Vent: My first solo 400 amp service upgrade went smoother than I thought

I was nervous about the whole thing, especially pulling the new 4/0 aluminum feeders in this old conduit run. But I used a ton of that green pulling lube from Ideal and it just slid right through, no kinks. I mean, I was ready for a full day of fighting it and it took maybe two hours. Anyone else have a go-to trick for tough pulls in tight spots?

3 comments

3 Comments

simon_coleman8d ago

Had a similar pull last month with some old, crusty conduit. The trick that saved me was warming up the pulling lube jug in a bucket of hot water for ten minutes before we started. That stuff flows like water when it's warm and coats everything way better. Made a night and day difference compared to using it cold right off the truck.

lunakim9d ago

Sounds like you brought a fire hose to a water balloon fight. I've seen guys use dish soap in a pinch, but that green goop is basically magic in a jug. You probably could have pulled a whole bundle of those feeders with one hand tied behind your back. Makes you wonder what the old-timers did before that stuff was around, probably just cussed a lot and took three days. Good on you for making it look easy, even if it was just the lube doing all the work.

emery_carter5d ago

Ever try that trick with the hot water bucket like @simon_coleman said? Total game changer. We used to just fight with the cold lube and it was a mess. That warm stuff gets into every little space. Makes the pull smooth as butter. Can't imagine going back to the old way now.