Seal Holes in Wooden Box

[BKennedy]

Hello,

Can someone pls recommend a way that would allow me to submerge a pump underwater in a box so that the power cord is able to come out the side and the water would stay inside. Could I drill a hole for the cord and then use some type of gasket and/or waterproof epoxy combination to leave the water in the box and allow me to plug in my pump? The idea of having water run down the cable and into the outlet is prompting my to investigate this a little further. Any ideas or any links will help. Thanks.

-BK

[Chris Merrill]

As long as you make the hole larger than the cord, you shouldn't have any problem getting water to stay inside. ;)

[ELA]

I was going to suggest you go to a local electrical supply and get a weather proof cord grip but these are threaded where they would enter a METAL box. However, I thought of another way . . cut a couple of pieces of inner tube about 2-3" round/square. Pierce the center of them with an awl or nail etc. and push the cable throught the hole (no plug on end). You can put silcone seal around the edges of the pieces and screw them down to your box with wood screws and washers.

ELA

[Fred the Red Shirt]

There is something similar to this, I dimly remember it being called a bulkhead fitting. It is threaded with a nut that goes in thei inside and a gasket to seal the outerpartr against the side of the box.

These are intended to be waterproof for situations like rain or being hosed down, not for submerged operation but it might be adequate for a shallow depth.

Silicone sealant does wonders too.

BTW, there are submersible pumps made for this sort of duty are there not?

[BKennedy]

Actually, I'm looking for a way to get the power cord for the submersible pump back out of the box without a) having to go back over the top, and b) not let a stream of water invade my outlet. ;) I've heard this could cause problems.

Anymore ideas?

[Tom]

We need a better picture of what you're trying to do, I guess. ALL the details of what you're trying to accomplish, and why. See, we wanna help...Tom >Subject: Re: Seal Holes in Wooden Box

Someday, it'll all be over....

[Alan McClure]

Besides all the other good ideas given to seal the hole, here's one other suggestion.

Make your power cord at least two feet longer than needed and let it hang BELOW the outlet (this is called a drip loop). If any water flows down the cord it will drip off the loop and not travel up to the outlet.

If the water still gets up to the outlet you have other problems ;-) ARM

[A Dog Named Stain]

You need what is known as a cord seal. They're made to screw into brass/bronze junction boxes but you could epoxy or silicon one into wood or use some gaskets when you thread it on (with a nut). Here's a link: