How to get an electrical cable into the WSM

[Geir Widar]

Sometimes it would be great to have 220/110v mains available inside the WSM, to use for soldering irons and small electrical ovens, as an example. There is a problem- the plugs are too big.

Here is one way to do it.
First of all, let me write something about safety. This can be done in a safe way, or in several dangerous ways. If you do not understand anything about electricity, amperes, grounding and so on, the best thing might be to not make a cable like this. But if you plan the placement of the terminals to avoid the possibility of getting contact to live current, and observe a few safety rules, this cord is not dangerous.
Please use professional grade crimping pliers to ensure good connections.

- Never connect the cord to anything before you install the cord inside the WSM, always disconnect the cord before removing the cord from the WSM
- Never use the cord with coals in the WSM
Never use cord with units that use a lot of amperes, use it only for small fans, soldering bolts or very small electrical heaters, up to a couple of hundred watts.
- Use the cord for this purpose only.

Now here's the deal, the terminals are small enough to enter thru the vent holes in the WSM.

I'm sure you figure out the rest.

Large: http://sportsfiske.nu/foto/arkiv/47114/116401.jpg

 

[Larry D.]

If you do this (and I'm not saying you should, or should not), be sure you only power this cord from an outlet that is protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). All outdoor outlets, and outlets in a garage, in newer houses (in the US, at least) probably are so protected.

 

[Geir Widar]

Sure, excellent advice. Using mains electricity outdoors in a metal unit not ment to be used for this is not totally safe, but as far as I can see, this cord is safer than pinching the cord between any of the WSM parts.
I did not mention ground- fault circuits, simply because I had no idea if you have them or not.

As I have mentioned before, a bit av knowledge and some safety rules are recuired for safe operation, but that will apply to any combination of WSM+ mains power.
This is not ment to be a permanent setup, but is ment to be used for a few hours each year, and stowed safely away for the rest of the time.

Look closely at the terminals. It is not possible to connect them in the wrong order, even if you are stupid enough to oversee the color codes.

The blue terminal (ground) is larger than the red ones, and then there is no way to connect the ground to the live wires.

 

[RichPB (richlife)]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Geir Widar:
...
Look closely at the terminals. It is not possible to connect them in the wrong order, even if you are stupid enough to oversee the color codes.

The blue terminal (ground) is larger than the red ones, and then there is no way to connect the ground to the live wires. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Geir, I have many European friends and they have all asked me to help correct their English (or American) if needed, so I suspect you won't mind. Your use of the word "oversee" was either incorrect or a mistake -- it should be "overlook".

Let's see, Germany, Spain, Italy, England, France, Switzerland and now... Norway

.

Rich

 

[Chris Allingham]

Not sure I see the need to run a power cable through a vent hole when you can run it through the access door opening and close the door over the cable. The aluminum door is springy enough that it's not going to hurt a power cord.

You can see a photo of this in the Smoked Tomatoes article, 9th photo down the page.

Am I missing the point?

Regards,
Chris

 

[Geir Widar]

RichPB, no, i don't mind at all. It was a mistake.

mr Allingham, I have a 22", and can't mount my door upside down. I was afraid that I would bend my carefully shaped and non- leaking door if I tried to run the cable through the access door. When cold smoking, the idea is to make the WSM as airtight as possible.

But as I have already noted, my idea is only one way of getting power inside the WSM. Other methods might be just as good, by all means.

 

[Wolgast]

Geir looking at the options,and your setup.

I think that is a great way of doing it. You could get all cabels in a "sockerbit"(swedish word)(conector?) and then its even better to plug/unplug.

But i know you wont parallel the cords. So its a nice setup. Might do the same aswell.

And its the same with all new WSM the door cant be up side down.

Rich: im another problem

Feel free to Correct me But i spend alot of time posting! And it will take up all your free time to correct it.

Have a great weekend all of you!

 

[RichPB (richlife)]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wolgast:
Geir looking at the options,and your setup.

I think that is a great way of doing it. You could get all cabels in a "sockerbit"(swedish word)(conector?) and then its even better to plug/unplug.

But i know you wont parallel the cords. So its a nice setup. Might do the same aswell.

And its the same with all new WSM the door cant be up side down.

Rich: im another problem

Feel free to Correct me But i spend alot of time posting! And it will take up all your free time to correct it.

Have a great weekend all of you! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sure, Wolgast. Let me start by saying that you mispell your name -- should be Wolfgast.

(You may remember that at first I misread it that way.)

My favorite story about helping friends with their English was when riding around Rome with my good friend Fabrizio. I had a bit of trouble teaching him to properly pronounce the uniquely Southern phrase "pick'm u-up tru-u-uk". Try THAT in Swedish.

Rich

 

[Chris Allingham]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wolgast:
And its the same with all new WSM the door cant be up side down. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>All new 22-1/2" WSM have rounded access opening at the top, not the 18-1/2" WSM...unless someone has received one and I've not heard about it.

Regards,
Chris