How to seal off (weatherproof) wire going into outlet box

BigWaylon

BigWaylon

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Overall project is building my own 6-outlet extension cord for a generator. I’d like for it to be waterproof/weatherproof. Bought some pieces today at Lowe’s, ordered the rest from Amazon.

The box and cover are advertised as weatherproof, as are the outlets. I’ll have the plugs in the unused holes. That leaves me with entry point of the wire going into the box.

So, what’s the best way to seal this up:

91F5C326-A648-403D-9199-32AC75A70DCB.jpeg

The wire isn’t here, yet...so I’m not real sure how big the gap will be. I went ahead and ordered a bottle of liquid tape thinking maybe that would work if the gap was fairly small.

I’ve been looking for other solutions and came across this:

CD34370E-61CE-42D6-AFAE-5CCC34A770D0.jpeg

Any other ideas or experience(s) you can share?
 
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I used them doing emergency vehicle lighting, was a much nicer install for passing cable thru roofs than silicone and they don't leak or damage the wires.

Just an FYI, the nut that holds it into the box is typically sold separately.
 
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This what I ordered.

Liquid Tight Cord Connector, 0.45" to 0.71" Cord Dia., 3/4" MNPT Box Connection

CB1C3966-E835-45BA-825D-D3CCD90217AB.png



Description says:

Suitable for NEMA Type 4 and 6 enclosures, this connector provides excellent pullout strength and can be installed without disassembly. It resists saltwater, weak acids, gasoline, alcohol, oil, grease, and common solvents. The threaded body guards against skipping and speeds installation. The compression nut ratchet prevents unintentional loosening.

Does that mean I don’t need a separate nut? I’ll screw that into the box, then insert the wire and tighten the collar to keep the wire contained? I can’t tell from the pic if the washer/nut in the middle moves to tighten against the box, or if it’s a one-piece construction and I’ll snug it up against the box by spinning the whole assembly. (The installed without disassembly leads me to believe I don’t remove it and install it from the inside of the box after threading it into the hole)

Or so I need this that was under “related items”?:

A3A24423-B06F-483A-9CD8-27556CD5C1DC.png
 
In case in matters, this is the box.

E0CAF9AD-A605-452A-ACF6-E1B21ABB3D89.jpeg
 
You don't need the nut for that box, it has tapered pipe threads. Screw the piece in using the the lower " nut" from the outside of the box. Loosen the collar, slide the wire in, tighten the collar.
 
Like mentioned above no nut needed in a threaded box like that.

Just fyi you may have checked it but pay attention to wire size ranges and your diameter of wire. They sell diffrent ranges and can usually be picked up at any electrical supply house as well.
 
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Jp8819 said:
Just fyi you may have checked it but pay attention to wire size ranges and your diameter of wire. They sell diffrent ranges and can usually be picked up at any electrical supply house as well.
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Yeah, I thought about that...and picked the bigger connector. But, I haven’t seen a dimension for the cable in route. So, I’ll know when it shows up Tuesday. Hoping it’s not more than .71”, or I’ll have to come up with a new plan. :D

If the insulation is pretty thick, I could shave it down so it’ll fit.
 
BigWaylon said:
Yeah, I thought about that...and picked the bigger connector. But, I haven’t seen a dimension for the cable in route. So, I’ll know when it shows up Tuesday. Hoping it’s not more than .71”, or I’ll have to come up with a new plan. :D

If the insulation is pretty thick, I could shave it down so it’ll fit.
Click to expand...


If its 10awg SO cord you should be good with that one.
 
Jp8819 said:
If its 10awg SO cord you should be good with that one.
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It’s this one. (Item Title doesn’t match what it actually is) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZQ9QZD/

Cheaper to buy that with the intention of cutting the 3-outlet end off than it was to buy wire...not to mention having to buy an L5-30 connector.
 
BigWaylon said:
It’s this one. (Item Title doesn’t match what it actually is) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZQ9QZD/

Cheaper to buy that with the intention of cutting the 3-outlet end off than it was to buy wire...not to mention having to buy an L5-30 connector.
Click to expand...


Gotcha should be close. Only concern I would have is if your planning on leaving a cord on outside of house instead of a recepticle hook up is cable jacket over time in the sun and weather will come apart. Recepticle is more common so that cord can be removed to avoid UV damage. If cord was inside no big deal but guessing not if you needed a water tight connector.
 
Jp8819 said:
Gotcha should be close. Only concern I would have is if your planning on leaving a cord on outside of house instead of a recepticle hook up is cable jacket over time in the sun and weather will come apart. Recepticle is more common so that cord can be removed to avoid UV damage. If cord was inside no big deal but guessing not if you needed a water tight connector.
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This won’t be for anything permanent. These would be for temp solutions anywhere I used the generators and the cord would be laid out on the ground. Figured water tight would be the way to go just in case.

Cords would be wiped down and stored after use.
 
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