Author Topic: Where do I find those recessed plug outlets for the outside of my cab! (Read 6554 times)

rackoon · « **on:** March 28, 2007, 05:44:18 pm »

I wonder if anyone is going to know what I'm talking about but I have seen them is several examples but cant find one at the moment. The outlet is black, recessed and takes the same cord as my computer power supply. I want to get one and cut the hole for it before I glue all this together and stain it. It would simplify things a lot.

Jeff AMN · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2007, 05:52:01 pm »

I've seen them at the Home Depot.

BobA · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2007, 05:52:56 pm »

You can get these from digikey

Link to Picture

GregorDV · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2007, 09:12:31 pm »

Go to Goodwill or Craigslist and get the cheapest ol' beat-up 286 you can find and rip apart the power supply. Quicker, cheaper, and keeps a piece of plastic out of the landfill.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2007, 09:19:49 pm »

here is what I ended up using.
http://www.interpower.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=ic/p30form.p?w_part=8301213

Also see this thread
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51863.0

rackoon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2007, 09:48:11 pm »

Do ya think that I might smoke one of those things with a 27" monitor and two PC power supplys (one drives 100 LEDs and car amp and the other is for PC.) Those things only are rated for 15 amps.

somunny · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2007, 11:15:14 pm »

Here's the link to Mouser. I used 'D' on two cabinets.

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/620/712.pdf

shorthair · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2007, 12:03:08 am »

A neat idea...but I don't understand how you're hooking everything up to it. (?) And, are you using a smart strip?

bfauska · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2007, 12:49:19 am »

You are probably fine with 2 power supplies and a monitor. What is the wattage rating on the equipment?

Assuming you are in the U.S. the total wattage divided by the voltage (120) is the amperage.

For example if you have 2 400w power supplies and the monitor uses 200w (I think that's a high estimate) then you have a total of 1000 watts, divide that by 120 volts and you get 8.34 amps.

15 amps is quite a bit actually, most household circuits are 15 or 20 and supply a whole room.

I really like that idea for a plug, real clean when you are moving the cab, and if the cord gets damaged it's easy to replace.

Later,
Brian

rackoon · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:22:24 pm »

Yes, I will be using a smart strip hooked up to one of these power entry modules. It just looks clean and professional.

When people look at it for the first time I want them to say "damn, you built that!"

Thanks for the input guys. I finally know what to call the thing and that was half the battle.

spacies · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2007, 08:47:50 pm »

These are what you need.

I use them on all my machines.

Front:

Rear:

NiteWalker · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2007, 10:48:33 pm »

Can you divulge us some more details about those? How would you hook them up, where to get etc.

spacies · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2007, 11:51:56 pm »

No worries:

I get them from a local shop.
I guess I could post to USA if you guys get stuck and can't find any.
It wouldn't be that much.

somunny · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2007, 12:45:27 am »

This would be letter 'M' from the link I referenced in my previous post.

spacies · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2007, 01:22:26 am »

Very similar.
The only difference is the 'M' is a snap in.
This one is a screw in.

shorthair · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2007, 02:05:26 am »

Yeah, I immediately wondered why he wasn't choosing one with a fuse. So, spacies, you're chopping the head off your strip to connect to this?

spacies · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2007, 02:45:48 am »

Quote from: shorthair on March 30, 2007, 02:05:26 am

So, spacies, you're chopping the head off your strip to connect to this?

That would be the right thing to do.
Use the wire connectors to go on the tabs.
I tried soldering to it but it got too hot and melted the plastic rendering the unit useless.

javeryh · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2007, 10:27:07 am »

Quote from: NiteWalker on March 29, 2007, 10:48:33 pm

Can you divulge us some more details about those? How would you hook them up, where to get etc.

I would also like to know the answer to this. Does the thing go on the back of your cab so you can detach the power cord from the cabinet? Kind of like how a computer or monitor work?

This would be much cleaner than cutting a hole in the cab for the plug of the smartstrip to go through and finding a grommet to make it look nice...

somunny · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2007, 11:09:36 am »

Quote from: spacies on March 30, 2007, 01:22:26 am

Very similar.
The only difference is the 'M' is a snap in.
This one is a screw in.

Ah, didn't notice that. You definitely want a screw in for wood.

bfauska · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2007, 12:00:02 pm »

Yep that's where it goes. Instead of cutting the end off the power strip and crimping to the tabs on this, I would consider leaving the powerstrip intact and adding either a cord with an female plug or an outlet in a box to the setup so that the powerstrip is reusable/replaceable.

Just buy a female plug and wire it to the back of the "power entry module" and then plug the smartstrip into that.

javeryh · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2007, 12:10:23 pm »

Quote from: bfauska on March 30, 2007, 12:00:02 pm

Yep that's where it goes. Instead of cutting the end off the power strip and crimping to the tabs on this, I would consider leaving the powerstrip intact and adding either a cord with an female plug or an outlet in a box to the setup so that the powerstrip is reusable/replaceable.

Just buy a female plug and wire it to the back of the "power entry module" and then plug the smartstrip into that.

Do they sell/make these things so you can just plug the SmartStrip in the back without any fancy wiring? It seems crazy that no one would have thought of this since there are so many different variations on those plugs from what I can tell. I am hesitant to wire anything that involves power/electricity as I do not know what I'm doing and no amount of "it's easy" or "you can do it" will make me think otherwise.

bfauska · « **Reply #21 on:** March 30, 2007, 04:20:44 pm »

I don't know of any "they" that sell it already wired, but I'd do it for you if you ordered the parts shipped to me and then payed shipping to you. I don't even think it would be worth charging for my time. Shoot me a pm if your interested, although if I get too many, I may have to rethink the setup of the process. If there is much interest at all I could order the parts and ship them and essentially sell them, but I think this is a job most folks could do if they trust themselves.

javeryh · « **Reply #22 on:** March 30, 2007, 04:24:57 pm »

Quote from: bfauska on March 30, 2007, 04:20:44 pm

I don't know of any "they" that sell it already wired, but I'd do it for you if you ordered the parts shipped to me and then payed shipping to you. I don't even think it would be worth charging for my time. Shoot me a pm if your interested, although if I get too many, I may have to rethink the setup of the process. If there is much interest at all I could order the parts and ship them and essentially sell them, but I think this is a job most folks could do if they trust themselves.

What would I have to send you? The part and my SmartStrip? I might take you up on that if I don't think I can do it myself... Thanks for the offer!

bfauska · « **Reply #23 on:** March 30, 2007, 05:41:10 pm »

The way I was thinking of wouldn't require me to have the smartstrip. It would basically put an outlet inside the cabinet hooked up to the power input part. Then you could plug the smartstrip or anything else into the outlet, this way nothing has to get hacked up to use the power input.

I think I'd like to research it some more. I don't know what the smartstrip does and if you would want a switched power input or if the smartstrip handles the switching. I'm going to read the info about the smartstrip and then figure out the parts involved in making this thing work well. I think it's probably really really basic, but since I know NOTHING about the smartstip I want to look at it before I rec comend parts for this setup.

bfauska · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2007, 08:06:03 pm »

I gave up on finding a clean way to add an outlet, it would have been more work than it was worth. The easiest way to go from the power receptacle on the back of the cab to a smartstrip would be with This part (I realize it doesn't have a switch or fuse, but with the smartstrip those would be redundant.) and the same quick disconnect crimps that we all use with the cherry microswitches on our buttons (.187)

Cut the plug off of the smartstrip (it can be easily replaced with a new one from Home Depot if you ever want to revert it back) strip the wires, apply the crimp connectors, and slip them onto the back of the power receptacle. Looking at the back of the receptacle with the center pin higher than the two side pins the connections go from left to right: Black, Green, White. It's that easy. I would seriously do it for you, but the shipping would be ridiculous for such an easy task. If you didn't want to do it I am sure you could find somebody locally that would help you out, or you could pay to ship the smartstrip to me and back.

polaris · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2007, 05:51:51 pm »

plug thing
this one seems to have a surge protector in it, thought it might appeal

mountain · « **Reply #26 on:** March 31, 2007, 10:32:48 pm »

Lizardlick Amuzements also sells a few different models too. Scroll down the page a little.

http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/electrical.shtml

javeryh · « **Reply #27 on:** April 02, 2007, 12:00:19 pm »

Quote from: bfauska on March 30, 2007, 08:06:03 pm

I gave up on finding a clean way to add an outlet, it would have been more work than it was worth. The easiest way to go from the power receptacle on the back of the cab to a smartstrip would be with This part (I realize it doesn't have a switch or fuse, but with the smartstrip those would be redundant.) and the same quick disconnect crimps that we all use with the cherry microswitches on our buttons (.187)

Cut the plug off of the smartstrip (it can be easily replaced with a new one from Home Depot if you ever want to revert it back) strip the wires, apply the crimp connectors, and slip them onto the back of the power receptacle. Looking at the back of the receptacle with the center pin higher than the two side pins the connections go from left to right: Black, Green, White. It's that easy. I would seriously do it for you, but the shipping would be ridiculous for such an easy task. If you didn't want to do it I am sure you could find somebody locally that would help you out, or you could pay to ship the smartstrip to me and back.

Thanks for the info. I'm just afraid to deal with anything that plugs into the wall. If I burned down the house I'm pretty sure what little patience for this hobby my wife has would be all but gone. I'm having an electrician to the house in a few weeks to do some work so maybe he can do it for me really quick.

bfauska · « **Reply #28 on:** April 02, 2007, 03:36:45 pm »

An electrician would have no problems knowing how to do it. I would just wonder if they would think some code applies (which it really doesn't because it's not part of the house) and do something weird or way over the top. I doubt that it would be a problem but if you get some crazed code-book thumpper who thinks that wiring components and electronics is like wiring a house he may insist on adding a wiring box around the connections or something, which is fine it's just overkill.

spacies · « **Reply #29 on:** April 02, 2007, 04:23:39 pm »

JAVERYH:

I will wire one up for you today and take some pics.
Its straight forward stuff but I understand your concerns.

Check back later.

javeryh · « **Reply #30 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:20:00 pm »

Quote from: spacies on April 02, 2007, 04:23:39 pm

JAVERYH:

I will wire one up for you today and take some pics.
Its straight forward stuff but I understand your concerns.

Check back later.

Woo hoo!!! Thanks spacies!! I would really appreciate some detailed instructions with pictures (the pics make all the difference). I'm sure it's as simple as twisting some wires together and covering them with electrical tape but I can't be too careful - especially when my lovely daughter will be playing on this thing the most!

bfauska · « **Reply #31 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:46:05 pm »

Quote from: spacies on April 02, 2007, 04:23:39 pm

JAVERYH:

I will wire one up for you today and take some pics.
Its straight forward stuff but I understand your concerns.

Check back later.

Spacies,
That's a great idea, very helpful of you. I don't know if I am going to use a smartstrip in my cab, and even if I did it probably wouldn't have dawned on me to take pictures to help explain (silly since I spend a boat-load of time at work drafting pictures for people to use as instructions to build things.) Sometimes the simplest solution just doesn't seem to come to mind ya know?

Javeryh, I completely understand your concern on this matter, even the simplest task is worth doing carfully for the safety of kids.

spacies · « **Reply #32 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:12:34 pm »

Job done.

Too easy.

javeryh · « **Reply #33 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:30:34 pm »

Awesome - thanks a lot! Now for my stupidity to really shine through...

What gauge wire are you using?

If I were to somehow touch the back of the plug where your connections are made would I get shocked if it was plugged in and running?

Can I cover all of the exposed metal in several layers of electrical tape for safety?

Since I will be using a SmartStrip, when I cut the plug off are there only three wires inside (corresponding to the three wires coming off of the back of your plug)? If so, black is ground so that should be easy but does it matter how I hook up the green and red wires? Is the inside of the SmartStrip likely to be color coded (odd question if you've never cut one open before, I know)?

THANK YOU!!!

spacies · « **Reply #34 on:** April 02, 2007, 07:03:27 pm »

Quote from: javeryh on April 02, 2007, 06:30:34 pm

Awesome - thanks a lot! Now for my stupidity to really shine through...

What gauge wire are you using?

If I were to somehow touch the back of the plug where your connections are made would I get shocked if it was plugged in and running?

Can I cover all of the exposed metal in several layers of electrical tape for safety?

Since I will be using a SmartStrip, when I cut the plug off are there only three wires inside (corresponding to the three wires coming off of the back of your plug)? If so, black is ground so that should be easy but does it matter how I hook up the green and red wires? Is the inside of the SmartStrip likely to be color coded (odd question if you've never cut one open before, I know)?

THANK YOU!!!

Dunno what gauge it is.
I buy cheap extension leads and cut them up as I need wire.
Its a LOT cheaper than buying wire lengths individually. Good tip right there, lol.

Yes you would get a shock if you touched the wires. LOL.

Your best bet would be to use some heatshrink to cover the exposed connectors or buy some connectors that have the covers already on them.

BLACK IS NOT EARTH/GROUND!!!!!

It is Neutral.

Here are the colour codes:

Red or Brown = LIVE/Phase
Black or Blue = Neutral
Green or Yellow = Ground/Earth

Ok, here's an offer for you JAVERYH.

Since I am such a good bastard and I love the attention to detail and the time and money you have put into building building Bella her very own arcade machine (and the fact that have no need for these switches anymore because I use ones with EMI filters now

), I will wire one up, put heatshrink on it and send it to you.

FREE!

Hows that sound?
Like I said in your thread, its one of my favourite builds I have ever seen on here and I am more than happy to offer you the plug as my contribution. I am sure Bella will enjoy her machine and don't forget to keep her involved with it.

PM me your details and I will fire it off from my side of the world today.

javeryh · « **Reply #35 on:** April 02, 2007, 09:42:50 pm »

Quote from: spacies on April 02, 2007, 07:03:27 pm

Quote from: javeryh on April 02, 2007, 06:30:34 pm
Awesome - thanks a lot! Now for my stupidity to really shine through...

What gauge wire are you using?

If I were to somehow touch the back of the plug where your connections are made would I get shocked if it was plugged in and running?

Can I cover all of the exposed metal in several layers of electrical tape for safety?

Since I will be using a SmartStrip, when I cut the plug off are there only three wires inside (corresponding to the three wires coming off of the back of your plug)? If so, black is ground so that should be easy but does it matter how I hook up the green and red wires? Is the inside of the SmartStrip likely to be color coded (odd question if you've never cut one open before, I know)?

THANK YOU!!!

Dunno what gauge it is.
I buy cheap extension leads and cut them up as I need wire.
Its a LOT cheaper than buying wire lengths individually. Good tip right there, lol.

Yes you would get a shock if you touched the wires. LOL.

Your best bet would be to use some heatshrink to cover the exposed connectors or buy some connectors that have the covers already on them.

BLACK IS NOT EARTH/GROUND!!!!!

It is Neutral.

Here are the colour codes:

Red or Brown = LIVE/Phase
Black or Blue = Neutral
Green or Yellow = Ground/Earth

Ok, here's an offer for you JAVERYH.

Since I am such a good bastard and I love the attention to detail and the time and money you have put into building building Bella her very own arcade machine (and the fact that have no need for these switches anymore because I use ones with EMI filters now ), I will wire one up, put heatshrink on it and send it to you.

FREE!

Hows that sound?
Like I said in your thread, its one of my favourite builds I have ever seen on here and I am more than happy to offer you the plug as my contribution. I am sure Bella will enjoy her machine and don't forget to keep her involved with it.

PM me your details and I will fire it off from my side of the world today.

Seriously? Wow! Thanks a lot!!! I'll PM you right now!!


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