Re: Solar Power to provide 220 to barn for welding, etc.

I would put, at the least, the following:

0) power
1) Ethernet
2) Coax (TV)
3) phone
4) compressed air line

i

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 11:41:02 -0400, Steve Smith <sos@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I definitely second Roy's comment of adding stuff now, while the trench
is open, even if you never think you'll need it.

Steve
who hand trenched between the house and the barn--twice--because the
first time he didn't know how much fun and how useful electric welders were.

RoyJ wrote:

The parts for a 60 amp sub panel run about $100 and $1.50 to $2 a foot
for 6/3wg USE copper. 100 amp panel isn't much more, #2 Copper USE is
outta sight price wise lately. In many jurisdictions you can do your
own wiring, just need to have it inspected.

The big deal is trenching. Hand digging is a PAIN, a 4" trencher goes
down up to 30" or so, can be rented for around $100 for 4 hours. You
need to get any water or gas pipes marked, hand dig those at your
liesure, then do the main trench in one sitting. Your inspector will
tell you how deep they want it.

If you are going to all the trouble of a trench, toss in an extra
piece of 1/2" or 3/4" ABS water pipe. Really cheap, you can use it to
run phone line, CATV, ethernet, whatever. As far as that goes, it
isn't an all bad idea to run the wire in conduit. Makes repairs or
upgrades Soooooooo much eaiser.

Rick Barter wrote:

Gunner wrote:
<snipped>

The cheap way of course is to put in a 22 vt 60-100 amp subpanel and
run 220 out to the barn..or pick up a gas powered welder.

Unless you win the Power Ball...the last two may be your best
options....



Thanks for the info everyone. Gunner, you mention the 'cheap way' is
to put 100-amp sub-panel. That's what I'm in the process of trying
to do and when I got hit with the estimate of $1200 to go 150' I
almost shit myself. Then I just started thinking of alternatives.

I thought of buying a Miller Bobcat or something similar, but it
seemed if I was going to spend $4000 or more on a welder, I should
just spend the $1200 on getting the sub-panel installed and then buy
a Lincoln Tombstone or something. I figured it was worth asking
about solar.

In any event, I'm thinking of trenching the whole thing myself and
finding out what size wires and what conduit I need. Getting it
ready and then just calling an electrician to hook it up. Problem is
I don't know how deep to go and I have gas and some water lines in
the way.

I guess I could just call up digsafe and get them to mark the
locations of the pipes, dig around them by hand and trench the rest.
My father-in-law rents equipment so I can rent the trencher pretty
cheap. ;)

Anyone have any advice on how sound my plan is here? I've been
learning Oxy/Acetylene welding and am doing pretty good with that,
but I really need to be able to arc weld and run an air compressor
out in the barn. I'm looking to get the electrical upgraded, setup a
chimney for my coal forge, and build my workbenches and tool racks
before winter.

Thanks,

rvb


.

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