Where to find a meter pole?

[bassadict69]

We are wanting to run electricity to the pier & need to put up a meter pole on the bank...anyone know where to get a CHEAP post tall enough to be used for this?

[SKEETER190]

Have you tried a place called Benton Creosoting Works  north of Benton last time I bought one was in 1992 and it was 16ft and it cost about 20 dollars then. Hope they can help you.

[bassadict69]

I never even thought about them...I grew up & still live in Benton, they should have been first on my list!

Thanks for the reminder...

[beast96z]

If you feel like driving to the Swepco yard in Haughton you can get one of our old poles out of the scrap bin. It's worth a look and its free. Bring a saw in case you have to cut one off. They are great for what you want to do. It just a toss up as to whats in there. You can pic up your meter can while your there. They are free too. You will have to get the rest of the parts from Home Depot, but I can help you wire it if you need help.

[Ron Fogelson]

Why do you have to have a meter to run power to the boat house?

Back home we have power in all the out buildings like barns/silos/sheds and so on along with the house but only one meter 

[beast96z]

It all depends on what you want to do out there. If all you want is a couple of lights and plugs, it may be easier to just wire in a breaker under the meter base and run a piece of #10 romex underground out to the dock. Just depends on the cost. I can tell you now, I can't set a meter on ANY pole without a state inspection, which is going to cost you $150-$300, depending on the rate for what your doing. Just something to think about, but at least you have another option, which IMO, is the better option, unless you have different plans for the dock/pole.

[bassadict69]

We are wanting a vapor light down there also, so I was simply thinking we would add the meter to that pole.

It would probably cost me just as much to get the trench dug from the house to the pier...definately not something I could do with a shovel.

[Mike Noble]

You might check into renting a trencher...might be a little cheaper.

[beast96z]

James, the wire doesn't have to be that deep. About 6" would be good. You could still set a pole and place a light. I would compare pricing between the 2. You also need to make sure the pole could be set within 100' of our service pole if you decide to go with a meter. If you go out of the existing meter box, you can put the pole where ever you want.

[skeeter_bite]

You got a gas edger?  Just run the blade in the ground as deep as it will go, poke the wire in and kind of stomp the ground back over.  It does throw up a lot of dirt though!

[bassadict69]

Thanks for the ideas!

I will definately be pricing it both ways...

[BAYFEVER22]

    check with your power supplier to see if they have any broken.poles..  sometimes when they replace a pole they leave the old one there.