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Technics SL-23 Power Cable?

asdfxy98e

asdfxy98e

Member
Hey AK. I currently have an SL-23 I found in the basement nosing around. It's in pretty good cosmetic condition, and upon opening it, found nothing outwardly wrong, except two things: the belt's missing, but that's no problem, the problem is that, for whatever reason, the previous owners cut the power cord. It seems like I could just splice in another cable, I just don't know what type of cable it is and where to find it. And then there's the fact that I heard that cut power cords mean that the owners couldn't repair it. Do you guys know what cord it is, or something at least structurally similar? Should I even take a chance on it? I like SL-23's...
 
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Power cord is just a generic 2-conductor cord - grab a random cord from some other appliance, home depot, or wherever. Don't splice in a new cord - open it up, remove the tail of the old cord, and install the new cord the same way as the old one.

Cut cord often means it was judged "broken and not worth fixing" by someone in the past though...
 
If it's as easy as you say, I think I'll just go the the Salvation Army, pick up a cord, and try it out just to see if it turns on. I've played records by hand (really amusing for a time) and it sounds great, so that gives me hope it's still working somewhat... However, I heard that removing the cord out of the power supply messes it up...
 
asdfxy98e said:
However, I heard that removing the cord out of the power supply messes it up
Click to expand...

Usually all that is involved is desoldering the existing cord and soldering the new one in. If you are ham-fisted with a soldering iron or melt the terminal, I suppose you could damage the power supply. But simply removing the old cord and adding a new one should not create any new issues.
 
Twer me I would simply put a plug on the end of the cut cord assuming there was a few inches left and
use an extension cord to plug it in for testing. If the motor does not turn well you might consider
walking away unless you want to do some learning.
Always a good thing, that learning.
 
Thanks. I'll try the plug thing as a preliminary (and maybe as a permanent; I don't have a soldering gun yet :)) solution. I didn't even think of that! I really hope that motor turns, because it's either this cheap fix or replacing the tonearm and RCA's on a 1200MK2, which I don't have the patience for yet...
 
Just be aware of a few things:

1) You are dealing with line AC voltage here that will, quite easily, blast you out of your socks if you do something silly! Please be careful!
2) All this old equipment used non-polarized plugs (both prongs same width). If you run into a hum issue then reversing the plug in the socket can help. Can't do that with polarized plugs where one prong is wider than the other. So .... seek out a non-polarized plug.

You stand a good chance of finding a non-polarized plug on one of the 2-prong detachable cords for electronics ... the one's with the 'figure 8' style connector. Think thrift shop!

I've seen cut cords where all that is required is a belt or cleaning of a micro-switch with contact cleaner. So we'll keep our fingers crossed.
 
All this old equipment used non-polarized plugs (both prongs same width). If you run into a hum issue then reversing the plug in the socket can help. Can't do that with polarized plugs where one prong is wider than the other. So .... seek out a non-polarized plug.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I would have never thought of that! Anyway, the guy who it belonged to was... Interesting. He was pretty much a deadbeat family member who didn't have the slightest clue when it came to turntables (even though he was allegedly a """"""DJ"""""" at some point) who chucked his busted tables and crappy records at me to clear out space. So, I'm thinking the table got a gummy belt and cut the cords for some reason. I'm thinking it's that because he also tossed some Sansui that also had its cord cut and belt cut. Well, I'm hoping, anyway.
 
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I'm guessing that maybe the cord was cut because the turntable had an issue with the auto return that they couldn't figure out how to fix. Just take it one step at a time and hopefully you'll be up and running soon!
 
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