Electrical Boxes for Double Plywood Exterior Wall

[rathersmart]

Hi guys,

I am trying to install an exterior outlet and have run into an interesting problem.

For the outside wall I doubled up on plywood with OSB on the first layer and T1-11 on the outside layer. This adds up to just under 1" of total thickness for the wall.

Now when I try to put in old work boxes with the wings, the screw and the little channel that the wing goes into doesn't extend far enough to effectively secure the box.

Have any of you had to deal with that before? What was your solution?

 

[nh_yota]

Usually the old work boxes have tabs on them so you can run screws into the plywood from the front.

 

[GMCGarage]

Hi guys,

I am trying to install an exterior outlet and have run into an interesting problem.

For the outside wall I doubled up on plywood with OSB on the first layer and T1-11 on the outside layer. This adds up to just under 1" of total thickness for the wall.

Now when I try to put in old work boxes with the wings, the screw and the little channel that the wing goes into doesn't extend far enough to effectively secure the box.

Have any of you had to deal with that before? What was your solution?

drill a hole at a couple inches apart and just screw into the side of the hole.

 

[JRC3]

Go get an old school metal remodelers (old work) box. Don't use the old school bend supports and just use some drywall screws.

Here ya go. https://www.lowes.com/pd/STEEL-CITY-18-cu-in-1-Gang-Metal-Old-Work-Wall-Electrical-Box/3318546

 

[ard]

I try not to make such a large hole in an exterior wall- I surface mount a box and run a conduit ****** through the wall. Then you only have a small hole to caulk/worry about.

The bracket above we used to call "F clamps". Lots of old work boxes in plaster walls WAY before plastic boxes were made.....

 

[JRC3]

The bracket above we used to call "F clamps". Lots of old work boxes in plaster walls WAY before plastic boxes were made.....

It's what I learned with nearly 30 years ago. They are still good for something like a multi gang box with an outlet in something like a backsplash. Over time the plastic box can get lose and the clamps can keep the box from pulling when you unplug something.

 

[egdede]

These work nice:

https://www.midlandhardware.com/806...JCJdXS4AyBqSOMh7MmEchutrTs95zapYaAlXoEALw_wcB

 

[rathersmart]

thank you all for the advice!

 

[JRC3]

thank you all for the advice!

So what did you do, man?

 

[markushofer27]

If ur next to a stud use a smart box.

 

[markushofer27]

Or use an inbox

 

[rathersmart]

I actually haven't done anything yet - I was going to use the little wings on the front with a screw.

If that doesn't sit flush enough to seal with the outdoor outlet cover, I'll go with the smart boxes. Those are special order at my local HD.

 

[Git]

What boxes are you using? I usually get mine from Lowes, and they sell a couple of different types.

This is the cheaper one ($1.11 for a single gang, 14 cu in) and has screw holes in the ears. It is made out of "non-conductive PVC"

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CARLON-1-G...ard-Switch-Outlet-Wall-Electrical-Box/1098523

This is the one I buy - ($3.34 for a single gang, 18 cu in) I like these ones better. They feel sturdier, made out of thermoplastic PVC, has more space and they can handle 1" thick material

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CARLON-1-G...ork-Switch-Outlet-Wall-Electrical-Box/1057751

 

[Crazyjake8493]

When I run into that problem and already have the plastic boxes I'll just forget about the wings and use some madison straps (f-straps). You could also screw through the flange on the box, as mentioned.

 

[JRC3]

When I run into that problem and already have the plastic boxes I'll just forget about the wings and use some madison straps (f-straps). You could also screw through the flange on the box, as mentioned.

Déjà vu