80 Acres- Eagle Creek, Oregon

[ultrarunner]

Some houses around here have underground service, some overhead. When the cable company finally arrived in the area, the people with overhead service were connected free. Those with underground service had to pay a huge per-foot fee to be connected.

Bruce

Exactly what I faced in outside Olympia... neighbors got cable for free and they wanted 14k to run cable to me and we are both about the same distance from the pole... only they have poles and I don't.

and this is why no cable at my place.

 

[dave1949]

Three phase power is for heavy duty commercial-type stuff. If the cost difference is low (compared to standard single phase) it would be there if you ever needed it. Maybe you would run across a good deal someday on used commercial/industrial equipment that requires three phase, for example.

Here is an air compressor example that runs on three phase:
FREE SHIPPING — Campbell Hausfeld Fully Packaged Air Compressor — 7.5 HP, 24.3 CFM @ 175 PSI, 208-230/460 Volt Three Phase, Model# CE7006FP | 20 - 29 CFM Air Compressors| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[SPIKER]

What do you plan on using the place for later, just a HOME or going to put in some commercial type equipment for welding wood working or grand public race track??? If not doing any of that then single phase is fine.

Rent a BIG trencher and put in the conduit yourself, with the pull boxes at equal distance and in a straight as line as you can. Even if you have to cut thru some switch backs and trench DOWN HILL in steep spots it is better than having to put in a LOT MORE pull boxes and bends. Conduit and Cable is getting expensive as raw materials are up still... Under ground is best way tho as fire, flood, storms etc will not interrupt the wires... Once done keep trail marked where it is at & keep trees from growing up on it as those roots can wrap up and pull it out if tips over.

The underground cable is HIGH VOLTAGE too and as such will require special marking tape to keep people from digging it up later. Use RED (or Yellow) High Voltage Tape (or if local codes require something different ask power company) 1 foot under surface and 1 foot above the conduit. Mark all locations ahead of time for the pull boxes too! that way you can plan out best rout thru/to the transformer pad.

Use SWEEPS for any 90 degrees and ONLY use 3 per run into each pull box at most 45 degrees are better or heat and bend to the desired offset. MAX of 360 degrees worth of bends that includes the 3 to 5 degree bends that are natural when the conduit bends around underground. that is why only use 3 90's in a 300 foot pull they said they can pull 700 feet? if so only use 2ea 90 degree sweeps one for each pull box coming up. OR some are made to mount deep under ground but require above ground access. See what the power company recommends they may prefer something specific for their equipment.

Mark

 

[zing]

Three phase is also used for larger welders. You up-sized your machinery because of the large scale of the landscaping you had to do, you should also consider the size of the equipment you plan to put in your shop before you decide on what power to run.

Miller - MIG Welders - Three-Phase

Advanced Process Welders | Lincoln Electric

 

[GLyford]

You can often get deals on machinist tools like milling machines, drill presses, and lathes that run on 3-phase because the other hobbyists can't run them, or would have to swap out a motor. Pumps and air compressors, too.

 

[NWOutlawMX]

Exactly what I faced in outside Olympia... neighbors got cable for free and they wanted 14k to run cable to me and we are both about the same distance from the pole... only they have poles and I don't.

and this is why no cable at my place.

Three phase power is for heavy duty commercial-type stuff. If the cost difference is low (compared to standard single phase) it would be there if you ever needed it. Maybe you would run across a good deal someday on used commercial/industrial equipment that requires three phase, for example.


Here is an air compressor example that runs on three phase:
FREE SHIPPING — Campbell Hausfeld Fully Packaged Air Compressor — 7.5 HP, 24.3 CFM @ 175 PSI, 208-230/460 Volt Three Phase, Model# CE7006FP | 20 - 29 CFM Air Compressors| Northern Tool + Equipment

I've decided to put in 3 phase and run extra conduit for future use. Seems like when you do extra stuff you don't end up needing it but if you think you won't need it, then you end up needing it later. Better safe then sorry.

 

[NWOutlawMX]

What do you plan on using the place for later, just a HOME or going to put in some commercial type equipment for welding wood working or grand public race track??? If not doing any of that then single phase is fine.

Rent a BIG trencher and put in the conduit yourself, with the pull boxes at equal distance and in a straight as line as you can. Even if you have to cut thru some switch backs and trench DOWN HILL in steep spots it is better than having to put in a LOT MORE pull boxes and bends. Conduit and Cable is getting expensive as raw materials are up still... Under ground is best way tho as fire, flood, storms etc will not interrupt the wires... Once done keep trail marked where it is at & keep trees from growing up on it as those roots can wrap up and pull it out if tips over.

The underground cable is HIGH VOLTAGE too and as such will require special marking tape to keep people from digging it up later. Use RED (or Yellow) High Voltage Tape (or if local codes require something different ask power company) 1 foot under surface and 1 foot above the conduit. Mark all locations ahead of time for the pull boxes too! that way you can plan out best rout thru/to the transformer pad.

Use SWEEPS for any 90 degrees and ONLY use 3 per run into each pull box at most 45 degrees are better or heat and bend to the desired offset. MAX of 360 degrees worth of bends that includes the 3 to 5 degree bends that are natural when the conduit bends around underground. that is why only use 3 90's in a 300 foot pull they said they can pull 700 feet? if so only use 2ea 90 degree sweeps one for each pull box coming up. OR some are made to mount deep under ground but require above ground access. See what the power company recommends they may prefer something specific for their equipment.

Mark

When I had the guy out from PGE (portland general electric) he was explaining some of the things you describe and it got to be confusing. If I had more time to investigate everything I'd probably do it myself but I'm going to have to head back to work next week and will be gone for a few months. By the time I get back it will be the rainy season and without gravel on the driveway it will be unusable. I'm trying to get the power back there now because there will be 2-3 day windows in the weather that it will dry out enough to put gravel down.

I'm amazed of the lack of interest the company's that I have contacted that were PGE certified have exhibited in giving me an estimate. Took 4 business days for one guy to even call me back and the other business, which appears to be quite large by their website, keeps telling me "we'll be there tomorrow" and they never show. That company has directional drilling capabilities. One of the things PGE stated is it has to be next to the driveway so they have easy access, so tree roots shouldn't be an issue but it's going to add quite a bit to the price.

 

[SPIKER]

I've decided to put in 3 phase and run extra conduit for future use. Seems like when you do extra stuff you don't end up needing it but if you think you won't need it, then you end up needing it later. Better safe then sorry.

When you talked to them did you ask them the cost difference or if there is a MIN use clause as in most cases there is to get 3 phase. It does add costs to both INSTALL BILL and to the MONTHLY BILL for rest of the time you are hooked to it. THEN there is the costs to install 3 phase main power boxes as those are a good bit more than residential single phase equipment on home construction costs.

Since you said yes to it be aware of the above.

Mark

 

[MacLawn]

Oh me, ye done got me sidetracked on ye '41 truck! Now, I need one of those.

 

[NWOutlawMX]

When you talked to them did you ask them the cost difference or if there is a MIN use clause as in most cases there is to get 3 phase. It does add costs to both INSTALL BILL and to the MONTHLY BILL for rest of the time you are hooked to it. THEN there is the costs to install 3 phase main power boxes as those are a good bit more than residential single phase equipment on home construction costs.

Since you said yes to it be aware of the above.

Mark

I actually had decided in my mind. I've tried to get ahold of the project manager of PGE by phone and e-mail bringing up these points but have yet to hear back from him. Originally all I got from him was "a little bit" and "not much more." The PGE guy directed me towards a contractor that doesn't have a website and takes a week to call me back. I found another certified contractor and they came out and took a look and he confirmed what you said "a lot more" so it will be just single phase. I'm starting to get extremely upset, It's been a month since I've tried to get this going and have made little progress. I wanted to get it done before it started raining and now I'm in the middle of the Bering Sea so it makes it that much harder (satellite phone and internet).

Enough rant, thanks for the heads up.

Rick