Hello all,

I was wondering if any of y'all have battery packs in your gun safes? I don't want to drill in this safe I'm about to buy but was a little concearned about keeping a battery pack in a safe with ammo... I can order the safe with a outlet but it's 200 bucks more. I have the led strips already... It requires 12volt, I ordered a motion sensor which uses 12in and 12out when it detects movement and I have a 12v fast blowing fuse but still seem worried about the battery. Am I being paranoid? What do you all recommend or have set up? Thanks all!

lead acid battreries will emit hydrogen in some form or another. Hydrogen is flammable and will explode in a confined space like a safe. It's the main reason safe do not use lead acid batteries.
Nickle cadmium (nicad) is safer but will heat up when recharged and retains "memory". they will go bad quicker than most batteries.

LED amp draw is minimal , stay with alkaline batteries or AC power.

If I could ask what safe your going with? Does it have a fire rating?

I have NIMH batteries and will NOT charge them in the safe, I will remove and charge. I might go with a FT Knox but shipping is kind a pricey, I might wait till I go back to the Mainland. I know it has afire rating I think 90minutes at 1200°

Keep flashlight by the safe.  Wire the 12v external, I bet the smallish power wires can be run right out the door jambs no drilling required.

Keep flashlight by the safe.  Wire the 12v external, I bet the smallish power wires can be run right out the door jambs no drilling required.

...
Yeah, keep it simple. Use a flashlight.

I dunno about wires through the door jamb. That could be trouble if the insulation gets worn and they short out the battery.
A short on even a small AA battery can get ugly.

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Yeah, keep it simple. Use a flashlight.

I dunno about wires through the door jamb. That could be trouble if the insulation gets worn and they short out the battery.
A short on even a small AA battery can get ugly.

i third the flashlight
i have a multi-mode flashlight on top of my safe
(i bought it from a forum member who assembled it from parts, but you can get them on ebay or amazon)
it has a "moonlight" mode that allows you to open the lock without ruining your night vision too much or give away your position to an intruder
by clicking on the end cap, you can make it a regular flashlight or an extremely bright one
and the battery is rechargeable

i third the flashlight
i have a multi-mode flashlight on top of my safe
(i bought it from a forum member who assembled it from parts, but you can get them on ebay or amazon)
it has a "moonlight" mode that allows you to open the lock without ruining your night vision too much or give away your position to an intruder
by clicking on the end cap, you can make it a regular flashlight or an extremely bright one
and the battery is rechargeable

...
my post is going to get slightly off track.
It is good that mac also advocates a flashlight. But it seems like a very fancy light. Maybe too fancy?

Being of an older age group, I advocate something a little simpler. And/or a second flashlight at the safe location.
Especially if you intend to get into the safe for your primary hd firearm. Kind of like a cop who carrys a backup pistol in an ankle rig.
Personally, i don't keep my primary in a safe. There are enough quick access pistol solutions available.
And while we're on this topic, I also keep tactical style flashlights all over my house.
Not necessarily because I'm a paranoid gun totin' freak.
It's because after a certain age, your night vision goes downhill....no laugh, you'll all get there one day.

...
my post is going to get slightly off track.
It is good that mac also advocates a flashlight. But it seems like a very fancy light. Maybe too fancy?

Being of an older age group, I advocate something a little simpler. And/or a second flashlight at the safe location.
Especially if you intend to get into the safe for your primary hd firearm. Kind of like a cop who carrys a backup pistol in an ankle rig.
Personally, i don't keep my primary in a safe. There are enough quick access pistol solutions available.
And while we're on this topic, I also keep tactical style flashlights all over my house.
Not necessarily because I'm a paranoid gun totin' freak.
It's because after a certain age, your night vision goes downhill....no laugh, you'll all get there one day.

yup
my primary is not in the safe
the safe may or may not have a shotgun with a mounted light
i have AA lights inside the safe and on the closet rod above the safe to help me see inside when i don't have to keep from alerting bad guys
i also have a regular surefire on top of the safe next to the fancy light
 

one flashlight is none, a dozen is like ok LOL 

there's a magnetic safe keypad LED light that can also double as an emergency light.  headlamps are cheap and come in white, red and green light.  all those are real handy to have.