Need best plan for TEMPORARY electrical solution - under 10 amps low voltage
- Thread starter Sam_i_am
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bwringer
Well-known member
Low voltage (12V) landscape lighting has been run underground for decades. The wire is all direct bury rated.
I suppose getting it into well-frozen ground would be a bit of a challenge, but it doesn't have to go very deep. You could get there with strong arms and a sharp spade.
I guess you know all that, so the question would be what you are planning?
If you're looking to light the borders of your driveway, there are also some pretty darn good solar-powered LED motion detecting lights out there. Also a lot of terrible cheapies.
If you want it to be temporary, then you could bury the wire and then unhook the light(s) in the spring. Or install something you wouldn't mind seeing year-round.
I suppose getting it into well-frozen ground would be a bit of a challenge, but it doesn't have to go very deep. You could get there with strong arms and a sharp spade.
I guess you know all that, so the question would be what you are planning?
If you're looking to light the borders of your driveway, there are also some pretty darn good solar-powered LED motion detecting lights out there. Also a lot of terrible cheapies.
If you want it to be temporary, then you could bury the wire and then unhook the light(s) in the spring. Or install something you wouldn't mind seeing year-round.
It was foolish of me to imply "low voltage"! Low consumption would have been a better term. This would be a 110v application. I use 250ft of extension cord to power the security light and maybe the occasional use of a tiny air compressor. Code violation, sure but really, I unplug the cord during daylight hours. So yep, the cord is plugged in to an attached garage elec. outlet.
bwringer
Well-known member
Well, you can power security lights and small air compressors with 12VDC... this is how landscape lighting systems work.
Not sure whether you could get 250 feet without a lot of voltage drop, though.
It would cost a fair bit, perhaps more than a nice automatic solar light and a rechargeable air pump...
Not sure whether you could get 250 feet without a lot of voltage drop, though.
It would cost a fair bit, perhaps more than a nice automatic solar light and a rechargeable air pump...
I guess I'm still confused....
Your are power long s light and compressor 250ft away daily? Is this a shed?
How does this relate to the plow guy?
I'd stick with the extension cord for now. If you want it off the ground, can you run a rope between points and tie the cord to it?
Your are power long s light and compressor 250ft away daily? Is this a shed?
How does this relate to the plow guy?
I'd stick with the extension cord for now. If you want it off the ground, can you run a rope between points and tie the cord to it?
Zeke
Well-known member
250 feet of 16 ga cord is still not cheap. Voltage drop to a light is not a concern if using incandescent. The air compressor in cold weather, not so much. You'd have to have at least 12 ga if not 10. That's hundreds of dollars and non of this is safe.
Do the solar and battery thing.
Do the solar and battery thing.
kbuhagiar
Well-known member
What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
The box stores will be blowing out the green outdoor cords in the next day.
If you want 12, Amazon has had some good prices on southco 100' cords. I faced a similar issue in the fall (relocated my tractor/plow shed). I ended up with a new outdoor in use plug on the garage and a 100' cord as I couldn't get it underground in time. Just strung the cord out to run the block heater so I can plow later.
Also, sounds like OP already has the cord.
I see this is starting to get confusing, as usual .... must be the way I write. Can you imagine my drawing a picture? Planning on executing a complete shop power gig this summer as discussed in previous thread.
This is the **** that happens when you buy a 125 year old farmette with driveways going in all directions, countless ex-building sites and cobbled pre-historic wiring through out.
The modern built shop is about 180 to 200ft away from the house, house has an attached garage with an electrical outlet. During summer months (by means of orange extension cord) I power the light, compressor, small power tools and what ever else there is in there and never had a problem. So let's just forget everything mentioned with exception to the security light. I want that light on! THE CORD - I'm overhead in places and above ground in other places. The cord is run at least 10 to 20ft away from driveway leading to the shop and I'll be a sob if he didn't plow 35 or 40ft off that driveway and either ripped the cord in half, cut it or whatever ...... I'm telling ya, you can't make this stuff up -
This is the **** that happens when you buy a 125 year old farmette with driveways going in all directions, countless ex-building sites and cobbled pre-historic wiring through out.
The modern built shop is about 180 to 200ft away from the house, house has an attached garage with an electrical outlet. During summer months (by means of orange extension cord) I power the light, compressor, small power tools and what ever else there is in there and never had a problem. So let's just forget everything mentioned with exception to the security light. I want that light on! THE CORD - I'm overhead in places and above ground in other places. The cord is run at least 10 to 20ft away from driveway leading to the shop and I'll be a sob if he didn't plow 35 or 40ft off that driveway and either ripped the cord in half, cut it or whatever ...... I'm telling ya, you can't make this stuff up -
Shiftless
Well-known member
A neighbor of mine lived for decades with an extension cord wrapped around a steel cable strung on poles between his house and shed. (But it was a lot less than 200 feet)
Do they make a plow-proof extension cord. Oh it gets better .... the branch in the walnut tree is flexing from stress!
Yep perfect, better go buy 100 dollars more green cord to power the light and that way next winter I can power my neighbors shack!
Yep perfect, better go buy 100 dollars more green cord to power the light and that way next winter I can power my neighbors shack!
Please execpt my apologies for being a smart arss and the rant ...... my plow guy (and his apprentices) are good people, I know them well ...... I was just trying to make point with over-exaggerations. They came out early this year to view the property in detail and establish plowing boundaries (they pointed out the cord laying in the yard). I wouldn't trade what they do for anything, and we have since joked about this!!!!! Another 100 footer should do the trick.
Thank you to those whom contributed!
Note: for those who may be unaware, this site doubles as mental therapy. THANKS AGAIN
Thank you to those whom contributed!
Note: for those who may be unaware, this site doubles as mental therapy. THANKS AGAIN
Roger that PCustoms
Zeke
Well-known member
Just what I want, to be sitting on a plow (or worse, walking behind it) while it's energized with 120v. I can't even fathom the lawsuit.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
How about snow stakes marking its location?
acer66
Well-known member
Call 811 and have em mark it.
j/k
Stakes sounds like a good solution.
j/k
Stakes sounds like a good solution.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
That's what I do to mark my baby trees and septic tank so I'm not the dummy that runs into or over them with my snow plow. But, I do it in early November before the ground freezes. After the last three days of a high temp below 0°, it gonna be tough, depending on location. Maybe some 1/2" pipe with reflective tape on the end and a sledge hammer.
Get some of these next fall.
if I am understanding this all correctly, the easy thing would be to drive stakes at the crossing, have a plug at one side that you can easily disconnect and hang it on the opposite stake when plowing, reconnect it when done . 
Then don't plow random spots in the private yard....
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
"low voltage" typically implies LESS THAN 50V !
Meh, 600v and less can be considered low voltage.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Not all agree. Some say 1000V
https://www.electricalengineering.x...-medium-vs-high-vs-ehv-vs-uhv-voltage-ranges/
The only spot this cord crosses the driveway is a 20 foot span that is no less than 15 ft overhead. From this location is a 75 foot length of cord running no less than 15 feet away from the drive, laying on the ground. That said, there should be no reason to mark its path. If the man doesn't want to get shocked, stay out of the middle of the yard. Pushing snow 5 or 10ft to the side of any road or driveway is normal, but 35 feet is not normal.
They would make me pick it up
..... says it all
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Really??? You expect a guy to remember were the drive/people leave stuff on multiple different places?
I would undoubtedly plow over my own extension cord if it was in my driveway, let alone someone elses.
Its a code violation for reasons like that. Do it right, put it up everytime, or mark things with poles.
Yes, I do expect them to remember stuff like that, especially considering they plowed for the previous owner. It was on his own recognizance they stopped by in Oct. to ascertain. My plow guy is great guy, I'm not diggin it when reading this post makes him the victim - nope
Zeke
Well-known member
You can't count on people to use good judgement. Especially when you're using bad judgement.
Chance
Well-known member
Plow guys are often up for 24 hours or more when it snows heavy. Don't expect him to remember where your driveway is.
I agree 100% with folks that say to use snow stakes. Fiberglass, orange, cost less than $10 for a dozen last time I bought them.
Ground is frozen now, so take out some old rusted drill bit and drill into the ground so you don't break them trying to get them
in the ground when its frozen.
No matter what you expect, the reality is that plow drivers are tired an in a hurry. If you don't want mistakes, you have to help them.
I mark the corners of my driveway and about every 20 feet. Never had a problem after I started doing that. (Lots of torn up grass
at the side before that.
I agree 100% with folks that say to use snow stakes. Fiberglass, orange, cost less than $10 for a dozen last time I bought them.
Ground is frozen now, so take out some old rusted drill bit and drill into the ground so you don't break them trying to get them
in the ground when its frozen.
No matter what you expect, the reality is that plow drivers are tired an in a hurry. If you don't want mistakes, you have to help them.
I mark the corners of my driveway and about every 20 feet. Never had a problem after I started doing that. (Lots of torn up grass
at the side before that.
Been here for 4 winters and many other properties over the years and never had anyone plow 35 feet straight over the edge of an elevated 12ft wide driveway. Your opinion on the matter is very much appreciated. I couldn't agree more, good judgement is certainly a thing of the past.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Try x12 that voltage.... 600v is medium voltage
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
600 has never been classified as medium voltage.
The NEC has numerous articles that reference 600v and below.
Again, from Electrical Engineers perspective>
"Voltages higher than 1 kV but lower than 100 kV are classified as medium level voltages. Electrical distribution and secondary transmission are usually done within MV range of voltages."
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Going by that, high voltage will reach out & touch you if you get too close. For residential voltage levels, I prefer 50V & below as low voltage, and anything else as line voltage, it's a clear distinction to me.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
That works for me...but>
From the International Electromechanical Commission
"Extra low voltage (ELV) means voltage of 50V or less (AC RMS), or 120V or less (ripple-free DC)."
Apparently there is no consensus among engineers on the subject
BTW, Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) to all of you
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