Old light fitting mains plug

[bharvey]

Hi,

We bought an old record player and the mains plug used on it is an old light fitting socket. I'd like to find out what I need to do to be able to use it safely.

Here's some photos of the plug:

Untitled

• bharvey
• 28 Dec 2014
• 1

Untitled

• bharvey
• 28 Dec 2014
• 1

I couldn't work out what it was at first but my Dad explained that when electricity supplies were first installed in homes, they were purely for lighting. Because electricity was still quite new at the time there weren't any wall sockets or mains plugs because there weren't many electrical appliances that existed.

I'd like to find out how I could use the record player. Is it safe for me to change the plug for a normal 3 pin mains plug? It only has 2 cables coming off it so it's safe to assume there's no ground cable. Or is there an adapter that I can get to convert it? I'm having trouble finding any information so thought I'd ask on this forum

 

[Spark123]

I'm not a great fan of the unsheathed flex, personally I'd replace it with a piece of two core normal flex. You can use a normal plug with a 3A fuse yes.

 

[bharvey]

Thanks for the quick reply! I was hoping that would be the case. I'll take a look at the record player and find out how easy it would be to remove the cable.

 

[flameport]

. Or is there an adapter that I can get to convert it?

That 'plug' you have is already connected to an adaptor - the round larger top part is a 2 pin plug and the lower part is a bayonet adaptor. The two items should pull apart.

The flex to the record player should be replaced.
Don't assume that it needs a 2 core flex just because that it what's fitted - it's possible it requires 3 core with an earth connection.

 

[Johnmelad]

. Or is there an adapter that I can get to convert it?

That 'plug' you have is already connected to an adaptor - the round larger top part is a 2 pin plug and the lower part is a bayonet adaptor. The two items should pull apart.

The flex to the record player should be replaced.
Don't assume that it needs a 2 core flex just because that it what's fitted - it's possible it requires 3 core with an earth connection.

Or two core and earth.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

the .. plug .. is an .. socket.

 

[Guitarguy]

When you get the plug changed for a standard 13a one, you will need to take some precautions before you introduce it to the mains.
It probably hasn't seen power for decades and something inside may go off pop if you just plug it in. You ideally need to power it up via a series lamp limiter just to be on the safe side.

Take a look at this page, hope this helps

http://www.vintage-radio.com/repair-restore-information/valve_applying-power.html

 

[mfarrow]

If it contains a preamp it will contain electronics which as discussed may blow on startup. If not it will just be a motor probably. Either way it's <1A.

It's probably got a tracking weight of over 20g and has a stylus as blunt as a knitting needle. If you're wanting something cheap to play records go buy yourself a Pro-ject.

 

[kai]

I don't recommend plugging that ancient kit into the mains.

You can buy a modern record deck for under sixty pounds at Currys and similar sorts of places. They are kinder to your records and have better sound quality too. Keep the musuem piece as a display antique (flex cut off).

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/ion-profile-lp-usb-turntable-a72ng?gclid=CM6A2uKR7sICFWSWtAodaU8AtQ

 

[flameport]

You can buy a modern record deck for under sixty pounds at Currys and similar sorts of places.

Useless plastic shyte which is grossly inferior to pretty much anything made before 1990.

Old record players are simple devices, and can usually be repaired easily and cheaply.
Even if not, £60 would be far better spent on buying a working older model.

They are kinder to your records and have better sound quality too.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/ion-profile-lp-usb-turntable-a72ng?gclid=CM6A2uKR7sICFWSWtAodaU8AtQ

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The purpose of a record player is to play records.
Not to transfer music to some other format.

 

[bernardgreen]

The "kindest" way to play a vinyl record is to use a laser pick-up and not a stylus.

Vinyl can be "copied" into a digital format but the quality is altered and the "warmth" of the sound of a vinyl is lost when transferred to a domestic digital format.

 

[mfarrow]

Rega
Linn
Pro-ject
ClearAudio

Pick your choice from eBay and you won't be disappointed. Don't pick anything with a return mechanism. A motor and a magnetic cartridge are all the moving parts you need.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The "kindest" way to play a vinyl record is to use a laser pick-up and not a stylus.

A far from trouble-free, convenient and reliable process, from what I read.

 

[deadshort]

You can buy a modern record deck for under sixty pounds at Currys and similar sorts of places.

Useless plastic shyte which is grossly inferior to pretty much anything made before 1990.

Old record players are simple devices, and can usually be repaired easily and cheaply.
Even if not, £60 would be far better spent on buying a working older model.

They are kinder to your records and have better sound quality too.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/ion-profile-lp-usb-turntable-a72ng?gclid=CM6A2uKR7sICFWSWtAodaU8AtQ

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The purpose of a record player is to play records.
Not to transfer music to some other format.

Why do you think 'Dansette' record players sell for £200 ?

DS

 

[Taylortwocities]

Why do you think 'Dansette' record players sell for £200 ?

Nostalgia