Need more power in 2 car garage

[magrahamkp08]

I am going to be consolidating from a 5,000 SQFT garage with unlimited power to a small 2 car garage with less than minimal power. I figure before i call an electrician, id get a few other opinions on the matter.
I really only have 2 big items to run.
An 220v 80 gal quincy Air compressor (cant remember the HP)
and an old 3 phase southbend lathe (easy enough to run off a VFD)

There are a few outlets in the garage currently but thats about it. Ideally 100amp 3phase and a separate meter would be the way to go. But i dont really want to rip out the drywall thats in there to put new wiring in.

Surely im not the first person to want to add more power to their garage, what have other folks done

 

[walrus]

If it's in a residential setting I doubt you will get 3 phase. At least you wouldn't get it around me. You could surface mount all electrical do no trashing dry wall.

 

[mike93lx]

what is "less than minimal power"?

why is 100a service ideal for you? based on the machines that you mentioned, you wouldn't need anywhere near 100a service, and 3 phase service would be serious overkill for a single machine.

Beyond dedicated circuits for the large machines, I would put some extra outlets in and start simple. In a small garage, a 50' 12 gauge extension cord can cover the entire place, so I never thought it was worth running outlets all over the place.

 

[magrahamkp08]

the supply to the garage is run off a 20a breaker from the house. That currently runs a handful of outlets and 2 garage door openers. It frequently trips if i have the tv, space heater, one power tool on and then try and open one of the garage doors.

I figured i could run everything i needed off 100a. Obviously i wouldnt be running every piece of machinery/tool i have at once, but i would need enough to run at least the air compressor a welder, and whatever misc stuff that is plugged in at one time.

Currently i dont even think the house itself could handle wiring the air compressor into it. If i end up doing something to the power situation in the garage, i want to maximize the possibilities.

 

[magrahamkp08]

If it's in a residential setting I doubt you will get 3 phase. At least you wouldn't get it around me. You could surface mount all electrical do no trashing dry wall.

I didnt realize you couldnt get it residential areas. My current place, is located in a mix of residential and commercial.
Surface mounting is probably the way to go. that would let me leave the existing stuff alone.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is the garage attached or detached?

 

[Norcal]

If the garage is attached, some PoCo's will not allow a 2nd meter on a residential structure, 3 phase may or may not be available in a residential area.


Edit: check w/ your PoCo to see what will do or allow, inspector may pass it but they have the final say.

 

[magrahamkp08]

detached garage

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Since its detached, your only option is to run a feeder to the garage and install a subpanel.

The existing feed will need to be abandoned.

How long is the run to the garage?

U might be able to get a separate meter on the garage but keep in mind that many PoCos will charge u a monthly minimum just to have the meter?

 

[magrahamkp08]

The run from the house panel to the garage subpanel is about 100'

I figured that there would be a monthly minimum, i expect that i would use the garage enough to compensate for it

 

[pattenp]

What size service does the house have and is the main service panel filled? You sound like you don't think the house service can support a larger feed to the garage.

 

[magrahamkp08]

I'm pretty sure it's only 100amp
It's not in front of me at the moment to confirm


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