200a feeder: MC or EMT & wire?

[petersonra]

The following prices are a little old (9/29/10) but may work for comparison.

3/0 copper $2900 per M

250 AL $671 per M

I would never have guessed the difference was that much. I may have to rethink my bias against aluminum wire.

 

[iwire]

I would never have guessed the difference was that much. I may have to rethink my bias against aluminum wire.

I understand your thought 100%, I love copper but .........

 

[peter d]

I understand your thought 100%, I love copper but .........

.......today's aluminum is just as good as copper. In fact, with the steadily rising cost of copper, aluminum may be a much better choice.






*This message paid for by the aluminum industries of America.

 

[petersonra]

.......today's aluminum is just as good as copper. In fact, with the steadily rising cost of copper, aluminum may be a much better choice.

The larger sizes of aluminum conductors have never been a problem to my knowlege. Only the smaller size house wiring (like #12).

At 4X the price, it's hard to argue over it for too long. Not usually my problem any more though.

 

[mcelweec@gmail.com]

You could also use aluminum mc cable,I've pulled a lot of 3/0 copper mc and it's actually very easy.It's actually smaller than you might think(fits in a 1.5" connector and normally available within a week.

 

[iwire]

I've pulled a lot of 3/0 copper mc and it's actually very easy

By yourself? You are the man.


Larry works solo or works with a smaller person.

 

[mcelweec@gmail.com]

Sorry didn't realize he's a one man shop,but it's still doable if it's a straight run over bar joists.

 

[chris kennedy]

By yourself? You are the man.


Larry works solo or works with a smaller person.

Thats a given, know any other giants in the industry?:grin:

 

[iwire]

Thats a given, know any other giants in the industry?:grin:

:grin: :grin:

 

[mcelweec@gmail.com]

It could also be secured to the underside of the bar joist rather than run through it,making the lift do the work.(presuming he's using a lift).

 

[LarryFine]

I would never have guessed the difference was that much.

I called my favorite "real supply house" for a price, and got:

100') 1.5" EMT $124.20
100') 2" EMT $154.20

100') 3/0 cu $323
100') 250 al $72.20

No contest.

 

[LarryFine]

You could also use aluminum mc cable,I've pulled a lot of 3/0 copper mc and it's actually very easy.It's actually smaller than you might think(fits in a 1.5" connector and normally available within a week.

How about 250mcm al MC?

 

[LarryFine]

Larry works solo or works with a smaller person.

Aren't they all? :grin:

We can handle it, with my son's help.

 

[LarryFine]

Sorry didn't realize he's a one man shop,but it's still doable if it's a straight run over bar joists.

I'll consider MC if it's economical.

 

[220/221]

I would never have guessed the difference was that much. I may have to rethink my bias against aluminum wire.

Damn! Me too !!


Use 2.5" EMT, ESPECIALLY if you go with the 250 AL.

 

[220/221]

Okay, so with about 15' up a cinder-block wall from the disco, about 60' across the bar-joist ceiling, and about 15' down to the switch with a strut support, and considering floor clutter, I figure allowing three full days of labor (including shopping and transporting materials) for two or three people. The lifting mechanism will most likely be a 2-person scissor lift.

I would do that job in one (long?) day with one or two guys helping.

For only 60', I would just use bring my rolling scaffold.

Pulling the wire in that short of a run with only two 90's will be easy. Use a rope, you can get a better grip on it than you can with a fish tape.


I am NOT suggesting that you lower your price. I'm just saying that, with proper planning, you could spank it out and make really good money.

 

[LarryFine]

Thats a given, know any other giants in the industry?:grin:

"Ho-ho-ho!"​

:grin: :grin:

Don't encourage him! :roll: grin

 

[iwire]

I would do that job in one (long?) day with one or two guys helping.

For only 60', I would just use bring my rolling scaffold.

Pulling the wire in that short of a run with only two 90's will be easy. Use a rope, you can get a better grip on it than you can with a fish tape.


I am NOT suggesting that you lower your price. I'm just saying that, with proper planning, you could spank it out and make really good money.

I agree with 220 but I am more of a lift kind of guy.

 

[LarryFine]

I would do that job in one (long?) day with one or two guys helping.

That sounds too much like work. We're built for comfort, not for speed.

For only 60', I would just use bring my rolling scaffold.

Ours isn't quite that tall.

Pulling the wire in that short of a run with only two 90's will be easy. Use a rope, you can get a better grip on it than you can with a fish tape.

Agreed, and already in the plan.

I am NOT suggesting that you lower your price. I'm just saying that, with proper planning, you could spank it out and make really good money.

Okay, let's alter the question: How much time should I price it using?

 

[220/221]

Okay, let's alter the question: How much time should I price it using?

Your time is priced right. Just because I can bust my ass, work long hours and plan jobs efficiently doesn't mean I'm working cheap.

I figure jobs based on what normal people would do, then try to get it done in half the time or better. Worst case, I make normal money.

I agree with 220 but I am more of a lift kind of guy.

I have resorted to every old school money saving device I can come up with lately. Three years ago I would order a lift, no questions asked. Today, I'd put the lift money in the bid but just bring a couple sections of (paid for) scaffold.