DIY external extension cable container

MrBrindle

Well it's getting to that time of year to put up the decs.
My partner has bought a few more outdoor xmas lights this year, but we don't have enough plugs close to windows/doors. 
Outdoor extensions seem quite expensive, especially when used for only a few weeks in a year. Has anybody fashioned something out of a water proof container / tupperware themselves? I was thinking of taking a long four way extension I have and making a hole in a plastic container / box , attaching the lights inside, and weighing it down with a brick. Possibly taping up the holes with duck tape to make extra watertight.
Anyone else done something similar?

tacpot12

Dri-boxes are so cheap that it's hardly worth bothering to make something when there is a purpose-designed product available:  
Dri-Box FL-1859-285G IP55 Weatherproof Box, Green, Medium: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

MrBrindle

tacpot12 said:

Dri-boxes are so cheap that it's hardly worth bothering to make something when there is a purpose-designed product available:  
Dri-Box FL-1859-285G IP55 Weatherproof Box, Green, Medium: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Great, thanks for this. I wasn't aware there was purpose-built thing available.

knightstyle

Our old trick was to cut the top of a plastic bottle, put a stick into the ground and put the bottle, base up onto the stick with a 4 gang and lights plugged into it up inside the bottle. 

Paula_Smith

We use a snap shut plastic food waste bin with a couple of small notches cut out to get the wire in/out - drill a couple of holes in the bottom to let any water out - all good so far. Weighing down is a good idea.

MrBrindle

Thanks for all the replies, I went posh and bought a purpose designed one off ebay. £18, and one of the last in stock - they are now nearly £50! Absurd taking advantage.

This may be an obvious one, but can I use an old extension lead? I have a few in the house. Or do I need to buy anything special to use outdoors?

Davesnave

The most important thing to consider is whether you have incorporated a 30mA RCD (trip switch) which can be bought as a plug-in addition. Then, if anything does go wrong, someone should not end up dead or injured.

Personally, I use a slightly adapted outdoor weatherproof box and stuff the whole thing into a heavy duty plastic sack folded over carefully and weighted down with a brick or two. I use an 'old' extension lead in the sense that it's probably got 20 years on the clock and remains undamaged.

tacpot12

Any extension cord can be used for temporary situations like Christmas lights. If you were going to have a longer term requirement, then an extension cord made from "Arctic" flexible cable would be required. Arctic flexible flex will not go brittle due to extended exposure to low temperatures.