Incubator repair - electrical question

[Stefrobrts]

I am fixing up an old incubator. The power cord was cut off when I got it. It is a two wire cord. The tan wire goes to a junction block inside the fuse box, and the black wire goes to the fuse. I want to replace this cord with a new one, but all the cords at the hardware store with heavy duty wires were grounded, three wire. What should I do with the third wire?

In this picture the power cord is coming in the left side of the box.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Put it under a screw on the metal part of the body to ground it to the house ground. Not actually needed an you could cut it off but its safer of its there.

 

[iluvsedward]

I hope you can get some more help with this

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
The " tan " wire was white at one time ; your new cord will be black , white , and one likely bare but can be insulated in green . Black to replace the black ; this is electricity coming in . White to replace the " tan " ; this is electricity flowing back out . The bare wire should , as previously suggested , be secured to the metal box ; this allows electricity a safe route out in case of an accidental short occuring . Easiest method is to use a self-tapping screw but you could drill a small hole and use a a 6/32 or 8/32 [ possibly labeled a #6 or #8 ] machine screw with hex nut on the other side . Connections should be hooked over the screws in a clockwise manner ; as the screw is tightened this tends to tighten the wire into the connection instead of forcing it out . I hope that's helpful .

 

[Stefrobrts]

Thank you very much, folks, that's just what I needed to know. We'll see if this old machine still works!

 

[Dogfish]

Tan = white. Black = black. green/bare copper = ground.

replace white (common) and black (power) exactly as they are. Use a round terminal connector, attach it to the screw on the bottom left.

 

[Stefrobrts]

Thanks for the advice. It worked! I plugged it in and the fan came on, the heater warmed up, and the motor turned the drum - awesome! I need to replace some weatherstripping on it, then I can set it up to run and see if it can reliably hold temperature and humidity. I might have a working incubator before too long!

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Way to go Stephanie ! Now , if its not too much trouble , could you post us a pic of the old incubator ? I think I could get into restoring old 'bators ............... [ said knowing full well I have no time for that

] . I'm really happy for you that it appears to be in working order .

 

[Stefrobrts]

It's a Humidaire Drum-type incubator. I picked it up for free when a friend pointed out a free incubator in my area on CL. I just wanted a little tabletop incubator - I couldn't believe what it was when I went to pick it up. I'm really excited it seems to be in very close to working condition!

 

[SteveH]

Great find ! Thank you for showing it , its kinda like an early , giant ancester of the Brinsea Octagon on a cradle

.