home made!!!gun safe lighting system

[qennis]

here is a lighting system that I installed in my browning safe.
It works better than anything that I have seen for sale and cost way less.

If you want to install one in your safe, this is what I used:

(2) 18 ft sets of rope lights...get them from wal-mart $8 each
(1) motion detecting light switch $15 at wal-mart
total cost= less than $35...you can't beat that, and it looks great.

I ran all the wirers through 1/2" pvc pipe (i had laying around)to clean up the loose wires.
now when i start to open the door the light comes on automatically.

If you would like to add this to your safe let me know and I would be glad to help any way I can.

 

[james56]

nice idea! Why 2ea. 18ft rope lights would one be enough? Where do you place the motion detector? Was thinking of doing lights also. I didnt have it figured out yet. I didnt see the pvc in there must have hidden it good.
thanks
james

 

[target tech]

I used the same light rope, looped back and forth on both sides of my safe. For a switch though, I used a standby compass light switch for a Douglass DC-10, mounted on a "homemade" bracket......7075-T6 extrusion.....and wired it all in with some 18ga twisted pair milspec wire. When I worked for the Evil Empire, it did have its advantages. But alas, now they are gone.

 

[qennis]

the motion detector is at the top of the bottom shelf...I put in 2 sets of lights because one set was not bright enough for my liking...the pvc runs from the front bottom left to the back, you cant see it because it is not in the pic...the picture is poor i am tring to figure out how to take a better picture

By the way I used the little things that you zip tie cords to, they have very strong double sided tape that comes on them.

I also wired my dry rod into this so that it stays on all the time and installed a thermometer/hygrometer it keep an eye on the temp and humidity...it stays a constant 68 degrees in there with anout 40% humidity

 

[84CJ]

Your Golden Rod or dry rod should stay on 24 7 to work properly.

 

[m657]

so the inside power source is gang plugged into the heat rod? By what kind of adapter? I'm concerned of overheating, etc.

 

[Rule3]

How do you get the power cord from the outlet into the safe?
Drill a hole in the safe?????

 

[qennis]

Your Golden Rod or dry rod should stay on 24 7 to work properly.

the golden rod does stay on 24-7; I wired it straight to the the power cord, before the motion detector

 

[qennis]

so the inside power source is gang plugged into the heat rod? By what kind of adapter? I'm concerned of overheating, etc.

I used an older heavy duty extension cord that I cut the end off. It wont over eat because it is not drawing that many amps (only about 6 amps)
I ran the through the hole in the back of the safe.
I cut the plug off of one set of rope lights and wired it to the motion switch, then attached the other end of the rope lights to the other set of rope lights to make one long strand.

To clean up the the cords I and make things look neat I ran them through 1/2" pvc...I will try to post better pictures.

 

[qennis]

How do you get the power cord from the outlet into the safe?
Drill a hole in the safe?????

My safe came with a small hole in the back to run a power cord for a dry rod.

 

[ncy54]

Nice set up, but you need more handguns. There's still some room in there....

 

[sigp220.45]

Thanks, gennis - you've inspired me to give it a try. If I burn my house down it'll be my own damn fault.

 

[flagman1776]

I used a used aquarium lamp with a reflector in the top of my Browning safe... ran power through the hole & threaded a cable clamp in there. I assembed a 2 outlet box inside the safe.
I also have a safe-safe with no hole... I am stymied at getting power in there. I want to build drawers in there with slide out hardware.
Russ

 

[cobra44]

I like it. I am going to try something like that.
Question is - like a frig, how do you know the light goes off when you shut the door?

 

[james56]

do you have a soruce for hard ware and draw's or plans Ive got all kinds of wood working equipment Ive picked up in garage sales all around here now I need some inspriration to do some projects like what your talking about. Help!!! lol I have too much time on my hands

I used a used aquarium lamp with a reflector in the top of my Browning safe... ran power through the hole & threaded a cable clamp in there. I assembed a 2 outlet box inside the safe.
I also have a safe-safe with no hole... I am stymied at getting power in there. I want to build drawers in there with slide out hardware.
Russ

 

[whitecoyote]

so the inside power source is gang plugged into the heat rod? By what kind of adapter? I'm concerned of overheating, etc.

Well hopefully you have a fire-proof safe.
That way the fire will stay contained within the safe!

 

[DaveB57]

Thanks for the Idea...

Just finished my simple little rope lighting installation...I have a small safe that I keep in a dark closet & been struggling to see without flashlight. Added a switched single gang outlet above the safe w\ 4' grounded extension cord feeding a 9' length of LED rope light...installed in an upside down U-Shape just behind door frame. I do not like to look at the light, just wanted to "cast" the light @ the contents. May not show up well in this picture, but works absolutely perfect for about $50.

 

[max]

I did something similar about 15 years ago. I ran my cord through the hole in the back of the safe. I didn't use a switch, I just plug it in when I open the door.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I mounted some velcro on the inside of the door and attached a battery operated push type light and a flourescent.

Batteries last a long time and these lights have an auto shut-off should you forget and leave them on.

 

[rnj1950]

I just saw your post and would to see some pics. I just purchased my safe and need to add some lighting but haven't seen anything I really like that isn't sky high. My email is [email protected]. Any pics, shopping lists, etc would be appreciated. Thanks