Overhead power to garage....hard?

[soj]

Options, in order of my preference:

1. Move out of DC.
2. Conduit on the fence.
3. Underground.
4. Overhead.

I realize #1 is probably not feasible for the OP. And not for me either, 'cause I would have never moved there in the first place.

No offence to the OP, I realize we all have to live someplace.

On a more serious note, I would really be looking at the conduit on the fence. Nobody has even mentioned what might be in the ground. And calling 811 might trigger something with the permit folks in DC.

OTOH, who owns the fence, and what happens when it has to be replaced? Surely a fence requires a permit, possibly an inspection. When the inspector sees the conduit... geeeze, what a can of worms.
jp

 

[404]

That's it.

And 404 I always enjoy your posts which tend to be humorous.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Thank you very much that is very kind of you.
I really appreciate you posting about the tool since I have some wiring issues myself that could be so easily solved by this.

Is there a version of this that is really big diameter? Like 3 feet? So we could make tunnels under our back yards without anyone knowing? Other than the earthquake noise and vibration I mean.

 

[sands35]

The problem with the fence (permit or not) is that it might not be on the OP's property. Or worse, could be right on the line. Best avoid that.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

The problem with the fence (permit or not) is that it might not be on the OP's property. Or worse, could be right on the line. Best avoid that.

It's on my property and I own it.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Options, in order of my preference:



1. Move out of DC.

2. Conduit on the fence.

3. Underground.

4. Overhead.



I realize #1 is probably not feasible for the OP. And not for me either, 'cause I would have never moved there in the first place.



No offence to the OP, I realize we all have to live someplace.



On a more serious note, I would really be looking at the conduit on the fence. Nobody has even mentioned what might be in the ground. And calling 811 might trigger something with the permit folks in DC.



OTOH, who owns the fence, and what happens when it has to be replaced? Surely a fence requires a permit, possibly an inspection. When the inspector sees the conduit... geeeze, what a can of worms.

jp

Fence actually has conduit on the other side. Haha. Neighbor is a good buddy. Conduit goes to some outlets and lights by his bbq area.

 

[simpler=better]

Fence actually has conduit on the other side. Haha. Neighbor is a good buddy. Conduit goes to some outlets and lights by his bbq area.

Weeeel thar ye go

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Yep. That's what I'll do.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Ok, my out of the box solution is to run RMC (Rigid Metal Conduit) along the fence and paint it brown.

Thanks for helping me with this. Great idea. Little bit ghetto, but works for my neighborhood. Haha.

 

[pattenp]

Thanks for helping me with this. Great idea. Little bit ghetto, but works for my neighborhood. Haha.

Not you make you flip flop on a decision, but my suggestion to run RMC along the fence is an extreme solution. Is the fence totally on your property? Just be sure of what issues may arise if and when you sell the property. If you do go the route of the conduit on the fence keep us posted with the progress.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Not you make you flip flop on a decision, but my suggestion to run RMC along the fence is an extreme solution. Is the fence totally on your property? Just be sure of what issues may arise if and when you sell the property. If you do go the route of the conduit on the fence keep us posted with the progress.

I work until after dark during the week, so this weekend I am going to go out and really look at the routing. I'm not committed to any of the solutions until I can confirm it will actually work.

Changing your mind is a good thing. That’s your responsibility as a person, as a garage junky — to constantly be updating your positions on as many things as possible. And if you don’t contradict yourself on a regular basis, then you’re not thinking. Or "thinking outside the box" as you said before.

Ok...I'm off my soap box.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Ok here are a couple of pics. I need I need to enter the building through the wall behind the HP. The yellow walls are mine.

 

[Jazz1]

We do underground lines fast with a chainsaw and old blade on it but your situation not chainsaw friendly..cement saw the first 10'?
Conduit along underside of mid rail on fence would be my next choice slipped through a garden hose with faucet at garage

 

[wyliesdiesels]

LB coming out of the house behind the HP, then surface mount the conduit on the wall to just in fron of the HP then sweep it or aim an LB towards the ground, then trench from there. Paint the conduit the same color as the house to make it less noticable...i wouldnt have the LB or conduit coming out of the house below grade to prevent water from going into the basement.

 

[Dragfluid]

Yes it basically goes forward and reverse.

It is really easy and you can get for 2" and up to 4" conduit.

It is really cool and easy with tow behind air compressor.

Just make sure you put it at 2 feet to not raise the patio or a driveway. If at least 2 feet it won't push up drive.

Runs pretty straight at angle and elevation you start it unless it hits a rock and deflects slightly. Busts right thru small rocks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Cool!
I went looking around for this and found some videos, including what 404 put up. On the ramp where the Queen parks, there's a downspout that drains on it. Not a good combination in winter time. I want to drain it underneath.
Perfect! I will be a hero!

 

[Dragfluid]

Thank you very much that is very kind of you.
I really appreciate you posting about the tool since I have some wiring issues myself that could be so easily solved by this.

Is there a version of this that is really big diameter? Like 3 feet? So we could make tunnels under our back yards without anyone knowing? Other than the earthquake noise and vibration I mean.

We could all chip in like these guys did and get one of these.

 

[Fxsb103]

This reminds me of the first house I rented. It had a detached two car garage that ran off of a single 15a breaker somewhere underground. To run my 120v Mig welder, plasma cutter, and air compressor I went to home Depot and got a 100' 10AWG extension cord. Plugged it into the dedicated 20a dryer receptacle. I had that cord running through my yard for two years. On the original underground I hung some 4' florescent shop lights and used an adapter in the keyless lamp holders. The only thing I installed was a new receptacle where I put in a new garage door opener. Took it all with my when I moved. It's powering my shed now as I install a new sub panel of my own.

 

[ordpete944]

Permits aren't that expensive. You could start by downloading the local code book off the internet and see what the requirements are to feed the garage. I'm thinking underground service would be the cleanest install. Two mast heads would be susceptible to tree limbs and ice. You will be happy that you did it underground during the next ice storm. I changed my overhead service to underground and I'm glad i did. It Looks much nicer. Let us know what you find.

 

[TractorJeff]

Figuring he is busy dealing with 2 feet of snow today(23) means he won't get anything done with this issue for at least a week.

 

[nadogail]

Just found this thread tonight. The discussion about permits and the enforcement thereof made me wonder who is running that city.

Obviously the electorate of that community are not practical minded working people.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Just found this thread tonight. The discussion about permits and the enforcement thereof made me wonder who is running that city.

Obviously the electorate of that community are not practical minded working people.

You are correct sir.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Figuring he is busy dealing with 2 feet of snow today(23) means he won't get anything done with this issue for at least a week.

Yeah. The snow *****.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What time period did it take for the snow to get that deep?

 

[DC_Gearhead]

What time period did it take for the snow to get that deep?

About 36 hours.

 

[manwithtools]

This reminds me of the first house I rented. It had a detached two car garage that ran off of a single 15a breaker somewhere underground. To run my 120v Mig welder, plasma cutter, and air compressor I went to home Depot and got a 100' 10AWG extension cord. Plugged it into the dedicated 20a dryer receptacle. I had that cord running through my yard for two years. On the original underground I hung some 4' florescent shop lights and used an adapter in the keyless lamp holders. The only thing I installed was a new receptacle where I put in a new garage door opener. Took it all with my when I moved. It's powering my shed now as I install a new sub panel of my own.

Please be careful with this setup. I had a coworker a few years ago that had a similar setup, his 17 year old son was mowing the yard one day and was electrocuted. It was a sad day for all of us. Lesson learned - no cords in the yard.

 

[Dagny]

I put up overhead wire all the time. I recommend it on dairy farms. It's not that hard to install. However you need ladders and splicing tools. It is hard to find young electricians with overhead experience . It's just not as popular as it was.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I put up overhead wire all the time. I recommend it on dairy farms. It's not that hard to install. However you need ladders and splicing tools. It is hard to find young electricians with overhead experience . It's just not as popular as it was.

The OP is trying to do it incognito so overhead isnt an option.