3x2x8ft tall cabinet Pantry 1980
6 shelves
no interior lighting
nearest outlet is on an exterior wall 3ft away
Need to illuminate it to put flashlight to rest
Amazon stock searches not acceptable anymore
SUGGESTIONS THAT WORKED FOR YOU?

Unsatisfactory solutions past/present
1. Stick on motion LED battery powered = fall off, motion doesn't turn off/on religiously, batteries then burn out prematurely, esp. the rechargeable .... two different types applied
2. LED rope lighting on 12v adapter, applied with putty = OK lumens, OK if ON 24/7 such low wattage 18mos ago, BUT now lumens pretty much all gone, so almost dark again
3. Lithium battery flashlights near or inside cabinet = seems caveman primitive

We don't design dark pantries for others because of this Spartan savings we had to make back then.

Can you do any sodering? If so I would buy some channel diffuser and get some good leads to run in it you can easily run those connected to a motion detector switch and it would be brighter and last longer than rope lights.

So I had a similar issue lighting my bar. Batteries aren't a solution. Ran an outlet on the other side of the wall inside a closet, drilled hole to run cord through, plugged in, and then used these.

DAYBETTER White LED Strip Light, 32.8ft Dimmable led Strip, 6500K 12V Light Strips, 600 LEDs 2835 Tape Lights for Bedroom, Kitchen, Mirror, Home Decoration https://a.co/e8A64Tq

These step lights would also work. Just drill 2 holes per shelf and they sit flush.

Recessed LED Deck Light Kits(16 Pack), 12V Low Voltage Landscape Lighting, IP67 Waterproof Outdoor Step Stair Lights, Deck Lighting for Garden,Yard Steps,Stair,Patio,Floor,Decoration, White https://a.co/8IhoJVG

If it were me, I'd be thinking hard about running an outlet or to the interior of that cabinet. If you have attic access above this room, it would be very easy to do (or have an electrician do). Hardwired solutions are far superior.

And running cords through walls to plug into another room? Oof, I'd avoid.

Running an electrical box inside of the pantry is definitely the best option.

The point was hiding the plug for my bar with the open shelving. Only way not to see wiring or plugs.

I mean, you definitely made it look very nice - but it is a code violation. Just want that to be clear to OP.

BenTheGoodAg said:

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I mean, you definitely made it look very nice - but it is a code violation. Just want that to be clear to OP.

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Was just wondering about that.

BenTheGoodAg said:

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I mean, you definitely made it look very nice - but it is a code violation. Just want that to be clear to OP.

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Last I checked it's a code violation because of the hole through the fire proofing (sheetrock), not because of a standard insulated cord no different than in the walls with insulations. At least that's the case in commercial and industrial. So putting some fire rated caulk would eliminate that (if it's actually a concern for anyone, which I doubt).

Sorry to burst your bubble - but it's not permitted per NEC 400.12. I'm not savvy on flexible cord insulation, but I don't think it's typically THHN like what's found in residential Romex, nor does it have the same configuration (paper, un-insulated ground, etc).

And commercial/industrial use being different? Definitely not. We follow the NEC as well, and I'd never put my seal up against the use of a flexible cord in this manner.

The risk is probably super low in this case - insulation formulations have come a long way and it's a very short and easy to inspect run, but if you had a fire, your insurance would likely deny a claim.

It's low voltage going through the wall.

Good clarification, I did assume 120V. Little bit outside my wheelhouse, but I would suspect the code answer is still no since flexible cords aren't listed for in-wall use. Your other low voltage cables (ethernet, speaker wire, HDMI, etc) should be listed for in-wall use. Again - low risk. What if your little 'Made in China' adapter shorted the cord to 120V, etc?

No mention of the creepy doll watching you cook?

BenTheGoodAg said:

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Good clarification, I did assume 120V. Little bit outside my wheelhouse, but I would suspect the code answer is still no since flexible cords aren't listed for in-wall use. Your other low voltage cables (ethernet, speaker wire, HDMI, etc) should be listed for in-wall use. Again - low risk. What if your little 'Made in China' adapter shorted the cord to 120V, etc?

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The reality would be nothing different than if it was all on one side of the wall. There's no insulation the wall, so nothing flammable for a low voltage wire.

Thank You!
Two items just arrived from Amazon, completely unsuitable for lighting anything but themselves.
Rant on Amazon seller/product quality control withheld.

Sunday will appear DAYBETTER White LED Strip Lights
that will power from outside the cabinet and wrap interior for 3 of the 6 shelves.

The rest of the contributions - thank you but ... this seems to be my only plugNplay solution .........

May God bless you! The tape lights came, 32.8ft mounted in half the time with a smile on my face and WOW.
Gave them (now you) 5-stars, hoping another Texas summer akin to last one doesn't melt the sticky back & find them fallen.

Three spaces light up like a car's bright lights, so dimmed them 1/2 power and still can see every nook/corner.

Extension cord solution since these are low voltage 12v 1.6a

Photos depict full & 1/2 power lighting.

You're welcome!

The dimmer is definitely handy.