What kind of light do you use for your safe?

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levsmith

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We need a new light for the gun safe and I was just wondering what you guys use. I bought a light at walmart and it's just not bright enough for my dad. He has been looking at some push light led's online and I'm just not sold without seeing how bright they really are. So what kind of light would you guys recommend? There are no outlets in the safe so it would have to be a battery powered one. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Great question!

Although I have an outlet in my safe, I still use push light LEDS simply to avoid tangled wires and because they are convenient. I like the versatility of mounting small lights where I need them. The biggest problem I have---yet to be solved---is getting the sticky-backed lights to adhere to the carpeted walls of the safe. I also use a clip-on LED book light with goose-neck.
 
Use the under-cabinet type rope light, strung around the door opening, and connected to a switch. Works pretty well and is low cost.
 
The biggest problem I have---yet to be solved---is getting the sticky-backed lights to adhere to the carpeted walls of the safe. I also use a clip-on LED book light with goose-neck.
Velcro. They make velcro with a sticky side. Stick one part on the light, the other part on the carpet in the safe. Put a small staple on the safe piece to keep it in place.
 
Yep, LED tap lights and velcro. That is the cheapest and most affective fix for a safe will no lights.
 
Got this fluorescent light kit from Fort Knox, miniature tubes and door switch. Tried rope lights and others, none gave the brilliant light that a fluorescent does.

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Rembrandt said:
Got this fluorescent light kit from Fort Knox, miniature tubes and door switch. Tried rope lights and others, none gave the brilliant light that a fluorescent does.

Wow that looks nice. We have a florescent light in it now but its just not bright like those. Just curious though, is it battery powered? There isn't much info on them on the fort knox website, but they sure aren't cheap. Probably a little more than we want to spend.
 
Any examples of the led push lights you guys use? There are just so many to choose from. We want a bright one, thats for sure
 
I ended up buying some incandescent rope lights from Home Depot ($15 for something like 16' I believe). I wrapped them around the door flange to project the light forward. I did not put an on/off switch in because the heat from the lights will take the place of a Goldenrod or equivalent.

So for $16 I get both lights & a heater to avoid rust. Works great!
 
levsmith said:
....We have a florescent light in it now but its just not bright like those. Just curious though, is it battery powered? There isn't much info on them on the fort knox website, but they sure aren't cheap. Probably a little more than we want to spend.

No batteries, runs on 110v, not a problem because needed 110v for the Golden Rod anyway.....like other things, good quality comes at a price and sub standard is generally cheaper for a reason.
 
Rembrandt, that is a great looking safe with the lighting. Did you have to drill a hole in the safe to run the wiring to it? I've been using a flashlight with mine but I want to try something better.
 
I put those led lights in my antique breakfront so my wife can light up her stuff. They are real easy to put on with dbl sided tape, and the base slides off for battery replacement. You can try them from Home Depot, buy one and if you don't like it just return it. You will need at least 4 depending on the safe, they don't give the kind of light that Rembrandts do by any means, but if there were a blackout you could still have light. Even as backup lighting. Power is probablly the first thingto go, and even though most of us have generators, by now, they aren't any good after a week at best. My marine bud just put his 3d one in. He has 3 houses, and they sank a propane tank like the one I had for the pool heater. He can run full on 24/7 for 8 days. But like he says you can make it last a month. I just don't have 15 grand for a propane system. If I did I would rather buy more guns, lol
 
I have a directional lamp standing outside the safe that I simply click on if there is insufficient light. Much simpler and cheaper without the loss of precious cubic inches.
 
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The biggest problem I have---yet to be solved---is getting the sticky-backed lights to adhere to the carpeted walls of the safe. I also use a clip-on LED book light with goose-neck.
I'm not sure what kind you have but the ones I got came with both double sided sticky tape and a small screw. I pulled the clip off the back, drove the screw into the fiberboard and there is a slot on the back of the lights to hook it onto the screw. I could never get the sticky tape to work either but this works well.

The lights I got were from Home Depot. They came in a 3 pack, have 5 leds each and were about $30 IIRC so I got 2 packs. They have two brightness levels, tap once for low, twice for high.
I'd like to eventually wire up some florescent or rope lights so I can light up the whole thing with the flip of a switch.
 
my safe has lights in it. I just put a white tube in to replace the blue tube. Big difference. I will be replaceing the other tube soon.
 
I bought a set of six halogen undercounter pucks light with a dimmer from Lowes. A quick and easy install and lights the entire safe interior. The set was $49.00.
 
Gordon_Freeman said:
Rembrandt.....Did you have to drill a hole in the safe to run the wiring to it?

There was already a small hole provided in the safe for electrical. It only needs to be the diameter of the cord, then install ends after the wiring has been fed through the hole.
 
i did not want to install an electrical cord in my safe, due to the fact that it would breach the fire rating. with a hole in the fire proofing, its useless IMO.

i put a mirror on the backside of mine and use either ambient light from the room or one of my tac lights floating around
 
I think the florescent lights that came in my Ft Knox are the T-5,brighter than T-8 or T-12.Most safes have at least one hole in them.They handle them at the factory with a overhead crane,and a eye nut screwed into the top.Not sure what that does to the fire rating,but every one I have looked at has a hole in it.
As a electrician,I would suggest a quick trip to home depot for a look/see.This stuff changes fast and there is always something new to see.You are sure to get a few new ideas.If you decide to go the AC route,feel free to pm me if you need any advice on installation. Lightman
 
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