Simply put, I just want to temporarily pass-thru power to mini-barn.
Run extension cord from house's external 120v power outlet to mini-barn.
Plug into some sort of outlet on the outside of the barn to provide temporary power to the inside of the mini-barn.
google-fu waning...

thanks.

If the barn has no power but gets an "injection" from a cord plugged into an outlet, sure, that ought to work. But why not just run the cord into the barn, and how many things need to be temporarily powered? Watch your amperage limit on the feeder circuit.

can't drill a hole big enough hole in a wa for the smaller end of the cord and then drill a hole in a 6x6 inch piece of plywood the size of the cord, then cut the board in half and screw that over the hole ?
Or come in a window?
or dig a hole under the frame and come up inside ?

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Get a 12 gauge extension cord, too, assuming you want to power more than a few lights. Lots of draw on a long, puny cord can heat it up pretty quick.

There is no opening to just run it.

I have the barn sealed up tightly, to try and prevent bugs, rodents from entering. All crack sealed with expanding foam sealant/insulation.

I desire a more elegant way other than running it through a hole in the wall.

Push-->shove I could:
1. install regular outlet inside, wire it to
2. regular outlet outside (ground fault circuit on the opposite end of the extension cord)
3. get TWO repair plugs and wire them to one-another.
4. plug (#3) above into the external outlet (#2)
5. plug extension cord into the homemade male-to-male dongle (#3)
6. VIOLIN !

unless someone makes a male-to-male dongle and I can skip step #3 above.

[NO DONGLE JOKES PLEASE!]

OWC has a video on how to properly wire a garage door opener ....

How far (in feet) is the barn from the nearest outlet?

What you propose would work, but an extension cords with 2 male ends would have to be home-made, and would be dangerous in the wrong hands.

Quote
flareslow
How far (in feet) is the barn from the nearest outlet?

What you propose would work, but an extension cords with 2 male ends would have to be home-made, and would be dangerous in the wrong hands.

How about something like this?

Did I miss where he wanted a VGA signal in his barn?

Boat US or other marine stores have shore power connectors and cables for 30 and 50 amp service.

your jokes made me LOL ! Thanks people.

marine --> good idea; and for my sprinkler pump too.

RV supply stores have connectors too.

[www.amazon.com]


Look for flat panel TV power relocation kits, although they tend to be pricey.

As mentioned by Dik2, Boat and RV options will probably be more weatherproof.

DO NOT MAKE A MALE TO MALE EXTENSION CORD!!! That could prove dangerous to anyone who doesn't realize what it is, or even if you just forget for a second.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2011 10:04AM by Gareth.

Every Christmas, hardware stores around the country post signs noting that there is no such thing as a male-to-male extension cord. People get the lights all stapled to the roof and then look at the end of the string nearest the plug . . .

yesh.. the availability of such cables is deeply illegal in the US. 'cause they are by their nature dangerous as heck.

Seriously... running power to an outbuilding is NOT hard.. the worst part is digging the trench for the plastic conduit !

thanks for all the advice.
I am surprised that anyone minds if I endanger myself.
(oh, I know, you were concerned someone ELSE would get hurt by my stupidity... not me)

Ok. I'll trench it. There is just my natural gas, electricity, phone, and something else from here to there. That'll be better.