Box mounted plugs?

[Angelfire]

Hiya Folks,
I am installing engine heaters on our vehicles and wanted to mount the cord end of these devices in a box much like a weatherproof box. I'd then plug my extension cord from the house into this to power the units. I haven't been able to locate anything that accepts a receptacle ended extension cord to use for obvious reasons but thought I'd ask if there is such a device out there?
Cheers.

 

[nh_yota]

You're looking for an inlet receptacle.

 

[nh_yota]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004YUKT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Angelfire]

Perfect. Thank you. Half the challenge is just knowing what stuff is actually called!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

An inlet receptacle is not allowed to be used to supply power. It is only allowed to receive power.

Tommy

 

[Bert_]

An inlet receptacle is not allowed to be used to supply power. It is only allowed to receive power.

Tommy

Which is exactly what he is trying to do. Inlet on the truck to power the block heater.

 

[Angelfire]

Which is exactly what he is trying to do. Inlet on the truck to power the block heater.

Yep, this is correct.
Cheers.

 

[Mongo68]

RV stores have them with a nice little cover too...

 

[Bert_]

Local electrical supply has this BELL 5153-0 for $25

Or
PAS 5278SS for $13

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Duh. Sorry. IDK what I was thinking...

Tommy

 

[Angelfire]

Yeah now that I know what they’re called, I’m finding them quite easily!

 

[nadogail]

As a kid I recall seeing them on the backs of Firetrucks so they could be driven out of the station without first unplugging the Engine Heaters.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The ones on our fire trucks are self ejecting to avoid driving off with the cord connected.

 

[malibu101]

The ones on our fire trucks are self ejecting to avoid driving off with the cord connected.

I was curious as I'd never heard of a self ejecting electrical plug.

Very cool device- http://www.meltric.com/pdfs/self-ejecting-plugs-by-meltric_b.pdf

 

[PoorOwner]

they are great for powering sheds too if you don't want to deal with running wires underground but need power inside the shed sometimes.

 

[PassnThru]

they are great for powering sheds too if you don't want to deal with running wires underground but need power inside the shed sometimes.

That's an interesting thought. Wire in a few lights and an outlet and drag a cord out there and connect. No real danger since it only has power when you have a plug covering the terminals. I have a shed close enough to my detached garage that it would be useful for light loads.

 

[gtae07]

The ones on our fire trucks are self ejecting to avoid driving off with the cord connected.

They work unless you close the door on the cord when you’re getting in

 

[75gmck25]

Not to hijack the thread, but would a connector like this be very common on heavy duty commercial vehicles? https://www.leab.eu/en/products/plugs-and-sockets/nato-plugs-and-sockets.html They appear to be available from several suppliers.

I've considering adding one to the outside of my truck and then putting the mating end on a set of jumper cables. It would give me a very simple, reliable way to plug in cables and jump start another vehicle. I could even put a 2nd connector on the back so that I could jump start from there.

Bruce

 

[TractorJeff]

I don't know what they are called but the battery connector on a forklift is commonly adapted to use for jumper cables on tow trucks. The Northern Hydraulic catalog use to have them?

 

[Angelfire]

I ended up buying these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074T57WS6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Haven't installed yet but they seem to be pretty well built.
Cheers.

 

[ard]

The ones on our fire trucks are self ejecting to avoid driving off with the cord connected.

A friends wife treats gas station hoses the same way.....

 

[Chukster]

I was curious as I'd never heard of a self ejecting electrical plug.

Very cool device- http://www.meltric.com/pdfs/self-ejecting-plugs-by-meltric_b.pdf

LMGTFY:

Kussmaul inlets; self-ejecting inlet for Shore Power on a fire trucks & ambulances:

http://www.kussmaul.com/automatic ejectors index.html

Extension cord in it keeps the battery topped up while the apparatus is waiting. When they start the vehicle, the device spews out the extension cord end.

I can't think of a single fire apparatus not having one while I did 7-1/2 years working for the City radio shop in Raleigh, NC, among 28 stations.

 

[Glaffer]

We had those on our municipal trash and plow trucks when I worked there in the 90's. They worked fine until we has wet snow and ice build ups. They wouldn't eject and guys didn't think about them until the end of their shifts and went to plug the cords back in.