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Posted: 2/28/2025 1:22:46 PM EDT
I need a pass-through for house current to power a Golden Rod dehumidifier and some interior lights. I was thinking about one of these shore power bulkhead connectors. Does anyone have a different idea? 
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Cheap enough for sure and would work well. I am cheaper than that, but as a sparky I simply cut the female end Off a short extension cord, drilled a 5/8 hole in the safe. Used a strain relief bushing to pass the cut end thru. Left 6’ of cord in the safe, put a new end on the cord and called it good. If you go with the Amazon fitting, get the right size hole saw, cutting oil and go slow or you’ll smoke the hole saw. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: Cheap enough for sure and would work well. I am cheaper than that, but as a sparky I simply cut the female end Off a short extension cord, drilled a 5/8 hole in the safe. Used a strain relief bushing to pass the cut end thru. Left 6’ of cord in the safe, put a new end on the cord and called it good. If you go with the Amazon fitting, get the right size hole saw, cutting oil and go slow or you’ll smoke the hole saw. I did similar, except I wired the end into an outlet box, plugged in my black goldenrod and some LED lights from that. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: Cheap enough for sure and would work well. I am cheaper than that, but as a sparky I simply cut the female end Off a short extension cord, drilled a 5/8 hole in the safe. Used a strain relief bushing to pass the cut end thru. Left 6' of cord in the safe, put a new end on the cord and called it good. If you go with the Amazon fitting, get the right size hole saw, cutting oil and go slow or you'll smoke the hole saw. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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Originally Posted By DVCER: Be aware, the 2" hole saw required will deliver considerable torque to the hand holding the drill. Be careful, go slow. That being said, if you are a bit OCD, look into a 120V rated 3 pin bulkhead connector. That way you only have to drill a 1/2" hole (maybe 3/4). You'll have to do some wiring, but I'd honestly rather to that than try to mess with a 2" hole saw. If you look on McMaster-Carr you can get an idea of what's available. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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I drilled a VERY small hole, and cut the plug end off a small extension cord, ran that through the hole, and then installed an inexpensive plug from home depot on the cord. Runs my lights and goldenrod. The thing I don't like about your proposed solution is the size of the hole and being more of a PITA to drill and mount it for very little value. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: I am cheaper than that, but as a sparky I simply cut the female end Off a short extension cord, drilled a 5/8 hole in the safe. Used a strain relief bushing to pass the cut end thru. Left 6’ of cord in the safe, put a new end on the cord and called it good. Bingo. |
| Thanks for the inputs. You guys are right, I'm trying to be OCD but the reality is that a smaller hole will be better in a fire event. An outdoor rated extension chord with a replacement end would also eliminate at least one connection. |
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Originally Posted By Rope-A-Dope: Thanks for the inputs. You guys are right, I'm trying to be OCD but the reality is that a smaller hole will be better in a fire event. An outdoor rated extension chord with a replacement end would also eliminate at least one connection. Also possible increased risk of humidity with larger hole unless it is sealed up very well. |
| this also exists |
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Originally Posted By costanza: this also exists I already bought a similar one that I plan to install soon. |
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Any issues using this or a cut extension cord with a new end put on with a 20A outlet? |
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Originally Posted By Mav3rick: Any issues using this or a cut extension cord with a new end put on with a 20A outlet? Originally Posted By Mav3rick: Any issues using this or a cut extension cord with a new end put on with a 20A outlet? Re: Using this. The cord from the power strip to the "new end" would probably be to short to work. See picture. Attached File Re: Cut extension cord. I see no problem cutting the end off an extension cord or power strip, feeding it through a hole in the safe and putting a "new end" on it. Will work fine plugged into a 20 amp wall outlet. What do you plan to power with the new cord/power strip? If LED lights and golden rod, then it should be fine. If your load is significantly heavier than that, make certain the wire is sufficiently sized to handle it. |
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Originally Posted By WDEagle: Re: Using this. The cord from the power strip to the "new end" would probably be to short to work. See picture. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174498/Screenshot_2025-03-11_155539_png-3487782.JPG Re: Cut extension cord. I see no problem cutting the end off an extension cord or power strip, feeding it through a hole in the safe and putting a "new end" on it. Will work fine plugged into a 20 amp outlet. What do you plan to power with the new cord/power strip? If LED lights and golden rod, then it should be fine. If your load is significantly heavier than that, make certain the wire is sufficiently sized to handle it. @Mav3rick I forgot to @ you & the @ function won't work on an edit. |
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Originally Posted By WDEagle: @Mav3rick I forgot to @ you & the @ function won't work on an edit. @WDEagle No worries. Thank you for your response. To answer your question. Yes-mainly just some led lights like the kits people have linked to on Amazon and a PEET dryer over a golden rod as I have head good things about it. Links below to the items I would like to add. 
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Originally Posted By WDEagle: Re: Using this. The cord from the power strip to the "new end" would probably be to short to work. See picture. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174498/Screenshot_2025-03-11_155539_png-3487782.JPG Re: Cut extension cord. I see no problem cutting the end off an extension cord or power strip, feeding it through a hole in the safe and putting a "new end" on it. Will work fine plugged into a 20 amp wall outlet. What do you plan to power with the new cord/power strip? If LED lights and golden rod, then it should be fine. If your load is significantly heavier than that, make certain the wire is sufficiently sized to handle it. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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Originally Posted By Mav3rick: @WDEagle No worries. Thank you for your response. To answer your question. Yes-mainly just some led lights like the kits people have linked to on Amazon and a PEET dryer over a golden rod as I have head good things about it. Links below to the items I would like to add. www.amazon.com/dp/B01FDAFC3Q www.amazon.com/dp/B00486U71E @Mav3rick That light kit is stated as using 10 watts & dryer is 13 watts. Almost any extension cord or power strip will laugh at that minuscule load. |
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Originally Posted By Furner: Jam some fire stop putty in the hole. Helps seal for humidity as well as reduces the chance that fire could get through the hole. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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Originally Posted By R2point0: Fire stop putty is pretty expensive and you can't buy just an ounce or two. If the hole is appropriately sized I would just go with some high temperature silicone caulk or gasket material. It's not exactly intumescent, but probably durable enough to withstand the heat for the length of the fire rating. You are right it's not exactly cheap and available in small quantities but the sheet at McMaster is the right size for several small safe holes. |
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Originally Posted By Furner: You can get a 7x7 sheet of it for $9 at McMaster You are right it's not exactly cheap and available in small quantities but the sheet at McMaster is the right size for several small safe holes. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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