Something that's been bugging me since deciding to build a my MNR Vortx is that my garage has no power.

It's a rented en-bloc garage so everything has to be undoable and I don't think drilling through the wall is an option!
I can't see a way of permanently running power so everything has to be set up to allow me to unplug the garage of a late evening.


Garage

I can easily run power to the shed, but I need to make sure it's safe. There's a 13amp socket on the inside wall in the bottom left of the picture. My thoughts are to run a spur from that through the wall using armoured cable and terminating it with an IP65 waterproof plug socket on the side of the shed.
It's there I get stuck, I've got some of this
that I can use to cover the cable over the path.
and then run the it to a small RCD consumer unit in the garage.

I'm only looking to run lights and possibly a small compressor (air riveting and an air gun).

I had thought of going the generator route but I don't think I can stomach a constant 65db in the garage from a quiet 2kw generator!

Are there any other options I hadn't thought of?

Solar panels?

genny

Solar panels would be great, only kids get up on the roof and I can't see them staying there!!

Genny is an option, but what about noise levels?

That streetlamp behind it looks very inviting . Do you know anyone who works on the waltzer .

I would have a temp extention lead that would sit on the fence when using it chucked over the roof. A fairly heavy cable will do and put down two cones where you stick it cross the path.

We do cables like this all the time and BT do it all over the countryside but leave them for years. As long as you dont leave it overnight and the trip hazzard is clearly marked you should be ok.


That streetlight is a good candidate for supply not that I would ever do anything like that

i wouldnt worry about noise from a genny, after all arnt you building a 7 ?

I suppose I'm always being too considerate! I was worried about having the cable running over the path.
Not that I would ever consider the streetlight but knowing my luck as soon as I try and do anything devious I'd get nicked for it (or electrocuted)!

From what I can see, the correct answer is, you can't. At least not without putting yourself at risk of litigation by carrying power over a public area and the possibility of someone injuring themselves on it.
A generator would be the safest option, it will also save you having to mess around with extension leads every time you want to spend any (night) time in there.
Good luck

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Originally posted by graememk
i wouldnt worry about noise from a genny, after all arnt you building a 7 ?

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that might be why none of my next door neighbours talk to me anymore

as soon as you get the engine running they'll hate you anyway

best start as you mean to go on..... very loud!!!

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Originally posted by Peteff
That streetlamp behind it looks very inviting . Do you know anyone who works on the waltzer .

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OK, how about,
An inverter, get yourself a couple of good size car or van batterys, use battery equipment where possibel anyway (rechargeable dril etc, which you charge in your shed overnight, so unless your planning on running MIG welders etc then you should be OK.
Have one batt in use, the other on charge.
Rig up flurecent lighting to run off it, Roberts your mothers brother

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/500w-inverter-500-watt-12v-240vAC-converter_W0QQitemZ8050557670QQcategoryZ15329QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Drill through the wall man !!

If you do it through a mortar bed it will be easily undoable.

I would be tempted to bury an armoured cable right under the edge of the tarmac area as well. Couple of hours with the right tools and materials would have that done. Protect it with the appropriate breaker at the supply and you're done.

I mean, it's not like you're digging the road up or closing it.

Agree with Zilspeed , a small hole through the wall which could be plugged with a bit of mortar when you have finished , a trench a couple of feet deep to be on the safe side , a trip and isolator switch are a must .

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
, a trench a couple of feet deep to be on the safe side , a trip and isolator switch are a must .

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SORTED
Rescued attachment garagesmall2.jpg

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Originally posted by chockymonster
Solar panels would be great, only kids get up on the roof and I can't see them staying there!!

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have you thought about having a meter put in lagit ?

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Originally posted by graememk
have you thought about having a meter put in lagit ?

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It might be safer to put a 110v site tranny in the shed, and power your lights via an extension from that, you could even put the compressor in there as well and run an air line to the garage, not ideal but at least if some dopey kid cuts the cable whilst your working they wont get a belt. If you do run power to the shed it should really be protected by a 30ma RCD.

I am an Electrician.
Use an armoured cable. Try and get your neighbours approval to run it on their fence.
Running a cable along public property is highly risky. Burying it is even worse because people do not know where it is if they carry out ground works.
You also need to install an RCD BEFORE the cable and not in your garage as you suggested.
If you tell your neighbour that it is temporary, eventually it will probably become permenant !

think the issue is the slide bit is public property.

Ts not the neighbours fence its a public/council fence as I understand it

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Originally posted by ReMan
Ts not the neighbours fence its a public/council fence as I understand it

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probably not a useful option but might you consider running it through the air? string a steel cable between posts attached to your shed and the garage, and run the electric cable along that.. not sure what an appropriate height would be, 8 feet? 10?

seen this done for quick and dirty installs to run power to people's sheds and stuff, not sure how appropriate it would be in this situation.

theres building regs relating to clearance below wires etc, but unfortunately i cant remember the details! Best to make sure either way, public liability could prove expensive!

My own thoughts, are that a cable to the garage isnt practical due to crossing public land. A generator isnt ideal either, which is a shame as power makes a big improvement to your work rate!

Id use a temporary extension lead, maybe home made out of 2.5mm 3 core flex, with an RCD essential at the supply end, to ensure no mishaps along the way. If you used large connectors (cant remember the name, but essentially the same as 110V plugs), you could also put a ring and lighting into your garage. This would allow you about 20amps (roughly 5kw) depending on the length of the cable.

Rent a different garage. Problem solved!

Run out a swa cable each time you need it and roll it up. It's a bind but it will probbably be your cheapest option.
If you can aford HOFR cable, it is more flexible than normal armoured cable.

Lateral (if hopelessly unlikely to be acceptable ) thinking:

Large tent on lawn (something like -> link or link)
Sure someone on here is building in a tent/marquee...

Crane hire and over the fence with it when it's time for SVA. Like that bloke off the telly.



[Edited on 25/3/06 by iank]

quote:

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Originally posted by iank
Lateral (if hopelessly unlikely to be acceptable ) thinking:

Large tent on lawn (something like -> link or link)
Sure someone on here is building in a tent/marquee...

Crane hire and over the fence with it when it's time for SVA. Like that bloke off the telly.



[Edited on 25/3/06 by iank]

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armoured cable is a nice idea, but unnecessary if it for an extension lead thats rcd protected. Can you imagine trying to roll up and store 20metres of armoured cable?!