recessed twistlock plug for toolbox - looking for advice

[BreeStephany]

Its been a few years since I've been in the electrical field... almost a decade come to think of it, so I am hoping some people a little more current on what device solutions are currently available could weigh in on a new project.

Just picked up a new tool box, however, it doesn't have a charging solution for my battery tools, so I would like to add a flanged male 20A 125V Hubble twistlock plug to the box - HBL2315 or similar. In the interest of space inside the toolbox, I was hoping to get away from having to mount a box to the interior of the tool box... also in the interest in not cutting out too much out of the drawer and significantly weakening its structural integrity.

I was looking at perhaps a Hubble 15deg angle metallic back box or something similar that had a 3/4" KO in the back so I could do a surface mount on the back of the toolbox, punch a hole through the box, and then a 3/4" metal cord grip / romex connector through the sheetmetal into the box and then just run my power strip cord in through that and into the hubble connector.

I am going to make a custom cord with a male 125V 20A straight blade connector to a Hubble female 125V 20A twistlock connector. If the 15deg box idea doesn't pan out, I will use a right angle female plug

Just trying to get a sense of what solutions I might have to my disposal. I tend to over think things too, so if someone has an easier solution for what I'm trying to accomplish, I would appreciate that too.

This is going to be in an shop / aircraft hanger environment, hence why I want to go with Hubble, hopefully it will put up with the abuse of a shop environment

 

[matt_i]

Imo, the PlugMold outlet is about the smallest one can go. Or, for higher density, mount a typical power strip. My guess is the power tool battery chargers don't draw a lot nor get plugged/unplugged a lot.

You could forget "standard" junction boxes and go with a retractable cord reel, change the female plug to a male and hardwire the other end thru a strain relief. THen you just drill 1 hole.

 

[ishiboo]

Its been a few years since I've been in the electrical field... almost a decade come to think of it, so I am hoping some people a little more current on what device solutions are currently available could weigh in on a new project.

Just picked up a new tool box, however, it doesn't have a charging solution for my battery tools, so I would like to add a flanged male 20A 125V Hubble twistlock plug to the box - HBL2315 or similar. In the interest of space inside the toolbox, I was hoping to get away from having to mount a box to the interior of the tool box... also in the interest in not cutting out too much out of the drawer and significantly weakening its structural integrity.

I was looking at perhaps a Hubble 15deg angle metallic back box or something similar that had a 3/4" KO in the back so I could do a surface mount on the back of the toolbox, punch a hole through the box, and then a 3/4" metal cord grip / romex connector through the sheetmetal into the box and then just run my power strip cord in through that and into the hubble connector.

I am going to make a custom cord with a male 125V 20A straight blade connector to a Hubble female 125V 20A twistlock connector. If the 15deg box idea doesn't pan out, I will use a right angle female plug

Just trying to get a sense of what solutions I might have to my disposal. I tend to over think things too, so if someone has an easier solution for what I'm trying to accomplish, I would appreciate that too.

This is going to be in an shop / aircraft hanger environment, hence why I want to go with Hubble, hopefully it will put up with the abuse of a shop environment

I think that sounds like overkill. I would go with the Noco inlet. If you are really worried about it falling out, use some double-sided velcro and make a loop to hold the cord.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ANV81S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ishiboo]

Or, come out of the box with a cord grommet and run the cord continuously from the plug outside to the power strip inside.

 

[sberry]

A simple power strip.

 

[BreeStephany]

I plan on putting in a power strip inside, I just want a plug on the back of the box instead of just a cord hanging out, as it will be moved away from the wall and out into the middle of the shop floor a lot and will have a lot of foot traffic on both sides of the box

 

[sberry]

A common plug to a strip would be as good as it got, would allow some yank potential but depending on the layout and what others have to say like a cord hanging from the ceiling, especially if it is tall. You can do the same for a tool box as this stand. It may be hard to see but there is a loop the cord drops thru. When the stand or box is directly under the cord it almost reaches the floor, as you move it the thing pays out and follows. Can move this 20 ft in rather direction and the cord is overhead, never on the floor.

Just trying to get a sense of what solutions I might have to my disposal. I tend to over think things too, so if someone has an easier solution for what I'm trying to accomplish, I would appreciate that too.

This is going to be in an shop / aircraft hanger environment, hence why I want to go with Hubble, hopefully it will put up with the abuse of a shop environment

I used your own quote, forget twist ****, use everything that is possible with a common 15A end. I used to think and do stuff like that, I just don't anymore. There needs to be an real technical need before I stray too far from easy and standard. I don't need to use every fitting they ever invented.

 

[Gttrucker]

I would put the charger in a box with ventilation outside of the toolbox (top, side where ever appropriate) to keep it from getting warm. Heat can shorten the life of batteries and chargers.