"Paul M. Eldridge" wrote:

On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:03:17 -0600, "Pete C."
wrote:

I redid all my panels a couple years ago and with a 40 space main panel,
using two spaces for a surge suppresser, two for a generator feed and
electric everything, I've still got 6 spaces free.

For your panel, you could cheaply and easily add a sub panel should you
need more spaces, and depending on why you needed those extra spaces a
sub panel may be more desirable anyway. I have a 125A 32 space sub panel
out in my shop.

Hi Pete,

I have a 100-amp main panel with 32 half height breakers, but no means
to add a sub panel (finished area).

A finished area doesn't mean you can't add a sub panel. Indeed if you
couldn't add a sub, how could you install new circuits to use up the
remaining space in the current panel? It's just a bit more work to fish
wires around, and a little less fun.

I'd like to add a second ductless
heat pump to serve the basement level and it seems my best option is
to terminate the range cable in the laundry room and install a pony
panel that will serve both loads; given the oven is 5,200-watts, there
should be enough capacity for them to happily co-exist.

Capacity is a function of the wire gauge, so you'd need to verify what
it's wired with. If it's a newer installation, the range feed should be
four wire which is what you'd need for a sub panel. If it's older three
wire then you can't repurpose it as a sub panel feed.


My point on the dual fuel was really that gas is preferable for surface
burners where the ability to adjust the heat with no lag time, and the
higher peak output are better, and the electric for the ovens where they
provide for generally better controls and often more even heat.

As you say, better temperature control is supposedly one key
advantage, although I can't honestly say I've noticed any difference.

It depends on the cooking you do as to how much you'd notice it, but I
certainly noticed that when I cook on electric I frequently have to
physically lift a pan off the burner when I turn it down since it will
take several seconds before the electric coil begins to cool vs. the
instant change in flame level with gas. Minor for small pans, but a real
pain for big heavy stuff, or when you are multitasking several burners
and can't spare the time to hold the pan in the air.