Subsoiler and burying electric wires

[MikeInEburg]

You definitely want direct burial cable, NOT Romex. Mechanical protection is always good. Be sure to use heavy enough wire to avoid unacceptable voltage drop - 900' is a LONG run!
Mike

 

[jenkinsph]

Have you considered using a solar panel at the gate controller? Much easier and cheaper fix for the problem. Two of the gell batteries and a small solar panel would cost less than the uf wire needed for this. The voltage drop for a wire run of 900 ft. would be too much.

Romax or properly called romex is not rated for burial.

 

[kspeters]

You would need "nm" wire for direct burial and that would get a little spendy.

 

[MikeInEburg]

You would need "nm" wire for direct burial and that would get a little spendy.

Actually, you need "UF" for underground. "nm" is non-metallic - same as wire commonly called Romex.
Mike

 

[jenkinsph]

I should also add that most new gate operators are setup for a solar panel and at least Mule has a matching solar panel for their systems, about $129.95 as I recall. I build wrought iron gates and have installed several of these electric operators with solar power.


Here is a useful article with a built in calculator you can use to determine the wire size needed. If your run is 900 ft then the total loop is 1800 ft.
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

 

[MNBobcat]

Have you considered using a solar panel at the gate controller? Much easier and cheaper fix for the problem. Two of the gell batteries and a small solar panel would cost less than the uf wire needed for this. The voltage drop for a wire run of 900 ft. would be too much.

Romax or properly called romex is not rated for burial.

I called Mule earlier today. They said that the wireless for the pedestal where you can buss the house, is only good for 500 feet. Since I would have to hard wire the pedestal due to the distance, I may as well bury the power at the same time.

I have to do some more looking to see if perhaps another manufacturer has the solar gates and a wireless option that has a better range.

Thanks for all of the great ideas everyone.

 

[MNBobcat]

Actually, you need "UF" for underground. "nm" is non-metallic - same as wire commonly called Romex.
Mike

Thanks. I knew I needed "UF" but thought that was still a form of romex (except rated for direct burial). I didn't know romex was a name that applied only to the indoor wiring. You learn something new every day!

 

[jenkinsph]

Some of the ranches around here have their gates connected to cell phones so that pushing the button on the pedastle "calls the house or whatever number is programmed in it. This enables the visitor to converse with the homeowner too. The homeowner can then enter a 4 digit code and open the gate for you. In the West out here some of the gates are miles from the house.

 

[gabby]

Just weld a ring to the back of your subsoiler foot, tie a 3-foot piece of rope to the ring, tie your UF wire to the other end of the rope, and plow away. I've done it many times. You will have to make a dry pass or two to loosen up the ground if you're using a small tractor.

You will be amazed how little drag actually develops along the wire. It makes its own little tunnel through the dirt and on runs of a few hundred feet you can often pull it by hand through the dirt after you untie it.

Same method works well with PVC pipe.

 

[kspeters]

Actually, you need "UF" for underground. "nm" is non-metallic - same as wire commonly called Romex.
Mike

Yes, you are correct,,, i had a brain fart for a moment :laughing: