Surge Protector Lock

[gestern1]

I know there has been a lot of talk about securing your Surge Protector from the "less-than-honest" folks so I decided to design one myself. the one you can purchase from Camping World or Amazon is okay however when I say it was made out of plastic I was wondering how secure is it really.
This is the one from Camping World/Amazon.


Here is what I did; I purchased two metal electrical boxes that are 2 1/2" deep along with a 1.5" hinge and a 3.5" safety hasp, all totaling about $11.00 from Home Depot.

First I took out the screws and bent the tabs over until they broke off. Then I cut down one side of each box (I had to enlarge the slot after I tried to insert the 50 amp plug) so the plug's cord could extend from the box. After that, I drilled holes for the hinges and hasp and attached them with screws and then cut the length of the screws just past the nuts.

Then I added a few coats of paint and for about $11.00 and about one hour of construction I have a metal locking box that should deter the little less than honest person. I can only attach 5 photos per post so if anybody wants to see what the finished project looks like, let me know.
Mike

 

[offtohavasu]

Nice work. My only suggestion would be to either use rivets on the hinge or double back the nuts so someone can't unscrew the screws.

 

[gestern1]

Good idea and I thought of that. Ever tried to loosen a screw then there is locktight on the nut. Can't be done unless you can get the nut to stop turning. Since the nut is on the inside it would just be a position of frustration for whomever is attempting it.

 

[offtohavasu]

If you really want to screw with them, loctite the nut loose, so it seams as though it's unthreading, but it's really not.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Posted earlier on a different thread . . .

"We bought our Surge Protector while travelling . . .
We also bought the Surgeguard plastic box to "lock" the unit to the end of our power cord.
In hindsight, this was probably a waste of money . . . but again, the only option at the time.

After getting home, I had my local marine rigger fashion me a stainless cable to secure the unit to the post.
It has a short loop for small posts and a longer one for larger posts. Cost me $5."



Rob

 

[gestern1]

Rob, the cable looks like it will do the job to keep honest people from walking away with the Surge Protector, just like my box. Your cable takes up a lot less room also. There are folks out there that are using chain to tie the unit to the post. Whatever works, that's why we are all different.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Mike,

You are absolutely right. These "deterrents" are only going to stop a casual theft. If someone really wants to take this thing and has the tools to do it . . . nothing is going to stop them.

Rob

 

[GD350M]

Yes I agree we all have are own ways to keep the honest person honest. Me personally, that is why I just went with the permanent mount solution to mine. But at the end of the day, we all have a surge protector to protector our investments from the "Evil Power Pole"

 

[offtohavasu]

Dr. Evil Power Pole