Need: Electrical Line "BIG" To run 1,400 feet.

**Sourdough** · 06-17-2009, 05:20 PM

I am shopping for 1/4 mile of line. For now I need to find cheapest place to buy it.

No I don't know what size line I need, 4 ought if I remember, but it will most likely be stepped up to 440 mid way, and stepped down to 220 at the building.

For right now I am just shopping for discounted, or discounted, or used line, left-over from huge job, etc.

Note: I know as much about electrical stuff as I do about women, so don't ask me complex questions.

Thank You,

**Rick** · 06-17-2009, 05:28 PM

How is it being fed? Are you coming off a transformer "somewhere"(?) back to your cabin?

Are you wanting to run it aerial or buried?

**Sourdough** · 06-17-2009, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

How is it being fed? Are you coming off a transformer "somewhere"(?) back to your cabin?

Are you wanting to run it aerial or buried?

It will be illegal on the ground, or shallow buried......For sure not overhead.....(Note: We are talking $55,000.00 to do it correctly) Which is why it will lay on the ground, maybe in plastic flex-pipe.

The meter will be down near the road, most likely a 200 AMP "temporary" service drop.(Note: some people here have been on temporary for 45 years)

The cabin will be 1/4 mile up the mountain.

**Rick** · 06-17-2009, 07:27 PM

Do you need to supply 3 phrase power to large motors or some other large load or can you get by with triplex? You can probably find some 4/0 aluminum overhead to serve as a "temporary" especially if you intend to put it in flex-pipe. You can just toss it on the ground. If you need 3-phase I think you'll have to go with quadra-plex. Either way, the wire should be rated for 600V.

**Rick** · 06-17-2009, 07:36 PM

Southwire is a major player in the utility wire business. You might be able to contact them and ask about surplus production runs. You'll need to know what you want, though.

http://www.southwire.com/processChan...00d5016664RCRD

Don't you know anyone in the gold mining business up there? They should be able to lay hands on that for you. Or at least tell you where you can get it locally.

**Sourdough** · 06-17-2009, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Do you need to supply 3 phrase power to large motors or some other large load or can you get by with triplex? You can probably find some 4/0 aluminum overhead to serve as a "temporary" especially if you intend to put it in flex-pipe. You can just toss it on the ground. If you need 3-phase I think you'll have to go with quadra-plex. Either way, the wire should be rated for 600V.

The Main line that runs into Hope/Sunrise, AK. does "NOT" have 3 phrase available. Chugach Electric Association, Inc. is the utility Co. So I guess I don't need it if I can't have it.........

**Pal334** · 06-17-2009, 07:54 PM

With nothing of value to add to your question, may I ask one of my own? Is this the way most in your area run power?

**Rick** · 06-17-2009, 07:57 PM

Man! I was reading through their extension requirements. They are sticklers. Why don't you shoot a PM to AFLINEMAN. He might have some suggestions or ideas for you.

**Sourdough** · 06-17-2009, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Pal334

With nothing of value to add to your question, may I ask one of my own? Is this the way most in your area run power?

All of Alaska would not be a mid-size town in N.J.

Yes and no is the best answer, if you built close to the main line, you would hook up the standard way. And I could do that for $55.00 PER foot or about $55,K to $60,K For that reason yes we just set a "Temporary" or construction pole (6" X 6" X 20' AWW pole and put the meter on that, yes I would guess 30% of dwellings are permanently on temporary.

The $60,K is just for the line extention, the clearing of the R.O.W. is extra, and I have to give them 20' BY 1,520' of ROW

**Pal334** · 06-17-2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by hopeak

All of Alaska would not be a mid-size town in N.J.

Yes and no is the best answer, if you built close to the main line, you would hook up the standard way. And I could do that for $55.00 PER foot or about $55,K to $60,K For that reason yes we just set a "Temporary" or construction pole (6" X 6" X 20' AWW pole and put the meter on that, yes I would guess 30% of dwellings are permanently on temporary.

The $60,K is just for the line extention, the clearing of the R.O.W. is extra, and I have to give them 20' BY 1,520' of ROW

OUCH!!!! Even in rural areas where my brother is in Upstate NY is not that expensive. We are spoiled here in NJ that way I guess. No free lunchesin ALaska it would seem. Here again is a question if you don't mind. Would it be cheaper in the long run to use a generator type setup? Or wind power ? Not trying to be picky, just curious

**Sourdough** · 06-17-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Pal334

OUCH!!!! Even in rural areas where my brother is in Upstate NY is not that expensive. We are spoiled here in NJ that way I guess. No free lunchesin ALaska it would seem. Here again is a question if you don't mind. Would it be cheaper in the long run to use a generator type setup? Or wind power ? Not trying to be picky, just curious

My current electric bill is $11.87 per month "TOTAL". My diesel generator burns .65 to .83 Gallons per hour. Fuel is $4.15 per gallon. Or $2,315.00 per month run at 75% load, 24/7 In the rural bush the diesel is $7.80 per gallon.

**Rick** · 06-17-2009, 10:01 PM

But Pal does bring up a good question. You could install solar and/or wind for a LOT less than that. I know you have a stream on the property. I don't know what kind of flow you get but perhaps that could be harnessed for a private hydro-generator. A few thousand dollars could set you up pretty nicely on one of those technologies.

**Sourdough** · 06-17-2009, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

But Pal does bring up a good question. You could install solar and/or wind for a LOT less than that. I know you have a stream on the property. I don't know what kind of flow you get but perhaps that could be harnessed for a private hydro-generator. A few thousand dollars could set you up pretty nicely on one of those technologies.

All that sounds great, but what if a bushing goes out at -36 below. Do you want to be fixing anything at -22 below. It all sounds great, but when your 63 years old, you don't want to climb wind towers, chop through 4 feet of ice, etc. It would be about $20,000.00 for the basic set-up, and if it failed, and there is 5 feet of snow and -33 degrees, you could die just getting parts, add to all of that that it is Dark 18.5 hours per day.

**crashdive123** · 06-17-2009, 11:23 PM

Hope - you may need to work on the wording of the vacation brochure if you don't want to scare off the tourists. On the other hand ...........

**Pal334** · 06-18-2009, 07:03 AM

Hope: if you keep this up, you may not be designated the vacation capital. THanks for sharing that dose of reality. We here in the lower 48 (or more accurately me) don't see those prices. Even at the installation costs, I now see what you are saying, it is the only real alternative. Thanks for sharing