What's a good semi-rigid flexible tubing for permanent outdoor use?

[strantor]

That's an option. The phone company uses a spiral wrap to attach their multi conductor cables to the carrier wire with a special machine that travels and rotates. I would think that zip ties every 6 to 12" would work. They're cheap from HF and can be done one at a time and replace individual ones if needed.

I have loads of spiral wrap in smaller sizes and it would be perfect if I could get it on there, but it's a chore to do it just wrapping a bundle of small gauge wires. Doing it 20ft in the air on a 2" bundle would be a PITA at best. I think a machine like you mentioned would be required; I've never seen one and probably not going to buy one.

 

[strantor]

For wire I would use aluminum, they sell 4 wire twisted cable that gets used for mobile home installation above or below ground. About 1/3 of copper!
Also semi's us a plastic 1/2" air line that handles all types of weather. One brand is "Synflex" .

Yeah I've compared numbers copper vs aluminum and aluminum is the winner. Aluminum has higher resistance so I would need larger wires but it's still cheaper.

 

[Handloader109]

My personal opinion is to bury it all. Power line water and air, the last of which is luxury. Drive to the barn to fill your tires every quarter. I don't like the idea of power line through the attic. Pull it loose at road and potential short in attic. Yeah, I know. But that's just me. Run it around the front of the house, under or across drive. Can't tell if asphalt or cement. Cut through asphalt and under concrete. Bury water and airline... sorry, just don't like overhead. And water overhead is dumb.

 

[strantor]

My personal opinion is to bury it all. Power line water and air, the last of which is luxury. Drive to the barn to fill your tires every quarter. I don't like the idea of power line through the attic. Pull it loose at road and potential short in attic. Yeah, I know. But that's just me. Run it around the front of the house, under or across drive. Can't tell if asphalt or cement. Cut through asphalt and under concrete. Bury water and airline... sorry, just don't like overhead. And water overhead is dumb.

Thanks for the input but none of that is going to happen. I can't afford to pay anyone to do that and I can't afford to take time off to do it myself.
What is the concern with power line in the attic? I already have 80A lines up there for my HVAC. If someone decides to park a stolen telehandler in my driveway with the boom sticking 20ft in the air and snags that line then the GFI should trip; I would expect more structural damage from ripping something stronger than a tow strap through the rafters than from any resultant electrical calamity. And speaking of water overhead being dumb, my water lines are in my attic too.

 

[two_bit_score]

Absolutely - a second air compressor would be prudent. BUT - he still has the water line problem to contend with.

I had a similar situation to deal with. Went with a second air compressor, and CAREFULLY laid a water line from source to the shop. I also installed a cutoff from the source to easily drain the water line to the shop in event of freezing weather.

We did a similar move just came out from the meter a few feet with another line. Worth a consideration for water, electrical and that would take the air out of consideration.

 

[Raspy]

I would think that zip ties every 6 to 12" would work. They're cheap from HF and can be done one at a time and replace individual ones if needed.

Zip ties are very weak and often not UV inhibited. They will just fall off after a while. It has to be some kind of metal fastener.

 

[strantor]

Zip ties are very weak and often not UV inhibited. They will just fall off after a while. It has to be some kind of metal fastener.

The black ones are good for a few years in the sun; white ones a few months maybe.

I think I have my solution now; It's been years and I forgot I have a band-it tool and last time I used it I had some stainless banding strap in the box along with some rubber liner. I don't think there's anything better than that.

 

[bdog]

From the aerial view it looks like you have a nice place. Water, electric, and air lines dangling in the air across the place is going to look pretty ghetto. I would spend the time, effort, and cost to do a nice install if it were me unless you are planning on moving in a few months or something and just want a temporary solution.