A couple years ago I ran power to a remote building, about 500' from the pole. When installed, I ran tape etc. per best practices and after installation did "as builts". But now I'm digging more and have staked the line, but feel it would give me warm fuzzies if I located it with a Schonstedt, which I'd need for less than a day. Can't use Dig Safe because it's downstream of the meter.
Been keeping an eye out on Ebay, but haven't seen anything reasonable enough. Any advice on a good place in New England to rent one?
Thanks in advance.
Have you checked your local commercial rent-it center? One that services contractors? If not that, and if you don't mind spending a bit of money there are always private locate services that will come out and do the job.
.Yes; no dice.
Part of this is getting experience using one so I’m not inclined to hire someone.
Here are 2 options.
https://www.enviroequipment.com/rental-shipping-policies
https://www.whiteoakenv.com/policies/shipping-policy
Thank you. I'll check them both out on Monday.
Oops. I just read the notes on the Schonstedt: "No response from Aluminum, brass or copper. The wire is aluminum. I guess my Grasshopper status is still showing. What the heck do "Dig Safe" folks use? Most all underground utilities are either copper or aluminum.
Oops. I just read the notes on the Schonstedt: "No response from Aluminum, brass or copper. The wire is aluminum. I guess my Grasshopper status is still showing. What the heck do "Dig Safe" folks use? Most all underground utilities are either copper or aluminum.
Something like this:
the Schonstedt you are thinking of is a "passive" device. It picks up on variations in the earth's magnetic field that exists around ferrous metals. The utility locators use a version where they connect a transmitter to a conductor, and trace that signal. Buried utilities that are non-conductors, such as pvc pipe, are (supposed to be) buried with a wire or strip of metallic coated mylar to serve that purpose. The cost of these gadgets starts at twice what a Schonstedt does.
There are a number of youtubes, here is one:
Locating Underground Utilities - The Basics
In our area (Cape Cod) there are a couple of private utility mark-out companies that do a much better job than "dig-safe".
They will locate underground power lines on private company.
Usually around $300 for a residential site
If the buried wire is energized, a schonstedt will pick it up with a 'warbling' tone that's different than ferrous metal tone since the energy is generating a magnetic field. Still a good idea to pot hole it in a couple spots hand digging to verify.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
Oops. I just read the notes on the Schonstedt: "No response from Aluminum, brass or copper. The wire is aluminum. I guess my Grasshopper status is still showing. What the heck do "Dig Safe" folks use? Most all underground utilities are either copper or aluminum.
I think they use fancier locators. They can also hook a battery or something on the tracer wire if the utility has one and I think that helps make it visible to them.
If the buried wire is energized, a schonstedt will pick it up with a 'warbling' tone that's different than ferrous metal tone since the energy is generating a magnetic field. Still a good idea to pot hole it in a couple spots hand digging to verify.
That makes sense. Haven't found one to rent yet though. The wires are about 36" deep. The thought occurred to me though: the wires are in the same trench as my septic line. If I can dig up one of the cleanouts (which I surveyed prior to burial) I can run a steel snake down the pipe and detect that with the Shonstedt.
The utility locators send an audio tone on a wire associated with the utility. That could be the grounded wire or shield in a power or tv cable, or a tracer wire that was installed with a gas pipe.
They clamp on a source box and place a ground stake. Operation depends on the audio current flowing in a loop through the cable to ground..
Their detector is similar to a Shonstedt but measures the audio modulation's magnetic field and is selective for that frequency.
The treasure hunters' metal detectors are designed to signal on non-ferrous metals. I found a couple dozen aluminum can pull tabs with one. The gold and silver proved more elusive.
@peter-lothian I worked with a guy who bought one of those thinking he'd be able to sniff out brass caps like a champ but everything we looked for was right next to iron fences anyway so I think it ended up being just as useless as the rest.
I borrowed a pretty nice one from a friend. No dice. I think the wire's too deep. Leaning back in the direction of hiring someone lol. Either that or rely on the survey information I have and the installed red Caution tape, and just go slow.The treasure hunters' metal detectors are designed to signal on non-ferrous metals. I found a couple dozen aluminum can pull tabs with one. The gold and silver proved more elusive.
All you really need is a sharpshooter. Take it to where you think the line might be. Stab it into the sod then jump on it for a couple of seconds to get significant penetration. Guaranteed results that you have just severed the line.