A Salesman's Experience on an Installation Crew

When I came to Renua I couldn’t wait to see a project site and what goes into getting these chargers operational. As fate would have it none of the jobs were that close to me so I had to wait several months. Then I got my wish and then some! I got Western NY in Decemburrrr - thanks boss! 

A group of our installers received an expedited job request, and it was “only” two hours away. I was supposed to shadow the team, be an extra set of hands where possible, and just try to stay out of their way. I got up a couple hours early, drove to the work site, got safety gear on from head to toe and dove right in.

First, we had to remove all the electrical gear from the protective crates surrounding the equipment. The sensitive hardware inside means you cannot just smash the crates. You have to pry open each corner (top and bottom) to remove the wood panels. 

Next, we had to run cables from where the utility would bring the power in to where our electrical switch gear was. The guys knew what had to be done and each moved to a task that would prepare us for pulling the wires. First, getting the rope through the conduit, attaching the “fingers” to the cable and then the fingers to the rope. Then getting the rope thread in the cable puller.

Initially I assumed each guy was doing “his” job but run after run it would change. They simply moved from one task to the next making sure everything was done for the next pull. Due to the size of each cable, we had 2-3 guys at each end to maneuver hundreds of pounds of cable through the buried conduit. Think of each foot of cable as a 10-15lb dumbbell. Literally thousands of pounds of wire buried beneath my feet.

With the use of heavy machinery, we positioned the switch gear only to find the conduit did not line up. The guys were quick to discuss options, develop a plan of action, and remedy the situation like it was always meant to be done that way. 

Watching these guys twist and bend both themselves and the cable to get this massive, 1-inch-thick copper wire into place was a sight to be seen! Again, no one was standing around or asking what they should do. If you weren’t helping on a specific task, you were working on keeping the site clean and safe by sweeping up debris and picking up cut off ends of wire. Constant motion but seamlessly working together for one common goal. It was truly amazing to be a part of it.

The sun set, the snow fell, the fluorescent lights kept us going and then it was done. A day of hard, manual labor flew by for me. On my two-hour drive back home, I could feel pain from parts of my body I forgot about. Yet, all I could think about was going back again. I asked if I could and was back the next day!

More cable pulls, more moving heavy equipment, drilling holes into the cement to tighten the equipment down. Seeing the site take shape as each piece of equipment was moved was incredible! Just 48 hours prior the area was a dirt and grass bump with a couple of concrete slabs. Now it had these massive, white electrical cabinets and green Power Towers standing watch over us all. Again, the day ends under the fluorescent work lights and parking lot lights. As I drove home, I thought “Just one more day??”

On my last day we finished the cable pulls going from the power towers to the dispensers/chargers.

Throughout the project the team did 20 runs of cable, each weighing thousands of pounds, from Transformer to Switch Gear, Switch Gear to Power Towers, Power Towers to Dispensers/Chargers. We got the last charger in place and the only thing left was electrical work which I could not assist with.

Driving home knowing I was not going back was harder than I expected. I spoke with each member of that crew, each with their own story but pretty much all having the same focus. Family. These guys spend a lot of time away from home, so they work hard to be efficient and thorough so they can get back home. Meeting them, sweating side by side, eating lunch in daze after finally siting down, and sharing the occasional laugh made me appreciate this company so much more. I saw guys working with a purpose and it only reaffirmed my own drive to keep bringing in new jobs to support the people that support me.

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Greg Kline is in-house sales and project management for Renua Energy's EV Charger Sales & Installation Division.

Renua's installation crew was made up of Jim, Brandon, Rick, RJ, and Duffy! Thanks, gentlemen, for a job well done!