Power INSIDE a roll cab?

[JKady]

I, like most auto techs, have a TON of cordless tools and lights. The shop I work in, does not have a ton of outlets for me to have all my stuff plugged in and ready. We also lack bench space so I'd rather not clog up the top of my box (KRL722) with chargers.

So, has anyone cleanly set up a way to mount a power strip inside a roll-cab drawer? Preferably without punching big holes in my 4 month old box? I know Snap-On sells the power-cab side cabinets for the bigger KRLS but even if they were available for my box, I couldn't justify spending 2800 bucks on one so soon after buying a new cab.

 

[Packard V8]

The magic word is magnets. Put a peel-n-stick magnetic strip on the back of your regular power strip and it will stay anywhere you want it.

jack vines

 

[JKady]

The magic word is magnets. Put a peel-n-stick magnetic strip on the back of your regular power strip and it will stay anywhere you want it.

jack vines

Mounting the strip itself isn't really my concern, getting the cord into the box cleanly is. Really for my application it doesn't even have to be solid mounted, it could sit in the back corner of the drawer.

Probably not practical...but how about a 12V deep cycle battery connected to a small inverter and both mounted low on the cart? This setup would be cordless and could easily power battery chargers and if the 12V battery were big enough it would only need to be charged occasionally (like maybe overnight once every week or two)

This would be in my cabinet that remains stationary so portability isn't a concern, and that would take up a lot of space that is already at a premium with the rate I buy tools and only having a double bank box.

I'm constant 110v power for lots (5-7) chargers so that I can have everything plugged in and fully charged 24/7 instead of unplugging the charger for my streamlight to plug in a drop light charger, and unplugging that later to charge a drill or impact battery etc...

 

[Bigplum]

Only real problem I see is having a loop of cable hanging inside so the drawer can open & close , placing the fixed cable should be easy enough , use lots of cable ties in self adhesive mounts .
Ventilation would a factor too , lithium's don't like heat so a bunch of chargers in a top drawer could get a bit toasty

 

[rsanter]

Buy the HF side box
Drill a hole and mount the power strip
Used the side,box to hold the batteries and the cordless,tools

Bob

 

[Matt Irvine]

I'm not sure about how to mount the strip inside the box, but you could drill a 3/8-1/2" hole in the drawer and box, poke the cord through and put the plug on once it's outside.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I was going to suggest mounting a cord reel on the end of the box but you want stuff plugged in al the time, this idea probably wouldn't work out for you. As I started to scroll down reading the other replies, I thought of another idea, just like somebody else mentioned.

Buy the HF side box
Drill a hole and mount the power strip
Used the side,box to hold the batteries and the cordless,tools

Bob

Just have one of the body shop guys mix up some paint close to your SO box, get the color close to match, then use and abuse.

 

[Catamount]

Is there a reason they need to be INSIDE of the box? If not, get a couple of these and hang them off the side. Put a couple of chargers on each one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-magnetic-hanging-tray-with-screwdriver-holder-69319.html

 

[rice rocket]

Is there a reason they need to be INSIDE of the box? If not, get a couple of these and hang them off the side. Put a couple of chargers on each one.

This 100%.

Chargers should NEVER be in an enclosed area, especially a tightly enclosed one with no airflow, and especially especially if you're using rapid chargers that put out way more heat and usually have active cooling fans.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Is there a reason they need to be INSIDE of the box? If not, get a couple of these and hang them off the side. Put a couple of chargers on each one.

Was just about to suggest this. I have some magnetic shelves on the side of my box that I set my chargers in, and they held them with the batteries just fine (18v Dewalt XRP, which are not light).

 

[JKady]

Don't have room to hang anything off the sides of my box, it's sandwiched between two other tech's boxes (our shop is TINY). Heat is a good point, I actually came across a friend selling a locker that is just the right size to sit on top of my box and I'm either going to mount my chargers to the side of that instead. I need to either put them in the box or go vertical since the top of my box and the side tray of my cart are the only flat work space I have.