Upgrading safe - power inside? Other features?

[rojo]

Hi all,

Looking to update safe for more room (more guns)… want to not go too big because of where I’m putting it, but decided would like a 150kg safe (still bolt it but options if moving etc, plus more solid without being impossible to move) so thinking size wise similar to a Spika SFABH or Lokaway LCH1… (also hopefully in that price range if possible).

However in random add pop ups (thanks internet) I have seen safes with wifi apps such as these (US site)

https://vaulteksafe.com/products/vaulte ... cification

However they don’t look solid (way less than 150kg), and smaller…

Which led me to look for something bigger with similar features (couldn’t find), which led me to this:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Lockdown-1099 ... B07YHXLPWP

Which then led me to look for a safe with power so I don’t have to keep buying batteries (could also get a dehumidifier with power if there’s power in safe).

I did see add on kits but also US plugs, but don’t want to drill a safe particularly if it has a fire rating though. Like these:

https://safesandmore.com/products/premi ... 4782975136

Only safe I could come across googling with an Australian plug was this

https://www.need1.com.au/28-Gun-Categor ... le-Cabinet

But it’s out of stock, and also a bit bigger safe than the space I want to put it in, so haven’t contacted them.

So if you’re still with me… question: is there an Australian safe similar size to the SFABH or LCH1 with a power source in it as factory?

Is it even a good idea? Anyone used a similar setup?

Do I “need it”… probably not, but thought it looked good, and probably only want to upgrade safes once, so taking my time to see what “extras” are “nice to have”.

Alternatively I did see an Australian site with power, but they also have a US plug (guess that’s “how they come” imported)… contacted them, and they said people “just use adapters”. Which I’m not keen on, as that’s an adapter inside the safe and to the wall… would it be “easy” to swap a setup like that over? I’m guessing it would not need to drill anything but possibly an electrician as it’s wiring… anyone done that?

Thoughts - am I just being distracted by “something shiny”? Any other “unnecessary features” that I should look to add :p

thank you for anyone who replies

[bladeracer]

Can't you just swap an Aus plug onto it, should only take a couple minutes?

Hi all,

Looking to update safe for more room (more guns)… want to not go too big because of where I’m putting it, but decided would like a 150kg safe (still bolt it but options if moving etc, plus more solid without being impossible to move) so thinking size wise similar to a Spika SFABH or Lokaway LCH1… (also hopefully in that price range if possible).

However in random add pop ups (thanks internet) I have seen safes with wifi apps such as these (US site)

https://vaulteksafe.com/products/vaulte ... cification

However they don’t look solid (way less than 150kg), and smaller…

Which led me to look for something bigger with similar features (couldn’t find), which led me to this:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Lockdown-1099 ... B07YHXLPWP

Which then led me to look for a safe with power so I don’t have to keep buying batteries (could also get a dehumidifier with power if there’s power in safe).

I did see add on kits but also US plugs, but don’t want to drill a safe particularly if it has a fire rating though. Like these:

https://safesandmore.com/products/premi ... 4782975136

Only safe I could come across googling with an Australian plug was this

https://www.need1.com.au/28-Gun-Categor ... le-Cabinet

But it’s out of stock, and also a bit bigger safe than the space I want to put it in, so haven’t contacted them.

So if you’re still with me… question: is there an Australian safe similar size to the SFABH or LCH1 with a power source in it as factory?

Is it even a good idea? Anyone used a similar setup?

Do I “need it”… probably not, but thought it looked good, and probably only want to upgrade safes once, so taking my time to see what “extras” are “nice to have”.

Alternatively I did see an Australian site with power, but they also have a US plug (guess that’s “how they come” imported)… contacted them, and they said people “just use adapters”. Which I’m not keen on, as that’s an adapter inside the safe and to the wall… would it be “easy” to swap a setup like that over? I’m guessing it would not need to drill anything but possibly an electrician as it’s wiring… anyone done that?

Thoughts - am I just being distracted by “something shiny”? Any other “unnecessary features” that I should look to add :p

thank you for anyone who replies

[No1_49er]

Might be a bit more than swapping the plug.
Lots of US stuff is 120v whereas Aus is generally 240v.

[bladeracer]

Might be a bit more than swapping the plug.
Lots of US stuff is 120v whereas Aus is generally 240v.

That's true but isn't the stuff inside normally dropped to 12V? I really can't think of any reason I would need power inside my safes, just put a battery operated light in there.

[rojo]

Got no idea haha. Thought I’d ask and see if anyone had done it or knew of a factory one. Worst case I realised there’s probably a mounting hole for screws - so I’ll ask if someone more handy than me could figure how to do it. Only thought of that after I posted so probably won’t have to drill a hole if one of the mentioned safes has mounting holes, use one for a cable…

Can't you just swap an Aus plug onto it, should only take a couple minutes?

Hi all,

Looking to update safe for more room (more guns)… want to not go too big because of where I’m putting it, but decided would like a 150kg safe (still bolt it but options if moving etc, plus more solid without being impossible to move) so thinking size wise similar to a Spika SFABH or Lokaway LCH1… (also hopefully in that price range if possible).

However in random add pop ups (thanks internet) I have seen safes with wifi apps such as these (US site)

https://vaulteksafe.com/products/vaulte ... cification

However they don’t look solid (way less than 150kg), and smaller…

Which led me to look for something bigger with similar features (couldn’t find), which led me to this:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Lockdown-1099 ... B07YHXLPWP

Which then led me to look for a safe with power so I don’t have to keep buying batteries (could also get a dehumidifier with power if there’s power in safe).

I did see add on kits but also US plugs, but don’t want to drill a safe particularly if it has a fire rating though. Like these:

https://safesandmore.com/products/premi ... 4782975136

Only safe I could come across googling with an Australian plug was this

https://www.need1.com.au/28-Gun-Categor ... le-Cabinet

But it’s out of stock, and also a bit bigger safe than the space I want to put it in, so haven’t contacted them.

So if you’re still with me… question: is there an Australian safe similar size to the SFABH or LCH1 with a power source in it as factory?

Is it even a good idea? Anyone used a similar setup?

Do I “need it”… probably not, but thought it looked good, and probably only want to upgrade safes once, so taking my time to see what “extras” are “nice to have”.

Alternatively I did see an Australian site with power, but they also have a US plug (guess that’s “how they come” imported)… contacted them, and they said people “just use adapters”. Which I’m not keen on, as that’s an adapter inside the safe and to the wall… would it be “easy” to swap a setup like that over? I’m guessing it would not need to drill anything but possibly an electrician as it’s wiring… anyone done that?

Thoughts - am I just being distracted by “something shiny”? Any other “unnecessary features” that I should look to add :p

thank you for anyone who replies

[rojo]

Yeah not really a “need” I guess… but the link with the safe wifi monitor looked cool, so figured if it was easy I’d have a look at it… like I said, maybe I’m just distracted by “something shiny”… never had a need in the old safe, but upgrading so seeing what new stuff there is…

Might be a bit more than swapping the plug.
Lots of US stuff is 120v whereas Aus is generally 240v.

That's true but isn't the stuff inside normally dropped to 12V? I really can't think of any reason I would need power inside my safes, just put a battery operated light in there.

[Die Judicii]

Rojo,,,,
Maybe so simple that you didn't think of it,,,,,,,,,,, Why not build your own custom safe,,, for size, fit, power, plugs etc. ???

[rojo]

Rojo,,,,
Maybe so simple that you didn't think of it,,,,,,,,,,, Why not build your own custom safe,,, for size, fit, power, plugs etc. ???

Thanks mate - looking into it but obviously if something exists then it’s probably cheaper - realistically - I don’t have those “bells and whistles” on my current safe so just buying an SFABH or similar will probably suit my needs, but I stumbled across the wifi monitoring and it looked cool… I’m easily distracted…

I see there’s another (more expensive one), after more googling with better reviews https://www.safecentral.net.au/products ... fe-monitor

So probably find the appropriate safe over 150kg that still has mounting holes and use one of those to run a wire - get an electrician (mate) to look at it (don’t wanna burn house down haha).

Might be the best option - realistically just need something bigger than my 5 gun safe and want over 150kg… all the other stuff is just cool to have but thought “why not” as I’ll probably only do this once…

[Wapiti]

What a great idea, a light in the safe that doesn't cr@p out when you need to see in there, batteries dying real quick and plastic turning into powder because it's always cheaply made chinese rubbish.
My problem is mostly the "quick grab" section up top that's used for ammo and magazines... never stays neat and all jumbled up and a light that works everytime that doesn't take up half the space would really help out.
I've used the LED tube type strip lights that plug into a powerpoint that had an inline switch, just drilled a hole in the side. Doesn't affect the safe's security but then I don't need fire-rated safes where I store them, thank goodness.

[9.3x64]

Just drill a hole in a normal safe and run a power cord through. I did it to my large fire rated safe years ago. You just make the hole big enough to just push a power cord through with the plug cut off. Since then I have run a dehumidifier and light inside. Much more convenient and I have never seen a speck of rust on anything in 25 years, and I am 1klm from the ocean.
However , I have a second safe without a dehumidifier that sits right beside it. Firearms stored in there will get corrosion unless wiped down very regularly. I don’t use that safe now for anything valuable.
The other thing to remember is I wouldn’t buy a safe with power and switches already installed if it was made overseas.
Bugger that. Buy all Australian standard power fixtures and a good dehumidifier and just drill the safe.

[Die Judicii]

Just drill a hole in a normal safe and run a power cord through. I did it to my large fire rated safe years ago. You just make the hole big enough to just push a power cord through with the plug cut off. Since then I have run a dehumidifier and light inside. Much more convenient and I have never seen a speck of rust on anything in 25 years, and I am 1klm from the ocean.
However , I have a second safe without a dehumidifier that sits right beside it. Firearms stored in there will get corrosion unless wiped down very regularly. I don’t use that safe now for anything valuable.
The other thing to remember is I wouldn’t buy a safe with power and switches already installed if it was made overseas.
Bugger that. Buy all Australian standard power fixtures and a good dehumidifier and just drill the safe.

Yes to the idea of drilling and fitting your own light or dehumidifier,,,,,, but for safety sake please fit a decent cable grommet.

As for the need of a dehumidifier,,,,,, You blokes must surely live in damp houses.

Fifteen years ago I had cause to shift out of the house and property (Sth Aust) that I'd owned for 30 plus years and never ever had any dampness in the firearms safe.

Shifted into the new house (Qld) until retiring (a further 13 years),, and never had any dampness there either.

Sold up, and shifted into town (also Qld) 14 months ago,,,,, and thus far have no signs whatsoever of any dampness in the safe here either.

[Oldbloke]

Dampness in safe is not uncommon. The easy solution is an incandescent globe,,, say 25w. Rig it via a timer, cheap from Bunnings, to just run over night.

[Flyonline]

You can buy bulk desiccant in 1kg bags that can be dried in an oven and reused repeatedly. I use these at work to keep moisture in a cool room low.

Not sure how they’d go in an ‘open’ system I.e. not airtight like a sealed cool room.

[Zappa]

Gun safes are not normally fire rated so I wouldnt stress too much about that. If I were running power to it, Id keep it away from 240v and just run a 12 power pack via.a male\female DC connector.
Laptop power supplies are beefy units that can deliver a fair amount of wattage if you're running dehumidifiers etc.. but as they're normally 18V , You'll need a dc-dc converter to run most 12v stuff.
or just buy one of these and a cheap abs case.
https://www.amazon.com.au/DIGISHUO-Tran ... B09869LGDX