesies twosies, of weather head, conduit straps two 8 foot ground rods, two ground wire clamps, and so on.

I can think that much money could be saved buying your own materials on the net, but I may be wrong. Then you need to find a contractor that will do the job for you with you furnishing the materials.

Every time I have allowed that, something is always wrong,and causes me to spend more time stalling the job till the right parts are procured.

hkstroud · Sep 23, 2009, 05:55 PM

Check with the place where you plan on purchasing your mobile home, companies who move mobile homes (many not only move them but also set them up) and other mobile home owners in your area. Many hardware stores, electric suppliers and building suppliers can sell you a pole and all of the hardware as a package. That is probably your best bet.

stanfortyman · Sep 23, 2009, 07:00 PM

Make sure you check with the guy doing the work if this arrangement is OK with him.

There is ALWAYS problems with this arrangement. You admit you don't know what you need. As TK said, any answers you get online will be purely generic. Besides, what do you really expect to save? $50? $100? Is it really worth it?

Personally I DO NOT work this way. If you feel you can get the material cheaper then I bet you can get an electrician to work cheaper as well.
Be prepared to pay him for more time due to all the delays when he does not have something and you have to run out to get it.

People who ask for this arrangement are almost always hard to work for since they think you are ripping them off at every turn.