Author Topic: Converting an old DS5 to a 3-prong plug (Read 389 times)

82daion · « **on:** April 25, 2008, 07:39:50 PM »

Would it be possible to replace the 2-prong cord of my old DS5 with a 3-prong cord?

The current power cord is extremely dried out, and I'd like to refresh it with something new, but I'm not sure what I need to buy.

edwin · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2008, 10:12:50 AM »

Shouldn't be too hard. A lot of times when I need a new line cord, I'll just cut the end off an IEC cable, as I seem to have tons of those lying around. The third wire is a ground and it should be pretty obvious if you open up the power supply where this goes.

One thing, in what country are you located?
Edwin

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2008, 11:11:11 AM »

Edwin; Chris is in Ohio.

edwin · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2008, 11:29:42 PM »

OK, being in the US myself, I didn't know if there were other issues in other countries, so I didn't want to offer advice that might get someone electrocuted.

I've built a few of these, but I don't recall off the top of my head exactly where I put the ground wire from the line cord, but as I said, it should be obvious where the main ground is once you get in there.

I think it also wouldn't be a problem to replace it with another two wire cord. Good grounding is obviously better, but you should be fine either way.

Edwin

82daion · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2008, 07:59:15 PM »

Hmmm.

Well, that certainly works as far as sourcing the cord, although I can afford to go a little fancier than that. ;-)

I guess my real question is-how should I wire it? Looking at the innards, there's no ground immediately apparent-just two wires from the primary side of the transformer, wired to the cord with wire nuts, and bridged with another thicker wire. From the secondary of the transformer, there's a green wire and a red wire going to the caps, and a yellow one going to the Bass/Mono jack.

terryc · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2008, 03:12:12 AM »

Without seeing the inside, I would guess at attaching the earth(ground) to the chassis with a fixing lug, basically if some component or wire touches the chassis it will go to ground rather than you.
I always back everything up with a RCB anyway

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2008, 07:23:59 AM »

RCB?

Royal Canadian Beer?
Really Crazy Bush?
Red Cocobolo Bass?
Radical Cocaine Buyer?

O.K., I'll bite.

Bill, tgo

terryc · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2008, 07:39:46 AM »

Bill Residual Current Breaker, as we know them over here in the UK
Mind you all of the above are okay

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2008, 07:46:12 AM »

Hm, sounds like an aardlekschakelaar to me. No house should be without one (unless its a defective one).

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2008, 10:12:07 AM »

Is this the same as a GFI (ground fault interrupt)?
And if not, what is it? Should I have one? Am I born with it, or do I need to run out and buy one? HELLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!

Hey, is this just another way of saying circuit breaker like the ones built into my power strips?
I GOTTA KNOW!!!!!!!

Bill, tgo

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2008, 10:51:43 AM »

Device that measures the incoming and outgoing current (in this case, for your entire house). If there's a big difference, there must be a short-circuit, and the device cuts off electricity instantly.

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:56:51 AM »

Do we have such a device in the U.S.? What's it called?

Bill, tgo

tbrannon · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2008, 01:22:33 PM »

Bill,

RCB's are the same thing as our circuit breakers.

keith_h · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2008, 02:29:13 PM »

Bill,
We call them GFCI or GFI breakers/outlets in North America.

Keith

82daion · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2008, 02:38:27 PM »

Here's the innards.

If I understand correctly, then, the ground simply needs to be affixed to the chassis?