LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
68K views 410 replies 55 participants last post by  NateMeadows 
#1 ·
Power Poles

Ok, first let me say Thank You! again to all of you Lumber Jocks for your kindness and encouragement! You guys are amazing! I don't know how else to put it, you are truly amazing. You have all touched my life.

So things here are busy. We are preparing to upgrade our electrical service to 400amps. I know there is a deep divide among the "overkill" and "sufficient" camps. Let me just get it out there that I am a believer in always preparing for the future. It is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. That being said. I did allot of homework…allot. There is a ton of power going out here. My wife has her glass shop, I have my woodshop, eventually we will have a metal shop, a lathe studio and a CNC studio (Lord willing:), thats the dream anyway). It is essential that, in the future, Theresa can use any tool or kiln in her shop, I can use any combination of tools in my shop (air compressor, dust collector and any machine) along with my sons also working on any tool or in the metal shop doing their project all while the laundry may be going in the house.

Ok, moving on. Unlike the relatively clean process of building new, working with existing construction presents all kinds of issues. Things are never in the right place:).

We worked with our local power company move two power poles that serve our property. We had to move the primary for several reasons. New codes prohibit overhead lines going over metal roofs; also the old pole is leaning dangerously towards our master bedroom:).

Our Old Pole

The second pole to be moved took some serious negotiation. It is located halfway down the driveway. The power company wanted to keep it there and have this weird zig zag formation that lead the power right through my maple tree. Because the phone company has their lines attached to the pole as well, the power company wanted to charge us $750-$1000 to move it. I contacted the phone company and they said I could just bury the phone line, which would eliminate joint owner ship of the pole. Awesomely, the power company then agreed to move the pole for free.

400amp Power Upgrade 3

400amp Power Upgrade 2

400amp Power Upgrade 1

400amp Power Upgrade

Now the new line is straight and will be away from the driveway.

More to follow….
 
See less See more
5
#2 ·
get it while you can nate

and since the new one is straighter

you will get the power faster too

that should speed things up
quite a bit
it will be ready
before you even know
you need it
 
#3 ·
400 amp service should be good for a while. Glad to see you will have enough juice to keep busy- and not throw the breakers! Can't tell if you were dealing with LMUD or Plumas Sierra Elec. I have Plumas where I live. The regional manager is a wood turner. Nice guy.
 
#7 ·
Nate,

In the immortal words of Tim 'the tool man' Taylor, "you can never have too much Power". :)

Work Safely and have Fun. - Len.
 
#9 ·
Thanks Robert. I am very excited for the 400amps. We did consider 600amps but the cost tripled. We use LMUD. So far they have been really good, but the guy that has been the best and most help is Dale out at DaleCar Electric. He has done so much for me.

Nate
 
#19 ·
Trenching

So this last weekend we had a break in the weather and I was feeling pretty good! I went to our local center and rented a Ditch Witch trencher. I got the ride along model on the advice of my brother-in-law; with my vertigo and dizziness it would not have been wise to use the walk behind model. It cuts a 6in wide by 4ft deep trench.

Getting Ready

The Ditch Witch

4500

I started out at the big barn and where Theresa's glass shop is going to be. It really is an impressive machine!

The First Cut

The Beginning

Cool

Slow But Better

Progress

The machine really saves the back as for digging by hand, but it kills the spine and bladder. I have soil that is riddled with granite rocks. It either cut through them or slowly pulled them to the surface. However, it really bounces and jerks you around. The best way I could show you that, was to get a quick video. Its my first video ever but I think it gets the idea across.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786

Digging

With the new codes, we have to run the power to our Ag Well under ground.

Ag Well

This spot runs power out across the yard so that when we do need it we do not have to have long extension cords running from the house or shop.

New Spot

Finished Line

No did not wet my pants:). My body heat drew all the moisture out of the old seat. My butt was soaked and freezing by the end of the day!

Wet Seat

This run goes to the end of the driveway. This is for two reasons. First and most importantly, the trench has to turn the corner and go to the power pole for the phone line. Second, I will be eventually adding lights to the posts on either side of the gate.

The End

The run to my shop.

To My Shop

The final run. I actually broke two teeth and jammed up the chain halfway through this cut. I thought I was screwed. But thankfully they came right off and I was able to finish cutting. The owner of Rent Guys was totally awesome and even gave me a discount, besause it was such an adventure. More to follow on that:). For my local friends! You cannot go wrong with him!!! The last trench goes to the middle of the front yard ( you can see it in the back ground) to were I will eventually have five flag poles. (The Red, White and Blue-OF COURSE!!!!!, The White and Red Cross Flag, The POW Flag, The Purple Heart Flag, and The Nevada Battle Ground Flag (go Wolf Pack -and Kapernick:) I want to have lights on them so they can fly proudly at night.

Final Run

Final Trench

Flag Trench

More To Follow…..
 
#36 ·
Trenching Adventures!

So I did call USA DIG and had all my lines marked and had the utilities come out. However, being an old house I guess I should have expected some adventures! I have no idea where one of these two lines goes, but I just forgot that the old Ag Well (our third well) was going to have power. But since it is not operating I did not think its power was live. It was!

Power

Then right after that I hit my gas line!!! Part of it was my fault. You are not supposed to operate a trencher within 6 feet of a line. I was lazy. I did not want to chip through the frozen top so I lowered the cutter to 12in and cut the path. The gas line was only 6 INCHES under the surface! The chain wrapped the black iron pipe up like it was a Twizzler.

Not Code, and Lazy

GAS

Thankfully there was no spark or it would have been Iraq all over again with much worse results I think! I jumped off the tractor and scrambled for the shut off, which I had no idea where it was…piss poor planning on my part!

So now I just doubled my work load:). However, we wanted to move the tank anyway so it works out. That, and since the line was only 6in under ground it wasn't to code anyway.

GAS

Then, not three feet later I cut right through the current shop feed.
This on really got to me. What you are looking at is the power line (12gauge romex!) that not only feeds my shop but then goes on to feed the big barn and Theresa's Glass Shop. No wonder we were constantly fighting with each other for power. Also, who puts a line two inches under the surface? So now I am completely reliant on generators until the upgrade is complete.

Shop Power :(

Shop Power Gone!

I have about 100 feet total left to hand dig. Then it is off to laying pipe and line. There are trenches everywhere now:).

The Maze

More to Follow….
 
#53 ·
Hand Trenching

So after returning the Ditch Witch I still had about 100 feet of trench to hand dig. I had some little helpers to assist in cutting through the top 15 inches.

Working

One was a little Angry Bird:).

Lookin for Worms:)

However, after several hours of work we only cut through several inches of the top soil.

After 4 hours

So, I had to go back to plan A.

But when I went back to the rental place the Witch was gone. All they had was the Bobcat. So I had to make do.

Bobcat 2

Bobcat

Unfortunately I did not get any pics of the BC working. I can tell you that I did not like it as much as the Ditch Witch. Surprisingly, it did not have the power the DW had.

Once I returned the Bobcat, I ran over to my friends and borrowed his tractor to drill some post holes.

Post Hole Digger

I used Quikcrete's Post Mix to set my posts.

Concrete

This post is for the "Ranch Style Main" setup coming of the pole.

Main Panel Posts

These two hold the house main!

House Panel Posts 2

House Panel Posts 1

Still even with the Bobcat trenching and John Deer Post Hole Digger, There is plenty of digging.

(Even the surgeon came over to help:)

A day of digging 3

A day of digging 2

A day of digging 1

More to follow…..
 
#66 ·
The Main Panel Setup

I let the post cure of a few days before working on them. I needed to add the the cross members and supports before I could add the backboard. I used the Rockwell Sonicrafter Multi-tool to cut the mortises. I really love the Multi-tooll! The Sonicraft vibrates a bit more than I like but it has plenty of power. I don't recommend the Rockwell blades as they go dull super fast. I find the blades from Imperial Blades (imperialblades.com) to be the best.

Rockwell Sonicrafter 3

Rockwell Sonicrafter 2

Rockwell Sonicrafter 1

Cutting

Mortise Cut 1

Mortise Cut 2

However, nothing beats good old fashioned tools and hard work. I used my coping saw to shape the pole side of the beams.

Coping

Framing

Despite the snow coming in, I was able to get the two back supports in and start working on the back board.

Vertical Support

I used Trex Composite Decking so that I would never have to come back and fix it in my life time; baring an act of God of course. Do things once, Do things right!

Trex

It is nice to have three drills. Once set up with the lags diameter bit, one set up with the counter sink diameter bit, and then the hammer driver drives home the lags!

First Board

Just Two

Trex

The snow shut me down for awhile. I was able to return after a few days.

Almost There

Once I got all the Trex up. I was able to mount the 400 Amp Main Panel and Meter.

400 Amp Panel with Meter

The Bird

Then I mounted the secondary 200 Amp Panel.

Secondary 200 Amp Panel

I should have been more patient though, as I had to move it once I started getting the conduit up.

200 Amp Move

More to follow…
 
#76 ·
Digging and more Digging

Ok, I am so sorry for the delay! Life as always is so crazy. I have been insanely busy; busy taking care of my awesome boys and getting them through the final days of school, busy now doing some volunteer work, busy trying to stay healthy, busy trying to keep my family healthy and of course, busy working away on this vast electrical project. O yeah, and busy doing plumbing, but more on that later.:)

Though there are times I feel like I am drowning, most of the time I am very content. I know I will get it done through diligence and hard work. I am not being lazy or lackadaisical, although, the days I have headaches, suffer from my disability and am stuck in bed or the couch, I feel very lazy!!!

So where did I leave off…O yes, I just mounted the main panel. I then decided to dig out a full square in front of the panel because there were so many drops coming out plus the four inch conduit for the service coming in. I needed the space to lay out all the lines. I also had to dig out the trench leading behind the panel to the generator pad.

Utility In

Generator Location

IMG_2498

I placed a bag over the end to keep the dirt from filling the conduit until I could finish running it up the power pole.

Utility Side

Once the dirt was removed from in front of the panels, I was free to start laying wire. (I did have to go back and dig out a few spots of trench that had caved in or that were not deep enough. My first run was a line of 10/3 to the end of the driveway to feed power to lights and a gate opener.

The End

(I know they make solar lights and solar/battery operated gate openers. However, the solar lights tend to die out by two or three in the morning, and I hate that! And as for the gate, I plan on creating a custom gate that will weight a ton, so it needs to have a commercial gate opener.) The second run was a line of 10/2 that ran to the flag pole in the middle of the yard. That line will power lights for the flags so they can fly at night. (In the picture, the smaller conduit is not plumb yet)

Flag Trench

Panels

I had my little helpers of course too. :)

Kid in the Middle

The next line to be laid was to my shop.

To My Shop

However before I could run the cable, I had to build this "foundation" to run the conduit up the wall on. I had 1 inch solid foam board covered by 3/4 inch PSB. I used PSB because I am going to build a box around the conduit. That way is it protected, it helps provide a better seal to the building as well as remove the eye sore of the conduit.

Shop Connection 3

I also had to hand dig the rest of the trench up to the edge of the shop using a shovel and bucket. Since there was no place to put the dirt, I had to carry each bucket out and away from the entrance of the shop.

Shop Connection 2

Shop Connection 1

I had to dig enough out to allow for four lines; the Utility In, th Generator In, the Generator Control In as well as the ground rod installation.

Shop Wall

The ground rod will go off to the right and be buried 9 feet into the earth with head of the rod a foot below the grade.

Ground Rod Placement

So much more to follow:)...
 
#90 ·
And Yet More...

Yep, even more hand digging. Seems like even though I investing in trenchers I still have to work:). No, really, I don't mind. Digging is good exercise and mind therapy. At least most of this digging is easy. The dirt is already work those by the trenchers. Because of the time frame, the trenches just kept filling in. (Dogs, boys, wind, rain and gravity)

I did have to dig some trenches that the trenchers just couldn't get. However, I was running out of room to put all the dirt so I had to use the wheel barrow to truck it out and away.

Wheel Barrow

More Trenches

Wheel Barrow 2

I also had to dig out around the exterior house panel as there were so many lines that exit from it. In the process,I found the existing power line to the house well. Thankfully I did not cut into it. Not only would that have hurt, but it would have made my lovely wife very angry! :)

The Existing Power

And still all that dirt had to be moved out and away!

More Dirt

So, once I finished that, the next line to go in was the Generator Control Wire to the Exterior House Panel.

I first tried just staking in the panel, but that set up was to weak. It also had to small of conduit.
Generator Panel

I upgrade the conduit to 2.5in and built a temporary support. I then fed the 18 gauge wire into the small junction box that sits below the Generator Panel.

Generator Control Wire

Next came the House Utility Wire. I used 4/0 Aluminum. It is heavy stuff but good for 200 Amps.

Lots of Trenches 2

Main Feed

I used two LBs to go up and over the top to the panel using Schedule 80 conduit. I choose to do it this way because the panel is going to be so crowded and the 4/0 wire is so large. I have not yet secured the conduit to the posts yet, but that is coming.

LB Over the Top

4 Foot Down

So,on to the next phase. Before I could run anymore wire, I had to run a water line across the electrical trench. The water line had to go down first as the water rests at four feet and the wire at three feet. I dug out the electrical trench just beyond the water crossing.

Lots of Trenches 1

Hand Finished

Then I hand dug the water line from the house well.

Water Trench 1

Water Trench 2

I then put in to four foot bury frost free faucets.

Water and Electric In

Water and Electric In 2

The Dog Run Water

More to follow….
 
#101 ·
First More Water

Since I was on water, I decided to stick with it and just finish that phase. I had another section where another electrical line was going to cross a water line and I figured there was no time like the present.

I hit my Ag Well line with the trencher preparing for this new line, so I had to dig down to and around the broken section.

Where I Hit the Line

The Junction

Then I had about 60 feet of trench that I had to dig by hand, which much of kept caving in, and another 40 that the trencher had made that I had to cleanup.

Again, Water First

Another View

Sandy

The trench was 4 feet deep and I laid in 2in PVC for the water line. I then added three frost free faucets along the side of the barn.

4 feet deep

Ag Line

1st Faucet

Where Water and Electricity

I then moved right next to the Ag Well itself and put in the final faucet.

Another Ag Well Hydrant

Faucet

With all the faucets in place, the last plumbing up grade that needed to be down was to change the house feed line. When I was digging the electrical trench to the house well I found the house water line. It was using old polybutylene pipe. That stuff is terrible. I decided to upgrade to 1in PVC. I had to dig a new trench for the water line and again I had to use the bucket and shovel.

Again the Bucket

The trench to the house was interrupted by a concrete sidewalk, so I had to use a dirt drill to make a hole for the pipe.

Dirt Drill 4

Dirt Drill 3

Dirt Drill 2

Dirt Drill

Once the hole was cut all the way through, squeezed a complete section of pipe in. It was nice to not have an un-need joint.

One Piece

While I was working in the well, the temporary stick that was holding the lid broke and the lid came down on me, trapping me in the well. Thankfully, my oldest son and myself were able to get the lid up enough so I could climb out. I decided that was an experience I never wanted to have again, so I took a rabbit trail and built these quick stands. I added small brackets at the feet with eye-bolts to keep the wind from coming and ripping it the other way, which has also happened. I secured the eye-bolts with framing wire so I would not lose them.

Time

Wind Lock.

The New Water Line

So, with that done and the house plumbing line switched out, you would think alls well right? WRONG! We live in a early 60s mobile with galvanized pipes. The iron in our water has been interacting with the galvanized pipes since the water was introduced. The added flow of the one inch PVC knocked a bunch of the built up lose and clogged every single fixture in our house: sinks, toilets and showers. I tried back flushing them but to no avail.

So I spent the next two days re-plumbing our whole house using pex pipe. I was working so feverishly that I did not get photos. I had to were a respirator under the house as there was so much unpleasantness. I cut out all the old galvanized and replaced it with pex. Now we have great water pressure.

When I looked at what I was cutting out, I was pretty unhappy. I couldn't believe we were living with it. There were sections that were only letting a toothpick size hole of water through. Most frustrating is that three years ago, before we bought the place we had a plumber come out and fix a few leaks. He said the whole thing should be replaced. Our real estate agent, wanted a second opinion, stupidly we agreed. The next guy was like, " No I can make it work." Even more stupidly is I didn't ask to see the damage. Here is a picture of his repair onto our old pipe.

Unbelievable!!!

And the inside!

Bad Corrosion

Here is the rest!

The Nightmare Continued

The Plumping Nightmare

No that I am done with that, I can get back to the electrical:). I am glad it happened while I am already working on everything. As you can see, it was going to happen sooner or later! But after two 18 hour work days, I had the worst headache and I slept for almost 24 hours.

More to follow….
 
#102 ·
Seems like one thing always leads to another. But, in this case, it probably was a blessing in disguise. I imagine the water purity will now be healthier for you and your family.
 
#110 ·
Bob, Thanks! I also agree. While my wife was really pissed at first that I wanted to replace the line to the house because I already had trenches everywhere, once she saw the old pipes she was happy I did it. Plus now our shower rocks:).

Nate
 
#119 ·
The Adventure Continues

So, as time continues to pass, the trenches continue to fill in; again, because of boys, dogs, rain and gravity. So I recently made a friend who offered to bring his backhoe over and help out!

The Backhoe

I Want One

Keep it Up, Awesome!

I love the 16in wide bucket making the large trenches. Now I have room to work!

The Wide Trench

The whole line to from the house to the barn had to be dug out again. It would have taken me so long to do with just a shovel.

To The Barn/Glass Shop

There was no where to put the dirt so he had to put the dirt in the doorway of the barn. I had to hand dig it out and away from where the panel goes but it was still a small thing for having the backhoe dig the whole line.

Still had to Hand Dig

The Feed In.

In the Light

I am putting a separate 100 amps into the barn to run Theresa's glass shop as well as some of my large equipment. It will be so nice to not have to fight each other for power.

The Glass Shop/Barn Panel

Need Adjustment

This line I had to hand dig. It will carry power to a lamp post as well as an air line from the room you see in the background, the one with the arch, to the big barn. That room is going to be the dust collection and air compressor room.

To Air and Dust

It used to be a animal washing station I think; I assume that is what the drain was for. The inside is concrete with hitching rings; I built new walls and ran preliminary wire. I have allot of work to left to do:).

Air Out

This is the air compressor room. Air compressor motors are renown for starting wood shop fires. So I designed this room. It will be completely covered in slate, floor and walls; no sparks will It will also be completely insulated so I don't have to hear it when I am in the shop! The rest of the space will house a Laguna Central Cyclone Dust Collector!

The Compressor Room

This is the same trench but heading out. The one that heads out to the right heads to a lamp post. There will be three on the way out to the barn. This will give Theresa a safe way to return to the house in the evening. They will also give light when we have evening parties.

Air and Light

More to follow….
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top