Temporary Power Pole for hunting camp

thank you. I imagine it varies by electric company but who typically furnishes the wire from nearest transformer to said temp pole?

Putting up a temp pole is fairly straightforward. If you buy a Temporary Power pole, most of the electrical is set up, you just have to stick it in the ground and make sure it’s supported. You’ll have to get the electric company to run power to the pole and install a meter. Then, run all the extension cords and whatever you want, keeping in mind safe electrical practices, etc.

Power Poles run around $400-500 from home supply stores/electrical houses. I know Stines and Holmes sell them. I don’t think they have the receptacles installed, so it’s a little more for that. Depending on the distance to the lines will determine what the PoCo will charge (and if you have a transformer available). I had to go about 60ft and already had a transformer and it was like $400. If having to add a transformer, it’s another $1-2k.

You can also find Temp Poles for sale. Weirdly I just listed mine on FB today, but there’s usually several listed in your area. I bought mine from there.

The pole you buy comes with tails coming out the weather head. The power company will connect your feeder wires to the tails and they will insert the meter. It’s your responsibility to run power from the breaker panel to your equipment or camp.

The power pole will be the easy part. The electrical company will want a permit from an inspector with your parish health department most probably and if its a camp that has been there a long time there is a good possibility what they required years ago as far as septic and other things has changed. Just make sure of this before you open a can of worms or for others at your lease. i've seen it happen at 2 different leases I was on an it screwed over other members with their camps.

As a power company employee I can provide some insight. All the others have said the ready made power pole is the best way to go.

Health departments and others piggy back off the power companies to get their permits. I know in west central LA you can’t get power without a health and sewer permit. That has nothing to do with power, but they use the electric company as enforcers. If you want power bad enough they think it will motivate you to get the rest too.

As far as getting info when you call it’s hit or miss. If you get a long time employee they can give you the basics, but will want you to place order to meet with an engineer on site to really give you the info. They don’t want front line reps quoting job prices and details sight unseen. One, if it costs three times as much, then there will be a fight. Two, don’t frick around with electricity. If they give bad spec info and it results in someone getting hurt, the company is liable and you’re probably dead.

Best thing to do before you do anything is go to the power company’s website and look for a meter and service guide. It should give you detailed drawings of what you need for your setup. Then call and set appointment with local engineer. Both these things should cost you $0.00 and be the most reliable info you can get. Then if it costs too much or is a hassle, you can always say no thanks and run off generator.

Hope that helps.

Eta: if you can’t find a meter and service guide, email me at LSUFAN950@yahoo.com and I’ll be happy to send you a link to one.

I'm using a generator for the time being but I doubt that will be popular come deer season.

I'm familiar with the checks and balances with the sewer etc as I just built a house. It is indeed a royal pain in the arse.

This is in rural Wilkinson county, MS so hopefully there won't be too many hoops to jump through. Best I can tell from talking to Southwest electric I'll be on the hook for the pole and any connecting cable beyond 300 feet.

Thanks for all the info