Hey Guys:

This is going to sound like a crazy question. I have three Philco Model 20 Cathedrals that I am restoring - one is done. They all seem to have different bakelite plugs on the AC line cord.

Since I am being very fussy about the restoration, does anyone know of have a picture of the radio with its' power plug shown? I would have expected the flat type plug, non-polarized in brown bakelite but this is not what I have on any of them.

Thanks in Advance
Lou

:Hey Guys:
:
:This is going to sound like a crazy question. I have three Philco Model 20 Cathedrals that I am restoring - one is done. They all seem to have different bakelite plugs on the AC line cord.
:
:Since I am being very fussy about the restoration, does anyone know of have a picture of the radio with its' power plug shown? I would have expected the flat type plug, non-polarized in brown bakelite but this is not what I have on any of them.
:
:Thanks in Advance
:Lou

Lou,
I have seen several same year / model radios with original power cords that had different plug ends. I imagine that they used what was available in the plant and it was not imortant to the consumer. As long as you use the period style if you are concerned with accuracy, it should be o.k.
Jon.
:

Agree, there are plenty of old 2 prong plugs with screw terminals lurking around in junk piles with or without rotted cords. Some of the round hard rubber ones seem to be indestrutable short of fire. Power cords with molded plugs started appearing pretty early, and it takes an expert (or would be) to tell a Philco from a Zenith.

I'd rather use a polarized plug and wire it defensively, if there really is a way to do this, or a 3 prong plug, and anyone's house that doesn't have them yet needs to be lectured.

Not to dwell, but I have come across power cords from ancient devices with rubber insulation that is soft, crack free, and pliable after all these years. You know, test leads, power cords from hair clippers, ancient lamp cords, just what were they made of. Please Don't tell me they were 90% asbestos.

It's all a folly if the recepticles are mis wired, and it happens far more often than you think.

::Hey Guys:
::
::This is going to sound like a crazy question. I have three Philco Model 20 Cathedrals that I am restoring - one is done. They all seem to have different bakelite plugs on the AC line cord.
::
::Since I am being very fussy about the restoration, does anyone know of have a picture of the radio with its' power plug shown? I would have expected the flat type plug, non-polarized in brown bakelite but this is not what I have on any of them.
::
::Thanks in Advance
::Lou
:
:Lou,
:I have seen several same year / model radios with original power cords that had different plug ends. I imagine that they used what was available in the plant and it was not imortant to the consumer. As long as you use the period style if you are concerned with accuracy, it should be o.k.
:Jon.
::
:
:

My apt. doesn't have 3 prong outlets. My apartment was built in 1930. Nothing I own except the laptop, microwave, or refrigerator, uses a 3 prong anyway. I did get a zap while using my laptop on the toilet once, but that's because I left the 3 to 2 adapter on the plug. Thankfully sweet old landlady changed the bathroom to a 3 prong fixture. Upon removing the adapter from my laptop plug I was able to resume toilet Facebooking shock-free.

...But there is a seller who does sell beautiful round bakelite plugs in black, brown, and ivory, with polarized prongs, if you care to.

.....But if you keep your fingers out of the set, it shouldn't matter, anyway.

eBay seller, that is.

Thanks for all the concern Fellas.

The way the Model 20 Cathedral is made, with Bakelite knobs and a wooden cabinet, makes it rare that you come in contact with the chassis anyway.

PS Beware the 3 to 2 prong plug cheating device!! Many people use this as an adaptor and dont wire up the little green wire to any ground on the instrument.
If you have to use one stay away from common grounds like water faucetsm etc when handling the instrument.

PS I agree on the issue of mis-wired sockets - I have found plenty with the hot and ground sides reversed.

Lou

:eBay seller, that is.
:

:My apt. doesn't have 3 prong outlets. My apartment was built in 1930. Nothing I own except the laptop, microwave, or refrigerator, uses a 3 prong anyway. I did get a zap while using my laptop on the toilet once, but that's because I left the 3 to 2 adapter on the plug. Thankfully sweet old landlady changed the bathroom to a 3 prong fixture. Upon removing the adapter from my laptop plug I was able to resume toilet Facebooking shock-free.
:
:...But there is a seller who does sell beautiful round bakelite plugs in black, brown, and ivory, with polarized prongs, if you care to.
:
:.....But if you keep your fingers out of the set, it shouldn't matter, anyway.

Just wondering, on the toilet? Where did you get zapped?
:

Ah. Well, actually, to be descript, I had my knee against the radiator, and happened to touch the headphone jack while I was holding the laptop and Facebooking with my friends (Facebook friends--the true kind). ;)

....Multitasking.

Assuming that the battery is charged and you have a wireless connection, sitting and texting should not be a problem, lightning notwithstanding. Mute the microphone though.

:Ah. Well, actually, to be descript, I had my knee against the radiator, and happened to touch the headphone jack while I was holding the laptop and Facebooking with my friends (Facebook friends--the true kind). ;)
:
:....Multitasking.
:

I use the charger all the time, because the battery doesn't hold a charge for more than about 15 minutes. I should replace it but I don't. If the charger is not grounded, there is shock potential. Although there is a transformer isolating the two sides, there is also a capacitor linking the two sides, and depending on how I had it plugged in, the metal parts on the laptop could be electrified.

With the 3 to 2 adapter removed, however, and the charger plugged into a properly grounded outlet, shock potential is pretty much eliminated.