How do I lock a brick plug into an outlet?
#1
01-06-20, 05:14 PM
How do I lock a brick plug into an outlet?
It's a silly question but it's frustrating. We have Logitech Harmony remotes that have a charging base. The charging cables has the same USB connector as Android devices use. I don't quite understand why the kids keep stealing them. Their tablets quit working. We took away their cell phones. But Everytime I replace the charging cable, a couple of days later it's missing. And, of course, all the kids say they didn't take it. But, does anyone have any creative ways I could lock the transformer to the wall outlet?
#2
01-06-20, 06:47 PM
As a former sneaky kid I can guarantee that any solution you come up with will be quickly overcome by kids. Unless you lock it in a combination safe. If you come up with a non-technical solution, please let me know as I have sneaky kids too.
#3
01-06-20, 08:24 PM
One solution I can think of is installing lockable outdoor in use weatherproof cover. Most of the covers will not have enough room for a USB charger, so you probably will have to replace the outlet with built in USB charger.
https://www.amazon.com/TayMac-MX3200...=fsclp_pl_dp_1
https://www.amazon.com/Taymac-MM420C...8371034&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/TayMac-MX3200...=fsclp_pl_dp_1
https://www.amazon.com/Taymac-MM420C...8371034&sr=8-4
#5
01-07-20, 05:33 AM
Group Moderator
My parents made the mistake of giving me real tools when I was 3. There wasn't anything I couldn't get into or take apart. I think discipline is your best option. If you can't enforce rules for something simple like a charger I'm afraid a lot worse is happening that you don't know about.
#6
01-07-20, 05:53 AM
But Everytime it comes up missing, I have 5 kids. They all swear they didn't take it. If I do figure out who took it, I doubt beating my kids is the answer. I can't take away their electronics seeing they don't have any. I can't think of a different punishment that would teach them not to take it.
I did think of a way to kind of lock the cable to the outlet last night. I just need to get a small cable holder thing where you feed the cable through it and then screw it to something. So, I'll feed the wire through it and then screw it to the center screw on the outlet so the USB connector shouldn't be able to pull back through it unless you unscrew it from the plate. If it still pulls through, I could get one of those things that goes around a wire that is to prevent interference so the wire now is definitely too big to pull through the loop.
I did think of a way to kind of lock the cable to the outlet last night. I just need to get a small cable holder thing where you feed the cable through it and then screw it to something. So, I'll feed the wire through it and then screw it to the center screw on the outlet so the USB connector shouldn't be able to pull back through it unless you unscrew it from the plate. If it still pulls through, I could get one of those things that goes around a wire that is to prevent interference so the wire now is definitely too big to pull through the loop.
#7
01-07-20, 06:00 AM
Group Moderator
If you can't enforce rules for something simple like a charger I'm afraid a lot worse is happening that you don't know about.
I would imagine that if you had a locking cash box, you could grind a slot in the side of the lid... run an extension cord into that slot, then just keep the charging base inside the lockbox. Or do like you say... put something inside the lockbox that you could tie a knot around... then just run the wire through the slots in the lockbox lid.
#8
01-07-20, 06:14 AM
Member
Guy's I think you're all being a bit harsh to the OP. I don't think the kids are taking it. The kids taking the USB cable then consistently denying it doesn't make sense. Maybe once or twice but not constantly. And of what purpose is there if the kids tablets and so forth are unusable because USB cords are missing.
To the OP...Do you have pets? Cats, ferrets, dog, pet rats, they all like to horde things. USB cables are cheap and plentiful. Buy a bunch of them. Or take the USB cord and keep in your pocket when not in use. Or charge the remote in a private room that's locked.
To the OP...Do you have pets? Cats, ferrets, dog, pet rats, they all like to horde things. USB cables are cheap and plentiful. Buy a bunch of them. Or take the USB cord and keep in your pocket when not in use. Or charge the remote in a private room that's locked.
#12
01-07-20, 07:33 AM
Member
I bought a special, stainless mesh charging cable. The thief becomes obvious. AND, i have USB receptacles, so the charger blog goes away, per Joed.
#13
01-07-20, 07:43 AM
Member
Just for the sake of discussion... That won't solve the problem. If in fact stealing is taking place, they will just take an expensive ss mesh cable and not bring it back. Nor will they show it. How does that solve the problem?
If the OP really wants to prevent the removal then super glue the cable to the brick.
If the OP really wants to prevent the removal then super glue the cable to the brick.
#14
01-07-20, 08:01 AM
Member
My USB phone ends are junk in about 3 months time. I vote do not glue the cables into something else, or, you will be replacing more than just the cables.
#16
01-07-20, 08:40 AM
Member
Allan/button head screw on the cover. When they figure that out in a few months, go with allen head button, with the pin in the center. And then....
#18
01-07-20, 11:34 AM
I can't think of a different punishment that would teach them not to take it.
I am curious what they need chargers for if you're telling us they have no electronics.
Astuff
voted this post useful.
#19
01-07-20, 01:28 PM
I have no idea why they need the charger. A few months ago, we caught one of the kids. They found one of the smartphones that we took away from them and that's why they stole the charger. My wife laid into her pretty harsh about it. But she now has all of those spare phones locked in a safe.
#20
01-07-20, 04:55 PM
Maybe try a harm reduction approach: create an alternative pile of alluring charging cables (thrift stores have tons) with accompanying sign? Wiley Coyote cage trap optional.
I pick my parenting battles. As my wife would say "is this the hill you're going to die on?"
I pick my parenting battles. As my wife would say "is this the hill you're going to die on?"
#23
01-11-20, 12:58 PM
I first bought a USB ac outlet, but then changed my mind and returned it.
So, I did what one person recommended and got a loopy thing to put the wire through. It's small enough that the USB end won't pull through.
Here's a link to see the pic of the outlet
So, I did what one person recommended and got a loopy thing to put the wire through. It's small enough that the USB end won't pull through.
Here's a link to see the pic of the outlet
