Running wire to a barn

Bill7 · 09-23-2012, 09:03 PM

Here is my dilemma:

We have an old granary that we are fixing up little by little. It has been cleaned out and now houses chickens. It has been great, as the birds have two large indoor sections to live in when the weather is bad, with a trap door to the outside if they want to go out.

Here is my problem. There is no power to this building and Winter is coming.

The the closest power source, the garage, about 200 ft away, across the yard (garden) and a bit of fenced in field (no worries about running it over, etc.).

I am looking at running power out there EVENTUALLY but can't afford an electrician at this time. Can I double up on heavy duty extension cords?

All I need to run is a heat lamp and a watering can that has a heating coil built in so the water doesn't freeze. We do not need lights at this time.

It has been suggested that I just buy the wire so I can reuse it when I do run power out there.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

electures · 09-24-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill7

Here is my dilemma:

We have an old granary that we are fixing up little by little. It has been cleaned out and now houses chickens. It has been great, as the birds have two large indoor sections to live in when the weather is bad, with a trap door to the outside if they want to go out.

Here is my problem. There is no power to this building and Winter is coming.

The the closest power source, the garage, about 200 ft away, across the yard (garden) and a bit of fenced in field (no worries about running it over, etc.).

I am looking at running power out there EVENTUALLY but can't afford an electrician at this time. Can I double up on heavy duty extension cords?

All I need to run is a heat lamp and a watering can that has a heating coil built in so the water doesn't freeze. We do not need lights at this time.

It has been suggested that I just buy the wire so I can reuse it when I do run power out there.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Rent a vibratory plow like the one shown below. Run some 1" and pull #10 THWN ( Black,White,Green) through it. You can always increase the wire size later.

I know this may sound easier then done considering your location, but using extention cords is not the answer. DO it right the first time.

(V)

Code05 · 09-24-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electures

.......but using extention cords is not the answer.

But the guy in the paint department at Lowes said it would work just fine...

electures · 09-24-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code05

But the guy in the paint department at Lowes said it would work just fine...

As long as the green one are used...,

mpoulton · 09-24-2012, 01:38 PM

Since the essence of your problem is that you need to keep things from freezing out there, the easiest solution may be a propane heater. Just get a small or medium sized thermostat-controlled propane heater and a 100-gallon tank. That should do fine and be cheaper to operate than electric heat.

Bill7 · 09-26-2012, 07:16 AM

Thanks for the replies, even the smarta#* ones.

I am planning on running wire, I just do not have the time or money right now. Extension cords are only a temporary situation. I do want to stay with electric, as I would like a light out there in the future. This all depends if it all can be fed off the garage in the first place.

electures,

1" what? I suppose I would need a box out in the granary.

electures · 09-26-2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill7

Thanks for the replies, even the smarta#* ones.

I am planning on running wire, I just do not have the time or money right now. Extension cords are only a temporary situation. I do want to stay with electric, as I would like a light out there in the future. This all depends if it all can be fed off the garage in the first place.

electures,

1" what? I suppose I would need a box out in the granary.

PVC conduit. Box in the barn to panelboard at service.

We have our fun.

Bill7 · 09-27-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electures

PVC conduit. Box in the barn to panelboard at service.

We have our fun.

Thanks

andrew79 · 09-27-2012, 11:37 AM

The propane heater will be way cheaper than digging and running pipe and wire out there. Toss in a propane light too and problem solved.

mpoulton · 09-27-2012, 07:22 PM

You can install solar powered lighting for a few hundred bucks, along with an inverter capable of running hand tools. With a propane heater, you'd be looking at under $1000 for the project. Under $500 if you're creative and use craigslist for some stuff. Trenching in utility power will be substantially more than that. If you think you'll make use of it for future expansion then go for it - and run two of the biggest conduits you can fit in the trench. Otherwise solar and propane is way more cost effective.