Otaku's Powerstrip

Here is another great hack from Otaku!

How to hack a power strip for installation of fluorescent starter sockets:

CAUTION: This hack involves altering an AC power strip. If you are not comfortable with working with AC circuits, please do not attempt this hack. If you choose to proceed, the responsibility is yours.

This hack will only work for power strips that have individual sockets. The strips that have molded-in sockets use copper frames to distribute power to the sockets, and won't work for this hack.
I used a Belkin 6 outlet strip that I got at Home Depot for about $10. You'll need these parts:

3 starter sockets, available at most hardware or lighting supply stores

3 FS-2 starters

4-40 screws and nuts

Tools:

Small screwdrivers

Soldering iron

Wire stripper

Drill

3. Open the back of the strip to expose the sockets. Using a small screwdriver press on the tabs to release the white wires. The picture shows a black wire, but you get the idea. The white wire in the picture above is actually the wire from the starter socket.

4. The white wire called out in this picture above is the line that goes into the first socket. Pull it out of the outlet tab but leave it connected to the surge protector board.

5. Drill some holes in the side of the strip housing where you want the sockets to be attached. You'll need two holes to mount the socket and holes for the wires to go through. You can see the ends of the screws in the pics in Step 3 and 6.

6. Mark the drilling locations for the sockets. After you have the holes drilled, install the socket furthest from the power cord using the 4-40 screws. Pull the socket wires through the holes. Cut the white wire to the length needed to reach the socket tab from which you removed the original jumper wire. It's better to have a little more wire than you need – don't cut it too short. Strip about 3/4" of the end and tin the wire with solder. Leave the black wire as-is for now.

7. Repeat this process for the next two sockets. When all three are installed pull the three black starter socket wires along the inside of the strip as shown below. Trim and tin the white socket wires and insert them into the power outlets. Trim the white power strip wire to about a 3" length. Strip and tin the end of the wire. Trim the black starter socket wires to a length that will reach the white wire. Again, a little extra wire is good – don't cut them too short. Strip the ends of these wires and tin with solder.

8. If you have some heat-shrink tubing, slide a piece over the white wire as shown. Solder the 3 black wires to the white wire. Slide the tubing over the wires and shrink it. If you don't have any tubing, use electrical tape to completely cover the junction. You don't want to energize the metal housing.

9. This is what you should have when you're done. Inspect the wiring to make sure that all connections are tight and that the soldered junction is insulated. Replace the cover on the strip.

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