cost of running electricity to the barns... is it worth it?

sandsuncritters · #21 10/06/12, 10:35 AM

Go solar - even as a backup you won't regret it. Nothing more frustrating than depending on electricity, and then having none when a winter storm or hurricane (in my area) leaves you powerless. Lanterns, flashlights, headlamps are a PITA when you're trying to birth, subdue, find, or haul anything in the dark.

The solar panel connects to a battery (or batteries) which stores the energy from the sun. One solar fence charger has the ability to properly charge 50 miles of fence for 7 days without sunlight.

I've never had a solar charged fence fail, ever, since we converted. Even charges through "light" brush growing on the wire.

There are solar lights in our barns. On/off switch. A godsend when the power is off, and saves the electric bill even when power is on.

We do have electric run to the barns, but hardly ever use it. Our ancestors didn't need it, and in the future it may not be available. We've prepared by using a combination of "old ways" and new technology.

In His Love
Mich

**Terri** · #22 10/06/12, 10:53 AM

I got bettery lights for the chicken house. I worry that mice will nibble the wires!

And, I made a small hole in the door so I can run an extension cord out if I want elecricity.

cindy-e · #23 10/06/12, 10:54 AM

Still not sure if solar will work here without some research. Not only does the sun go down very early here, but it rains for like 6 months out of the year.... a grey cloudy drizzle. It's overcast all the time for those 6 months. will solar still work under those conditions? I have seen solar power being used here, but not very many places...

hmmm.... more research.

thanks!

Cindyc.

rambler · #24 10/06/12, 11:16 AM

Solar is not really cheap either, when you add it up. You won't have any outlets, so only get a few low-watt lightbulbs.

Look over the costs carefully, that $1200 won't look so expensive and you will get a lot more for your money....

Solar lights are an option, but seems like you spend 1/3 as much, to get very little.....

--->Paul

Truckinguy · #25 10/06/12, 11:27 AM

The solar lights that I have will easily charge themselves on cloudy days and last for hours after dark. The lights are LED. I bought the first one last year and it's worked flawlessly all winter outside. I"m north of Toronto and we have very short days here in the winter too and they've worked fine. As I already mentioned, the only issue I see would be the size of your building. They light up the inside of my chicken coops and feed shed (5'x8') as bright as any room inside my house but might not be so effective in a large barn.

These solar panels aren't the kind you can attach together to make large solar arrays, they are a kit that comes with a panel and a light that plugs in to the back with a long wire but there are many different types of solar lighting out there and more coming out all the time. I just thought I would throw it out there as another possible option.

Maura · #26 10/06/12, 11:47 AM

As for snow, the light reflects off the snow and is a good thing. Do more research on solar in areas that have snow.

AnnieinBC · #27 10/06/12, 11:48 AM

It sounds like solar would probably not be an option, since you get lots of rain and overcast skies. In winter here, we get a lot of sunshine and a lot of snow, and a fellow down the road went solar as opposed to electricty for his house. But it didn't work out well enough, he said we still don't get enough sun for solar.

How far away is the barn from the house?

We don't have the barn wired - what we did was buy a few really good quality extension cords and we run them from the house to the barn. Probably about 300 feet away.

We live where it gets to -30C in the winter time and have never had a problem with the cords. My husband ties them together before pluging them together. He does it in such a way that the plugs can't come away from each other. Then lays them on the ground and puts a board over the parts where the plugs join, to keep water out of there.

It's a lot cheaper than running electricity down to the barn.

farminghandyman · #28 10/06/12, 12:52 PM

as long as it was up to code when installed it is legal, put the wires back up and use it, I do not know who cut the wires but it did not have to come down,

If you change some thing it has to be current code, but only the items you change,

Callieslamb · #29 10/06/12, 06:53 PM

It would only be worth it to me if I had the money in my hand and I didn't have any other debts or pressing needs. Only you can answer this question for yourself.

I use my elec in the barn for:
heat lamps for the chicks and other needy babies
water tank heaters
work light
power tools - DH's shop is out there
shop heater
water heater ( when we need hot water out there - it's not on very often)

rambler · #30 10/06/12, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farminghandyman

as long as it was up to code when installed it is legal, put the wires back up and use it, I do not know who cut the wires but it did not have to come down,

If you change some thing it has to be current code, but only the items you change,

I was thinking that as well, but it's cut now. Unless there were obvious issues - the boxes rusted away, or insulation off the old wires - you can keep the old installs, woiuldn't have had to trash them. When my place was rewired, the barn boxes were bad enough they couldn't be reused, so that entrance had to be redone to code, and coulda been the same for Cindy.

But we don't seem to get many details on the situation, so who knows.

As to extension cords as someone mentioned, 300 feet is a long ways for them. That works, but mind the voltage drop, I hope you are using 12 gauge - or even bigger - extension cords, those are not cheap, and you will have less power available at 300 feet than the fuses/ wire would normally allow. 12 gauge wire would only deliver 5-6 amps without warming up some, and would be very hard on a bigger motor to start it up. I'm not nit-picking, I've done similar stuff in the past, I certainly understand; but if you do so, understand what you are getting into with the long distances of wire, the longer the wire, the more the electricity gets 'lost' in heating the wire up and the less you get out the end of the wire....

--->Paul

Truckinguy · #31 10/06/12, 08:06 PM

Had another thought... lol...

If you're just looking for light at night why not try a strap on head lamp. Energizer makes a couple different ones. I have one and it's one of the most convenient things I've ever bought, very bright and hands free. I'm not sure how to link stuff here but if you google Energizer head light you will see what I mean.

Just throwing another idea into the pile...

fantasymaker · #32 10/06/12, 08:11 PM

I, thinking like a lot of others if all you need in to reconnect some wires out there do so. Otherwize its a barn not a human habitation so Id think you could o it pretty cheep.
OF Course like others here IR DEPENDS.
How far from Power source to barn? And Yes Id think at some point it would have been well worth $1200

big rockpile · #33 10/06/12, 10:39 PM

Ok I didn't read all the Post but I Love Electric in my Outbuildings and because we don't deal with much in the way of Codes here,run Line off the Main Line to a Panel in the Main Building go from there.

Just too much that can be used.Lights ofcourse,Welder,Milking Machine,Saws,Compressors and such.

This coming from a Guy that didn't have Electric in the House for years.

big rockpile

Shygal · #34 10/07/12, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truckinguy

The solar lights that I have will easily charge themselves on cloudy days and last for hours after dark. The lights are LED. I bought the first one last year and it's worked flawlessly all winter outside. I"m north of Toronto and we have very short days here in the winter too and they've worked fine. As I already mentioned, the only issue I see would be the size of your building. They light up the inside of my chicken coops and feed shed (5'x8') as bright as any room inside my house but might not be so effective in a large barn.

These solar panels aren't the kind you can attach together to make large solar arrays, they are a kit that comes with a panel and a light that plugs in to the back with a long wire but there are many different types of solar lighting out there and more coming out all the time. I just thought I would throw it out there as another possible option.

Can you link to them? I have tried searching on google but I keep coming up with the little patio light things

sandsuncritters · #35 10/07/12, 07:50 AM

Try here, search the pages for what you want. We have several for different applications.

Search Results for-solar lights-at The Home Depot

Then try Lowes, Northern Tool, Farm-Tek, Northern Freight, even Target and Kmart sell them. And they DO work!

In His Love
Mich

Truckinguy · #36 10/07/12, 09:12 AM

Home & Garden : NOMA Solar Panel & LED Hanging Light -$34.99 (30%) | Toronto Deals - RedFlagDeals.com

Hope this link works. I have two of these panels with two lights off each one. They work very well even in the cold. As I said, they light up my coops and feed shed nicely but might not be so effective in a big barn unless you're lighting specific areas.

houndlover · #37 10/07/12, 06:58 PM

My solar "shed lights" are worthless in providing enough light to work by, and at best, on a poor charge in an Oregon overcast winter, last at most 3 hours after dark.

ChristieAcres · #38 10/08/12, 01:51 PM

A lot of folks here do their own electrical work, just like DH does. If you and your DH have no experience, mistakes aren't worth it. I'd recommend hiring an Electrician, if even to work alongside your DH. Oh, YES, it is wayyyyyyyy worth it!

A friend of mine has goats, chickens, llamas, and pigs, finally got Electricity to her barn and was flat thrilled! DH wires up everything for me, can use my dehydrator in my garden cabin...

Lizza · #39 10/08/12, 11:25 PM

We have lived without a lot of things over the years, barns without electricity being one. We just moved to a place with a completely wired barn, wow! Hot water, lights, little frig for supplies, plug in's. Even going in at dusk, it is amazingly nice to be able to turn on a switch and everything light up. I would never again have a barn not wired (at least I hope not). Personally, I think it is worth the money you've been quoted, as long as you can afford. I can guarantee that you will never once say to yourself that it wasn't "worth it".

airwolftruker · #40 10/09/12, 12:22 AM

I dont think the price is too bad if the electrician is putting in a breaker box and meter box.
i just had to replace my 200 amp main breaker and the price was over 300.00 dollars.
You need to give us more info. Are you running the power from your house? Or are you placing a meter how long is the run? Is it aerial or underground?
I think you will be happier with power in your barn ....... do it!!!
Good luck