Voltage Drop for 750 feet advice needed

[EddieWalker]

I'm in the planning stages of running electricity from my meter to my deer blind. Then from the deer blind, I'll want to run it to a building that I plan on building in a year or so. I'm still clearing trees for the building, but guess it will be 200 to 300 feet away from the deer blind. I'll want 200 amps for the building, when it's done. I'll also have natural gas at the building, so the electricity will be mostly used for the AC and lighting. No laundry or heating. The deer blind is going to have the bottom part converted into a bathroom so I can have outdoor weddings at my gazebo on my pond. I only need 20 amps there, but there it doesn't make any sense to go with a small line for now and then add a bigger line later on.

I did a quick search on load calculators and came up with 600 aluminum, which will give me a 3% drop over the 750 foot distance. Do I need to calculate the distance for the building at another 300 feet? Seems like I should since that's where it will be needed the most.

If this is accurate, then do I need two 600 aluminum lines for my hot lines? what would I use for my neutral line?

I have a 1,200 amp meter and so far I'm only using 600 amps on three breakers.

I really don't want to go above ground and I'm trying real hard to avoid another meter.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[BWSSR]

wow, I want to hunt your stand!.....you can put an above ground splice box were you intend to have the power/breaker box for the new shop, then splice the proper size wire for the 300 foot run to the stand....still a long *** way!...over head to the shop may be cheaper....don't forget the derateing in conduit.

 

[buickanddeere]

How deep are your pockets?
In some instances it pays to find a pair of used 240/600V 50KVA transformers and reduce the cable size.
As previously stated. Going to the building site first and back to the tree stand with #6 copper maybe a consideration .

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree with B&D, check out the price of smaller wire and a transformer vs super large conductors. It may or may not be cheaper. Looking for a used transformer could make the price break substantial also.

 

[techman]

You state 600. Is that 600 MCM ?
The next question is what do you plan to run at the end. 3% at 200 amps is a lot of power. Typical in a sub for an outbuilding is a 100 amp feed. Even something like a welder will use only a small percentage of the 200 amps. I think you can save a chunk of cash by not over rating your real needs. You can still use a large 200 amp panel, but the wire is defined by the breaker you will use to feed the panel.

Paul

 

[mbohuntr]

Yup! your gonna need a transformer..... :2cents:

 

[CobyRupert]

You say: "I have a 1,200 amp meter and so far I'm only using 600 amps on three breakers." Not that this has anything to do with voltage drop, but do you mean you're using 3 - 200 amp breakers. 600 amps is a lot of power. Do you have a 3 phase service at that size? That improves and changes voltage drop calculation. Do you realize how big 600 MCM ( kcmil) cables are? You're not going to terminate them on a 200 amp lug.

 

[buickanddeere]

You state 600. Is that 600 MCM ?
The next question is what do you plan to run at the end. 3% at 200 amps is a lot of power. Typical in a sub for an outbuilding is a 100 amp feed. Even something like a welder will use only a small percentage of the 200 amps. I think you can save a chunk of cash by not over rating your real needs. You can still use a large 200 amp panel, but the wire is defined by the breaker you will use to feed the panel.

Paul

Actually breaker size and calculation for total of 5% VD from utility service to end device. Usually allow 3% drop on the feeder and 2% from the breaker panel to device.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm using three 200 amp breakers and I have three that are not being used. I would like to use one of those breakers to run a line to where I plan on building an event center. It's going to be in the 5,000 sq foot range, so AC is going to be a big draw on power. Lighting will be the next big demand, plus whatever is plugged into the outlets.

If I do not want to add another meter, can I run direct bury aluminum and still have enough power there?

Eddie

 

[newbury]

Have you looked at the tradeoffs possible if you installed solar and a natural gas generator at the building and just a generator at the deer blind?

Or a small nuclear powerplant?