The Big Dig. This was a major event. Power and water were secured at the top of the property, the lines had been from point of service to other side of driveway. It was time to get those two utilities to the cabin site. The Big Dig was a 750’ trench down the driveway to the cabin site. This trench would hold the direct burial triplex and the water supply line. The depth of the trench was 24”. We did have one piece of equipment, but also hired a local contractor with a tracked trencher to do the main line ($1/ft) If possible, try to not rely generators or toting water if you are planning on building.
As soon as you are able - get these two items to your site. Power and water seem to improve everything. The cool thing about this project was the commitment. We’re going for it. We’re going to build a cabin 800’ from here. This project occurred on Feb 19th thru the 22nd, 2020.
Cable on trailer - ready for job site.
This was the starting point. This was where we left off on the with site work. The 1” grey PVC would be stubbed up as a spare pipe to mark the end of the 2 1/2” pipe. The 1 1/2” water line would run the distance to the cabin site. The electrical cable would be direct burial until it re-crossed the road again at the site location.
The trench bordered the side of the driveway - then re-crossed the drive at the site. The local contractor hopped on our machine and dug this for us. Took him about 15 minutes! The trencher would have not worked in this area.
The depth was 24”.
Russ at the cabin J Box location. A real mud pit. The road behind him. A mess. The pipes behind him head back to the supply. The pipes in front are future use for the cabin. The 1” grey PVC pipes signify the stop/start of direct burial vs conduit. The GE RV panel will be utilized for temp power while the cabin is being built.
Mitch on a mini excavator, notice the trench on the left side of the drive.
Trade name is Wesleyan Cable - this a direct burial cable, used to supply a 100A service to the cabin location. Oversized cable was used to compensate for distance from point of service.
The triplex cable has been sent under the road via conduit and ready for termination in the J BOX.
Crossing the road.
The trench has been covered. Utilities are buried.
J Box at the the cabin site. (Picture taken much later after the site had dried out) Notice the smaller cable tied into the larger ones. These serve the temporary panel for now. The empty pipe is for the cabin panel.
J Box at the the entrance. (Picture taken much later after the site had dried out) The 350 kcmil Aluminum triplex tied to the 250 kcmil Cu. The grey well wire secured on its own.
Workers in the back of the van. Mitch and his father, a retired commercial builder.
Holding a multimeter, lets check our voltage! You have probably seen these electrical boxes in campgrounds. Known as “RV panels” Outdoor rated, not expensive, and will do the job perfectly to provide temp power.
Two workers. Russ and Mitch.
The end of the water line. Supply measured at 10 gpm.
The end result was an electrical J box and RV panel.