Private power to property

[waxdass]

Gents,

Looking for ballpark figures to supply grid power to a farm house.
The next door neighbor has brought in power poles to his property (350m away).

Would it be feasible to dig a trench, lay cable and add a transformer and then hire a sparky to connect?
What type of cable would be required for such a distance?

Neighbor has given approval.

[SSICK]

you want to connect to your Neighbours supply?

You would have to go through the retards at Western Power for approval. You cannot just add a transformer to their network without them wanting a piece of the pie.

Sit down when you ask them for figures.

[Fozzy]

Have you considered off grid solutions? Will probably be cheaper long term

[siladee]

For off grid pm bassula

[waxdass]

I would want to do it properly,however I'd like to organise digging trenches and laying cable myself.
I'd imagine western power would finish the work by tying in at both ends with their transformer?

Off grid is good but it would cost 20K+ . I was hoping my option would be much cheaper.

[Fozzy]

How far is the run? you will most likely need to go from the street not your neighbors poles. Work on about I would work on 5-10k per hundred meters.. Depending on overall distance, soil, ability to do they work yourself and how much you can get the materials for.

[waxdass]

350m. Street isn't an option, just my neighbors private poles/transformer.
You could hire a digger over the weekend, soil is clay shouldn't be too difficult.
It's the cable cost that is unknown, depending on gauge needed.

[dmanvan]

I would want to do it properly,however I'd like to organise digging trenches and laying cable myself.
I'd imagine western power would finish the work by tying in at both ends with their transformer?

Off grid is good but it would cost 20K+ . I was hoping my option would be much cheaper. someone still in solar may be able to elaborate more. but it used to be that if you didnt have access to grid without having to add a totally new service at huge cost then you could access a much higher rebate for solar to be totally off the grid? When we used to live out brookton way there was a couple of people that we new had properties that did that and were able to get large solar setups....

[Fozzy]

I did a 3 phase run of 280m and it was the best part of 10k for the cable. Total cost of 16k from the street to the house.

I dont know the logistics/implications of using your neighbours poles.

[sethor]

you want to connect to your Neighbours supply?

You would have to go through the retards at Western Power for approval. You cannot just add a transformer to their network without them wanting a piece of the pie.

Sit down when you ask them for figures.

Western Power don't really give a shit about anything past the meter. You might be able to get a sub meter piggybacking off your neighbors connection, but there will be only one bill issued so you will need to work out the split using the sub meter. Here is a fact sheet about sub meters http://www.westernpower.com.au/documents/submeter_fact_sheet.pdf

[waxdass]

Lewis,

Can you read usage off sub meters?

[Darkside]

^^^ Thats exactly what they do.

[waxdass]

Cool,

so basically: Neighbors transformer - > 350m single phase cable - > my submeter. ?

[crabman]

That is the best, rob Western Power of their shitty connection fee and split it with neighbour. You both end up better off.

[Darkside]

Cool,

so basically: Neighbors transformer - > 350m single phase cable - > my submeter. ?

Normally a sub meter is downstream from the main meter. Cant be upstream. So you wouldnt be connecting at the transformer. You connect at their meter. Their meter reads the total consumption and they are billed that. Your sub meter measures your portion of the total. So your neighbor needs to be comfortable with you racking up power on their bill and reimbursing them.

[waxdass]

OK no problem.

Who in Perth can I get in touch with to supply enough cable?

[Brockas]

$15-25k to run infrastructure to be billed power.
$25-35k to run an independent off-grid solution with renewable energy and never have another power bill. You're insane looking at the grid connection solution considering it's just money down the toilet.

You can even get a containerised solution these days which includes a backup diesel genset for emergency (albeit more expensive, it's still probably cheaper than running grid power for 3+ years).


Western Power are currently trialling off-grid PV / Diesel genset solutions which will be used for fringe properties on the SWIS for this exact purpose. We expect that most fringe regions of the SWIS will adopt these systems over the next 3-5 years as network maintenance costs outweigh revenue generated.

[waxdass]

Without any costs thus far, I'm not even sure what if it's viable.
Just sussing out how I could do it if I was to go grid.

The property is used about 7 days /month. Not keen on blowing that much cash for minimal use.

[matty12]

My 210m 3 phase run cost about 8k in cable.

[Fozzy]

Depending on usage a decent genset may be anther option if you don't need constant power

[Dom]

What happens when the neighbors sell and aren't happy woth the agreement.

[sethor]

I'd say the genset would be the most economical option, What will you be powering on site?

[Ash]

I would want to do it properly,however I'd like to organise digging trenches and laying cable myself.
I'd imagine western power would finish the work by tying in at both ends with their transformer?

Off grid is good but it would cost 20K+ . I was hoping my option would be much cheaper.

My last quote for a green dome on the edge of my property was $145,000 in Gidgegannup, (bigger transformer needed from the neighbors apparently) there were many profanities spoken and i sold the place instead. i would be extremely surprised if you can do it cheaper than stand alone solar. Western power are scum sucking leeches i have nothing good to say about them.

[urabus]

For a price on cable try Engineering Supplies. 61-8-9258 8444

Brendon

[SSICK]

What do you run at the farmhouse? Think of everything. Need that sum in Amps before you think about a cable.

For the best price cable in Perth, use Australian Recycle Group in Maddington. Yet to be beaten on any cable price I've required.

[waxdass]

Genset would be good, however it would need to be very economical and quiet.

Its more a weekender. The plan is to transport a donga with kitchen/air-con/lights/laundry/bathroom etc there in the future.

[J.stone]

I agree with the other guys suggesting an off-grid renewable solution.

Brockas is spot on with WPC not only trialing stand alone systems at the edges of the SWIN for viability and cost-effectiveness but they've also just entered into a micro grid arrangement with garden island (?) from memory which is really awesome, because it's mostly supplied by the carnigie tidal power plant.

Since you're using the property a decently sized solar system with some on-site battery back up with an inverter to suit your max demand coupled with a small back up generator will save you a lot of money in years to come.

[TurboHead]

Check these out

http://www.fairdinkumsheds.com.au/products/solar

Look interesting for short term / weekend use.

[waxdass]

I think I might just buy a 8+ KVa diesel generator for now, looking on gumtree looks like I could get one delivered to site for around $6k.
Just wait until renewable become a lot cheaper.

[Evman]

Just wait until renewable become a lot cheaper.

It'll be cheaper every year for better products for a long time to come. It's like computers - it won't matter when you buy, it'll be outdated in no time at all. It's all just a matter of when the cost/benefit ratio is suitable for you.

[evo5aurus]

had exactly the same situation with a farm thats in the family.

people up there about 7 days a month, have power lines running across property but to get power was looking at well over $15k

ended up going with solar + batteries and a backup gen

[mr_mike]

the only viable solution....

http://overunity.com/11860/rotating-motor-free-energy-with-a-cat-and-a-bread/dlattach/attach/93492/

[waxdass]

had exactly the same situation with a farm thats in the family.

people up there about 7 days a month, have power lines running across property but to get power was looking at well over $15k

ended up going with solar + batteries and a backup gen

what kinda of setup did get? Kw/battery bank etc.

I'm keen to see how this Telsa Powerwall goes once its released.

[evo5aurus]

what kinda of setup did get? Kw/battery bank etc.

I'm keen to see how this Telsa Powerwall goes once its released.

I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, I'll ask the old man next time I see him.

[2jzlux]

Use a decent genset for sure.
Go to the mining auction to pick up a cheap one
Also think of converting lights in your Donga to led to save how much power your genset needs to put out.

[Ash]

what kinda of setup did get? Kw/battery bank etc.

I'm keen to see how this Telsa Powerwall goes once its released.

There was a few guys on here that helped me price one up a few years ago im not sure if they are still members, i think about $25,000 for a 5000kw stand alone system comes to mind but it should be cheaper these days, ill see if i can dig out the old info i had.

[Fozzy]

http://www.smithbroughton.com.au/nextlot.asp#/sales/74277/lots

some good gensets coming up there

[waxdass]

cheers scotty, parts only though :/

[scary]

Depending on how much power you really think you are going to use I would think solar and batteries would easily sort you out.

Example camping setup

180w Solar panel
210ah AGM batteries

Ran for 7 days on solar (ok it was in the Pilbara)
80l Waeco fridge at 4C
35l Waeco fridge at -2C (beer Fridge)
12v Water pump for sink
LED lights to camper, kitchen etc

A small genset to this setup would charge the batteries if you are low on solar.

tripling the capacity of the batteries would be easy and cheap
Use 12v appliances rather than running a converter
Don't use heating appliances (toasters, hair dryers etc)
Gas hot water (any camping store) and gas cooking. - A couple of 4 kg will be more than enough or diesel hot water system.

600 odd aH would be stacks to hang out on the property and appropriately sized panels on the roof, DC - DC charger and management and you are done.