Cheapest way to run temporary power.

[Blazinzuk]

I might need to run a temporary power out to my pole barn.

It's about 100 ft from the house panel. Just a couple cheap lights and an outlet or two for to run a grinder or sawzall.

Best way to do this?

By temporary just until I get power out there is September.

 

[Dhagan887]

100' extension cord and a few 3 ways?

 

[kd3pc]

100' of 12/2 or 10/2 UF laying on the ground until you get it done.

Honda 2000 generator is an option as well.

I have used both, equally easy and useful.

 

[bczygan]

Cheapest way?

Hook into the neighbors meter.

That's what they do around here...

Bill

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for the gray outdoor rated 12/2 wire. Basically build yourself a heavy *** duty extension cord !!

 

[nadogail]

If you use UF laid on the ground, you can later repurpose it while wiring branch circuits.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Good 100 foot cord

 

[sberry]

100 ft 12 cord if you have 3 ways. Its not a big deal usually as the operator can control the load. But a 12 is good with multiple outlets and cant be overloaded on 20A circuits.

 

[Blazinzuk]

Well cool then. A couple of 12-2 cords. Kind of what I thought.

Neighbors power is like 200 ft away so that's a no go lol

So I can just bury that kind of shallow for now and use it later to help wire the shop.

Or should I roll it up on a cheap hose real and just string it out when I need it?

 

[cgrutt]

12 gauge cords aren't cheap. I'd bring them inside when you're not using them. I wouldn't bury them no matter what.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Well cool then. A couple of 12-2 cords. Kind of what I thought.

Neighbors power is like 200 ft away so that's a no go lol

So I can just bury that kind of shallow for now and use it later to help wire the shop.

Or should I roll it up on a cheap hose real and just string it out when I need it?

Cordage isnt rated for direct burial or underground usage in conduit. Lay it on the ground if u must

 

[Blazinzuk]

12 gauge cords aren't cheap. I'd bring them inside when you're not using them. I wouldn't bury them no matter what.

Cordage isnt rated for direct burial or underground usage in conduit. Lay it on the ground if u must

I'm talking about 12-2 UF. When speaking electric I'm gonna use the wrong terminology most of the time. But I'm learning

 

[cgrutt]

Sorry misunderstood. I don't see why it wouldn't work but have no idea if its up to code or not.

 

[Blazinzuk]

Sorry misunderstood. I don't see why it wouldn't work but have no idea if its up to code or not.

It's temporary. Im not worried about code. Besides it's Wyoming when I wire the shop I don't need a permit or an inspection. At least in my county. I do have to have an electrician hook the power to the breaker box though.

 

[cgrutt]

I was thinking more about burning the barn down or electricuting the cat than violating any code lol. Geez I'd love to live in Free America. The way it should be. Good luck!

 

[Blazinzuk]

I was thinking more about burning the barn down or electricuting the cat than violating any code lol. Geez I'd love to live in Free America. The way it should be. Good luck!

Yep I worry about that alot lol. I think I am gonna dig a shallow trench and put it in PVC pipe so I can just see the top of the PVC pipe.

Hopefully our other house sells soon then I can just get on with business of fully outfitting it as a shop

It's nice living here. Very few inspection. I can install my own septic system for the shop as long as the septic is under a certain size. No permit needed for building my front wall or putting the 15 ft addition out back.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It's temporary. Im not worried about code. Besides it's Wyoming when I wire the shop I don't need a permit or an inspection. At least in my county. I do have to have an electrician hook the power to the breaker box though.

So because no inspections or permits are needed it means u shouldnt do it right? Smh

 

[Blazinzuk]

So because no inspections or permits are needed it means u should do it right? Smh

If there were inspections and permits I would still do it. I did it at my last shop. It was inspected. Passed no problems.

If I don't think I can handle something or build something safely. Well I just learn more about it until I can do it properly and safely.

Takes me longer and I usually go crazy overkill and end up spending more in materials than a pro. But also far less than hiring it done.

 

[TractorJeff]

UF cable knifed in an inch or two so you can drive over it with the lawnmower. As its temporary I wouldn't put it in conduit as then it tends to become permanent.
Rolling it up on a hose reel gets old real quick!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Cheapest is to run the permanent wire. Cost is effectively $0.
Why wait until September?

 

[Blazinzuk]

Cheapest is to run the permanent wire. Cost is effectively $0.
Why wait until September?

The panel at my house is old and nearly full. In addition there is the 12' wide concrete patio I don't want to disrupt.

I have had a couple electricians look at it. They agree the best way is just to run a new service out to the shop. That is not an inexpensive endeavor.

I also plan on running the water and electric in the same trench. They will be 3 ft apart in depth and on opposite sides of a 2ft wide trench. Talking to a couple guys they put water lines 6ft down here. So doing the trench backfilling it 3 ft and then doing the electric in the same trench.

It is what is commenly done around here

Hence my reason for waiting

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm talking about 12-2 UF. When speaking electric I'm gonna use the wrong terminology most of the time. But I'm learning

O ok. Yeah cordage and UF-B are 2 entirely different types of cable.

Instead of trenching have u thought of doing an overhead feeder?

 

[bczygan]

As mentioned above, why not just buy the wire you need for the future service, and run it along the ground.

Bury it later.

Bill

 

[Beemer533]

Just do what one of the contractors did for us in Thailand... Worked just fine

 

[wyliesdiesels]

3-phase 400v Scary!!

 

[Beemer533]

We got to drive over it every day as well.. That always made me cringe.

They just ran it right it the front door after crossing the parking lot...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Makes ya glad to be living in the US even with all our problems!

 

[Norcal]

3-phase 400v Scary!!

Being Thailand it may have "only" been 380V.

 

[Blazinzuk]

O ok. Yeah cordage and UF-B are 2 entirely different types of cable.

Instead of trenching have u thought of doing an overhead feeder?

I haven't really thought about that. I will have to ask the power company.

I have built 2 utility racks for them. Really hoping they go with me on their next truck. I will trade the rack for running power.

Question for ya though the UF-B is rated for direct burial right?

So is there any reason not to use it inside the garage? I was thinking I could just do the temporary bury then reuse it inside the garage. Is that kosher?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I haven't really thought about that. I will have to ask the power company.

I have built 2 utility racks for them. Really hoping they go with me on their next truck. I will trade the rack for running power.

Question for ya though the UF-B is rated for direct burial right?

So is there any reason not to use it inside the garage? I was thinking I could just do the temporary bury then reuse it inside the garage. Is that kosher?

Not quite what I meant. U can do an overhead subfeeder from your main service panel to the garage.

Yes u can use the UF-b inside

 

[Blazinzuk]

Not quite what I meant. U can do an overhead subfeeder from your main service panel to the garage.

Yes u can use the UF-b inside

Oh that yes I have thought of that.

I just thought running it outside it would be best to be in conduit.

I also thought it might be too long of an overhead run wasn't sure how tight you could pull the wire.

 

[Thumper68]

I have 2 cords made up for temporary power on job sites.

One is a 150 ft 10-2 with 4 outlets on the end and the other is a 8-3 for 240 150 feet long, that feeds a sub panel on a cart that has a 240 30 amp outlet a 120 30 amp outlet and 6 120 20 amp outlets, plus one light.

I can't count how many times these have come in handy over the years.

 

[sammons]

Set permanent panel in barn and run 220 via 12 ga cord as other have mentioned. I did the same in my barn, but had to run a generator (450 ft) from house.
If your panel is set, you can always add to answer run perminent power later.
Good luck

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[rburke65]

I bought a coil of #6 SE range cable and food a double duplex outlet for the crew that put my pole barn up 30 years ago. I have used it often.