Customer Reviews

Vanco RL125024-WH Rapid Link Power (White)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wanted to wall-mount a flat panel TV above my entertainment console without seeing the unsightly power cord connecting to the TV and this is exactly what I needed. I had to also install separate wall plates to hide the other low voltage cables behind the wall.

Originally, I had planned to tap off the electrical outlet at the base of the wall and install another live outlet higher behind the TV, but the problem with that is you can't buy a surge protector less than about 2 inches thick and I wanted to install my TV closer to the wall. However, with this product you can connect the TV to ANY surge protector / power conditioner by placing the conditioner at the floor level or inside your entertainment center and have protected power behind the TV. There are a few other similar products that do the same thing as this, like Powerbridge, but I chose this one by Vanco since it had two outlets on top which allow flat plugs to fit inside the recessed opening. It also gives you the flexibility to power something else beside the TV if needed in the future.

If you could purchase each of the components of this package separately (which you can't - that's where they get you), it would cost less than $20 but this cost more than double that when you include shipping and tax. However, the price is in line with other similar products so I can't fault Vanco too much for wanting to maximize their profit.

The only item missing which is needed for the install is Romex wire only costs $0.60 a foot. One more bit of useful info is that the single gang boxes used are only 14 cu in. which is a good thing. It makes it a little tight when trying to fit the wires and the plugs inside the boxes, but in my case, my wall depth was fairly shallow and this box just barely was able to fit inside the wall. The most common single gang box I found in hardware stores were 20 cu in which were too deep to fit in my wall (they didn't even sell the 14 cu in size).

I'm not afraid of electricity, but I am also not an expert. I wanted something to hide my wires for my Flat Panel TV. What is the point of having a fancy flat panel, if you have to see wires dangling, or have a track for wires going down the wall? It is just an aesthetic eyesore that will ruin your nice decor.

After searching high and low for a power cable to push through the wall, I found out that it wasn't recommended. It turns out that your wiring inside your wall is a 'non-flexible' material, as opposed to the wiring to the wall. Local codes and NEC (National Electrical Code) say that you should never do this.

I found this product after a prolonged search. There were others that were more expensive, but this one seems to be just right.

The hardest part of this installation, for me, was cutting the holes in the wall. I had never cut holes in the wall using a Jab Saw, so I had to buy one, and figure out how to use it. I really recommend getting one for the job, the saw makes it simple. Just remember to let the saw do the work, and use the back and forth motion.

This product comes with a brilliant packaging, that also seconds as the perfect template to draw your holes. It comes with everything you need, except the tools and in-wall wiring. My guess is that you probably should go to a local home store to buy wiring anyhow, just to ensure you get the right code.

Fishing the wire is easy, but keep a few things in mind. It is easiest to fish wire directly below to a hole that is lined up with it. You can reach in and pull it out. Probably not a bad idea to turn the electricity off before you mess with it. If you need to have the two holes on different parts of the wall, this could cause trouble if you don't get them in the same 'receptacle' or 'well,' between two studs. You may end up in a situation where you can't easily fish through, and may even need to drill a hole in the stud. For ease, I just cut a hole one above the other. Since it is recommended that you plug this into a surge protector, you don't have to line it up right next to the plug.

Once the holes are cut, and the wire is run, push the electrical boxes into the holes, and turn the screws. This in turn makes the wings close in on the sheet rock. It is important to test it out beforehand if you haven't done this before. Just try it a bit with a screwdriver and note which direction the screw needs to turn. I think it is always right, but I ended up dropping a few into the wall before I figured that out.

Once you have the boxes in and the wires through them, you just push the wires into the color coded holes, and turn down the screws. Finally plug in the provided power cable to the surge protector, and you are done!

You should probably test the socket out with a tester before you plug in your $1000+++ tv set. But the process couldn't be easier.

I'd give this a moderate difficulty level, but with enough research and reading the instructions, and watching the online video. It is a snap!

The best part is, I now have no wires hanging down from my tv, and I can hide the sockets behind the furniture that I plan to get for the devices.

I can't recommend this product enough!

The product was just as advertised. It looks great when installed. It has worked well for almost a year now.

Good product. Relatively no trouble. Wall cover for plug did not have a flushed fit but other than that. It works.

This is a must for hanging a flat screen on a wall. Bought a new tv and had a handyman/electrician give me an estimate to mount a plug behind the tv, was over 200.00 plus my painting the wall and baseboards after he was done.
Got this product and had it installed and tv running in less than an hour and saved a lot of money.

Great product. Does exactly what its supposed to do and really makes for a custom install of a flat panel TV on a pre-existing wall. I combined it with required ROMEX plus an HDMI wall plate for a complete install and it took only 2-3 hours from start to finish !! (Im good, it made me look even better...oh yeah.) Measure and cut the wall, run the wires, install the 2 wall plates - all easily and safely !! ( always check local elec codes). Quality of the wall plates are good and they easliy attach to wall studs and electrical boxes for a total professional install where applicable. Just A Perfect Solution for NOT having to mess with 120VAC electricity in existing walls. Includes a small HiQ extension cord which is great for initial install while you figure out your power distribution & conditioning needs, etc... Love it.

Been using this for 6 months. I wanted to hide the power cable in the wall and be able to plug the TV into the power conditioner in my media room. This allowed me to do that. It installed easy and works. I subtracted one star because the build quality is a little flimsy, but once installed, who cares? I would buy this again.

Like the other reviewer, I was not supplied with tracking information, but I received it very quickly - within a few days of my order. It shipped USPS, and even if tracking information had been supplied, their tracking system is often useless anyway.

The product itself is wonderful, and an excellent idea. It truly comes with everything you need except the Romex. Installation is very simple, and virtually no handyman skills are required. The only tools you need are a screwdriver, a keyhole saw, and a wire stripper, as well as a fish stick or some fish tape to pull the Romex through the wall. You don't even have to shut off the power to install this, because you're never working with live wires until you plug in the extension cord.

I installed this in an office environment, where power outlets were available above a drop ceiling, and there is nothing at all on that wall except the TV. No wires and no plugs, floor to ceiling. It looks great, and it's all thanks to this product. If you don't have access to in-ceiling power, however, you're going to have plugs and wires visible. They just won't be dangling from the TV, and can easily be hidden by a media credenza or some other piece of furniture.

One tip, if for some reason you are unable to use the in-wall gang boxes supplied with the kit, whichever box you do use must be very deep. The male plug's connection comes straight off the back, rather than at an angle, and since the plug is already recessed there may not be enough room in a shallower box (such as a metal gang box).

All in all, if you can't run a live circuit to a recessed outlet, or just plain don't want to, this product is the best alternative on the market today.

The product itself is really good, works nice, easy to install. I was not happy with how long it took to get and that they do not supply you with a tracking number.

This system is made up of parts that are UL Listed but the UL Listing doesn't mean that the assembly complies with the National Electrical Code. Extension cords are not permitted to be use in place of permanent wiring, and that is exactly what this kit is doing. For those of you that like to read the National Electrical Code see the NEC 2008 Articles 400.7 and 400.8 for flexible cords, and 240.5(B)(3) for proper use of extension cords(and UL web site [...]).
Also before you install one of these check with your local Electrical Inspector to see if he/she wood permit the installation.

If you need an outlet behind your LCD/LED TV then run a Romex wire directly to that outlet. Using this extension cord setup can lead to electrical shock or electrical fire issues.

If you can't install the plug yourself then hire an electrician to do the work for you, you will be safer if you do.

Good luck