Power Upgrade #3 Trenching Adventures

So I did call USA DIG and had all my lines marked and had the utilities come out. However, being an old house I guess I should have expected some adventures! I have no idea where one of these two lines goes, but I just forgot that the old Ag Well (our third well) was going to have power. But since it is not operating I did not think its power was live. It was!

Then right after that I hit my gas line!!! Part of it was my fault. You are not supposed to operate a trencher within 6 feet of a line. I was lazy. I did not want to chip through the frozen top so I lowered the cutter to 12in and cut the path. The gas line was only 6 INCHES under the surface! The chain wrapped the black iron pipe up like it was a Twizzler.

Thankfully there was no spark or it would have been Iraq all over again with much worse results I think! I jumped off the tractor and scrambled for the shut off, which I had no idea where it was…piss poor planning on my part!

So now I just doubled my work load:). However, we wanted to move the tank anyway so it works out. That, and since the line was only 6in under ground it wasn’t to code anyway.

Then, not three feet later I cut right through the current shop feed.
This on really got to me. What you are looking at is the power line (12gauge romex!) that not only feeds my shop but then goes on to feed the big barn and Theresa’s Glass Shop. No wonder we were constantly fighting with each other for power. Also, who puts a line two inches under the surface? So now I am completely reliant on generators until the upgrade is complete.

I have about 100 feet total left to hand dig. Then it is off to laying pipe and line. There are trenches everywhere now:).

More to Follow….

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Site Host Comment by Nate Meadows on February 23, 2013 at 10:08pm: Michael,

Yes we have talked a little about your shop but not that much. I did not realize it was only 40amps! You have got to get that fixed:).

I totally hear you about how some people think things should be done halfway. It amazes me. That is what codes are for:).

Nate

Comment by Michael & Matthew Agate on February 23, 2013 at 6:40pm: Nate,

we have a direct bury tech cable going to our workshop from the house. We only have 40 amps so we can only use one tool at a time, that also means no dust collection. We are hoping to upgrade in the future. I think I already mentioned this on a phone call and if so, now you get to hear it twice. I

I'm surprised they direct buried the number 12 wire in the photo's above. It's amazing the way some people do things. The house we live in is approx 30 years old, not terribly old, but in renovating our kitchen, we found some pretty scary wiring. Some people just don't care. All fixed up now, and with out a doubt, you'rs as well will soon be up and running.

Michael and Matthew Agate (Newfoundland Canada)

Site Host Comment by Nate Meadows on February 16, 2013 at 8:15am: No joke:), that is a good one!

I have those too, but that is another problem for later:).

Nate

Forum Host Comment by Lewis Kauffman on February 15, 2013 at 9:56am: Looks like a bunch of crazed gophers attacked your yard, Nate!!

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

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