Spacehog 2,219 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I just bought a Liberty "Colonial" 50 safe to replace my cramped Walmart gun cabinet. It has the power outlet inside and I have used LED rope lights for lighting. I don't really care for the results. Lighting is just too dim. I was wondering what you guys have done. Any DIY advice or established product recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I keep a flashlight on the top of mine.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Long Shot 1,287 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Liberty now sells an LED strip set up that works good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrThunder88 912 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 My local Aco Hardware had some battery-powered fluorescent lights. They're about a foot long and are nice and bright, which was not the case with the LED light I tried earlier. They run on 4 AA batteries, but they also have a 6V DC input if you have a spare adapter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VR762Shooter 838 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I plan on picking up 2 of those LED tap lights and using velcro to stick them up top. Theyre pretty bright and with velcro u can replace batteries pretty easy 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I had tap lights in mine but I kept forgetting to turn them off. I'm going to attach a switch to the door and install 110v power, instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
obiwanbonjovi 337 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I bought a ten pack of little leds with a magnet switch, they were $20 for 10 but I can't find them again, they have a magnet that when you pull th magnet away the light comes on. I mounted them on the bottom of my top shelf and put the magnets on the door, worked like a charm. it was these http://www.airyear.com/auto-magnetic-switch-cabinet-led-light-3-x-lr44-p-24686.html but I had to use 2 on the top and 6 under top shelf to get enough light. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I've got a lightning rod on mine. Oh, and a flashlight like Juggs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,219 Posted August 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I keep a flashlight on the top of mine.. I've got a lightning rod on mine. Oh, and a flashlight like Juggs. With two girls in the house, operational flashlights are like a fart in the wind at my house. Most of the time they disappear, the ones that remain don't have any gas left in 'em. I was going to go with a straight 24 " fluorescent, similar to what I had in the cabinet, but with the fireboard there is not a recess at the top of the safe, and you can see the light which blinds you to everything else in the safe. I did look at the lighting kit offered by Liberty, I just can't make myself drop 150 bucks on a light setup when as so poigniantly stated, a flashlight will serve the same purpose. It looks as though the thin LED light strips made specifically for safes may be the way to go. I found these while searching. Anyone have any experience with them? www.litetechauto.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LED_Safe All great suggestions. (except for maybe the lightning rod) Sorry Tim. Thank you for the input. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
6500rpm 670 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Home Depot/Lowes has L.E.D. magnetic puck lights that I use in mine. I stick them to the shelf track/ top shelf. You can move them around as desired or hold them by hand and they time out after 20 min to prevent killing the battery. $20ish for 2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I keep a flashlight on the top of mine.. I've got a lightning rod on mine. Oh, and a flashlight like Juggs. With two girls in the house, operational flashlights are like a fart in the wind at my house. Most of the time they disappear, the ones that remain don't have any gas left in 'em. All great suggestions. (except for maybe the lightning rod) Sorry Tim. Thank you for the input. I know what you mean about kids and flashlights. My two year old grandson loves them so I bought him his own. That's worked so far. My bad on the lightning rod. Guess I should have noticed the "n" before purchasing it. Still, I figure the safe should be a safe place during thunderstorms. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I believe I've seen aftermarket cabinet LED lighting systems complete with switches too... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 LIke Jugger, I too keep a flashlight on top of the safe. The idea of having live electronics in the safe has always concerned me. If someone wanted to be a dick, they could feed your save a bunch of amps to set it on fire internally. SO could G-d with one good lightning strike. Instead of golden rods, I use silica gel. Instead of internal lighting, I use a good flashlight and bright room lights that lights up most of the safe when the door is open. If you really want to install lights, I would think the safest thing would be a LED dc powered light similar to the tap lights. Even then, you have acid packs in your safe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,219 Posted August 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 LIke Jugger, I too keep a flashlight on top of the safe. The idea of having live electronics in the safe has always concerned me. If someone wanted to be a dick, they could feed your save a bunch of amps to set it on fire internally. SO could G-d with one good lightning strike. Instead of golden rods, I use silica gel. Instead of internal lighting, I use a good flashlight and bright room lights that lights up most of the safe when the door is open. If you really want to install lights, I would think the safest thing would be a LED dc powered light similar to the tap lights. Even then, you have acid packs in your safe. Stryker, those are all valid points, some of which I did not previously consider. I currently have it plugged into a surge protector which is in turn plugged into a GFCI receptacle. However in the remote chance that a fire did start in the safe it would not be good. I may have to do some additional thinking. Thanks for helping me reconsider the way I need to approach this. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Take it with a grain of salt! I'm sure goldenrod and all the other companies out there have tested their stuff. I'm just a little extra careful with my safe. Weakest point on a vault is the electrical and ventilation system. I would think that applies to a safe as well. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lone Eagle 839 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 (edited) Best of both worlds. I picked up a few LED flashlights/worklight combos from Harbor Freight. They have a 3 LED flashlight, 24LED worklight, and a magnet on the back as well as a fold away hook. Go to harborfreight.com and look up item number 67227. I caught them on sale for $2.99, and have an inside track club membership that got me 50% off that. ETA: they on sale for $3.49 right now. Edited August 21, 2012 by Lone Eagle 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 If someone wanted to be a dick, they could feed your save a bunch of amps to set it on fire internally. SO could G-d with one good lightning strike. Mine is a safe safe then. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Syndicate 812 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 (edited) never thought a safe was prone to this type of paranoid type of reasoning. I suppose a coyote could come along and hoist it up and try and drop it on you as well. I've never heard of a spontanious safe shootout/explosion, for sure with as many gun boards as I have been on and am on, I would have heard of some crazy ass scenario once. *shrugs* not trying to be trolly on this, but ya so aside from crazy what ifs, any hard data or photo evidence to support these claims of a safe going nuke? found one, but not to much hard info http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2012/02/man-wife-safe-after-gun-cabinet-explosion.php loud pop, small fire that was put out with ext. I think most of us are not dumb enough to put oil soaked rags in a confined space.... Edited August 22, 2012 by Syndicate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrThunder88 912 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 That reminds me, my oily rag pile is getting pretty big. I need to move it out from between my sawdust bin and leaky drum of naphtha. If someone wanted to be a dick, they could feed your save a bunch of amps to set it on fire internally. SO could G-d with one good lightning strike. Mine is a safe safe then. When Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod, some pastors condemned it as circumventing their god's ability to strike down the unrighteous (or their houses) with bolts from the blue. So I don't know if keeping things attached to the mains out of one's safe would be preventing said god's wrath or inviting it. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 (edited) never thought a safe was prone to this type of paranoid type of reasoning. I suppose a coyote could come along and hoist it up and try and drop it on you as well. I've never heard of a spontanious safe shootout/explosion, for sure with as many gun boards as I have been on and am on, I would have heard of some crazy ass scenario once. *shrugs* not trying to be trolly on this, but ya so aside from crazy what ifs, any hard data or photo evidence to support these claims of a safe going nuke? I think most of us are not dumb enough to put oil soaked rags in a confined space.... I'm not at all paranoid (on this particular subject leastwise) but figure if you've got a rod, ground it. Neither am I concerned about malevolent coyotes but do suppose a really buff gorilla could lurk behind the safe and push it over on me when I open the closet door. Nah, ain't gonna happen. That reminds me, my oily rag pile is getting pretty big. I need to move it out from between my sawdust bin and leaky drum of naphtha. If someone wanted to be a dick, they could feed your save a bunch of amps to set it on fire internally. SO could G-d with one good lightning strike. Mine is a safe safe then. When Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod, some pastors condemned it as circumventing their god's ability to strike down the unrighteous (or their houses) with bolts from the blue. So I don't know if keeping things attached to the mains out of one's safe would be preventing said god's wrath or inviting it. Great, now I am paranoid. Still, I am pretty self righteous so I should be OK. Edited August 22, 2012 by TacticoolTim 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,219 Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 (edited) That reminds me, my oily rag pile is getting pretty big. I need to move it out from between my sawdust bin and leaky drum of naphtha. If someone wanted to be a dick, they could feed your save a bunch of amps to set it on fire internally. SO could G-d with one good lightning strike. Mine is a safe safe then. When Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod, some pastors condemned it as circumventing their god's ability to strike down the unrighteous (or their houses) with bolts from the blue. So I don't know if keeping things attached to the mains out of one's safe would be preventing said god's wrath or inviting it. Oily rags, sawdust, and a leaky can of Naptha.....LOL you guys are killing me. Thanks for the laugh this morning. Then safe is in the basement anchored into the concrete floor with (4) 5/8" x 6" redhead bolts....so I guess I have four lightning rods in mine. Sincerely, Wiley E Coyote Edited August 22, 2012 by Spacehog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Syndicate 812 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ya I typically keep big bottles of amonia and bleech in leaky containers in mine, and for shits and giggles I have the bottom covered with strike anywhere matches, oily rags, cans of butune, signs that say "fuck you lightning," and scores of old firecrackers and sparklers.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VR762Shooter 838 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 In case of an emergency I need some matches in there, you know candles and what not, and I also figure if SHTF I need some gas, so a few 5 gallon drums of gas waiting for me in the gun safe with the matches is perfectly fine...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,219 Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ya I typically keep big bottles of amonia and bleech in leaky containers in mine, and for shits and giggles I have the bottom covered with strike anywhere matches, oily rags, cans of butune, signs that say "fuck you lightning," and scores of old firecrackers and sparklers.... Now Syndicate that is just irresponsible and unsafe! I hope you have warning labels on the outside of your safe so that if some poor sap is trying to break into it, they don't blow themselves up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Nothing paranoid about superior security. Some people put lots of different stuff in safes. I grew up around safes and vaults of the finest caliber. There were rules to be followed. The goldenrods can take out too much humidity from the safe and crack some of the fancy stocks. Browning had this really cool wood that I think sat in salt water. You had to keep on the rifle so it wouldn't mess up the blue. It was sensitive to proper humidity levels. The silica didn't remove all the humidity. Silica was used based on the size of the container. Documents that can't be replaced have no place next to electrical circuits. I'm quite familiar with electricity and have yet to find a circuit that wont fail. Batteries should be removed from devices if stored in your safe. Not only can they fail and leak, they constantly gas off caustic fumes that will eventually affect your bluing on the rifles, but will almost instantly effect metals like silver coins and high carbon steel used in blades. Do whatever you want with your safe. Being extra safe with your safe is not paranoid. It's smart. I wont take offense to the comment of paranoia because I will be prejudice myself and assume that anybody who thinks being smart is paranoid probably owns a Chinese safe that isn't even bolted to the floor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Syndicate 812 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 I understand the difference between safe and smart, but every bad scenario isn't going to happen all at once. a GFCI compliant recepticle (you could even one up to a hospital grade) and then a power strip external to the safe would be a perfect double redundancy, and LEDs are the way to go, I wouldn't want batteries in my safe either, but optics with batteries? do you remove them? Typically for myself I only have those optics on weapons that I use more. I'm not a "safe expert" by far and not going to claim to be, but for moisture I would depend on passive measures primary then active ones secondary (which I do, silica, and then a rod attached to a hygrometer with a switch that turns it on if it gets to high, I wish I came up with this, a friend did, it's even on my wifi). I don't have lighting in my safe, I didn't feel like going through the trouble, I have a LED strip with flourescent bulb I made on a gimble type arm on my desk that I use for drafting and story boards or what have you, it's right next to my safe (which is USA made and bolted to the floor). I only keep a few things in there though (mostly my father's stuff, but a few things for my brother, bestfriend and myself). For most of my stuff I have a safe door and frame I installed on a walk in closet that has been fireproofed a bit, its on a basement floor and has 2 concrete walls. I'm familiar with current as well after interning for a while with a friend that built in home/ and professional studios, having to protect equipment that was crazy expensive, I'm talking $30 gs on a turntable crazy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,219 Posted September 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2012 Here is the final product: Used Lite Tech Auto and spent about $65 including shipping. It is a 12 V system and includes a door pressure swith and battery override. I am very happy with the lighting system even though it took about a month from order to receive the product. The pics really don't do it justice. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squishy 1,149 Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 Sweet, I need a safe like that. Mind if I ask? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,189 Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 7 guns in a 50 gun safe??? what would you do if you had to put a LONG rifle in there? my 50 BMG wouldnt fit without fucking up your whole plan... you need room for a 51" tall rifle... I have two 30-40 gun safes and I cant even FIT all mine in them.... and thats JUST GUNS... no ammo... no NOTHING else... take ALL the dividers OUT... because that is extra room that the guns NEED... MOST guns in silicone gunsocks... half the guns have to be stacked upside down to make sure theres enough room for them all to hang out together.... and lighting??? YEAH RIGHT! theres no room for lighting... and even if there was... most everything is in a sock... you gotta KNOW whats what, whats where, and which ones you gotta move to get to the one you want... and dont you DARE try to put them back in OUT OF ORDER... or you get to remove them all and try again... or the door dont close... ASK ME HOW I KNOW??? What it really boils down to... is I need another SAFE!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squishy 1,149 Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 Such is the life of a "collector". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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