Phono-electrical Question

[Curt A]

My Lauzon phonograph has a light near the turntable and the wiring goes down through the cabinet to round brass disc with a porcelain socket that has two round holes in it. Apparently, it had a pigtail with a two round male pins that plugged into it and connected to a wall outlet. This phono was made in the '20s, so apparently it was a common format for use at that time, before two flat blade plugs became the standard...

[52089]

Looks kind of like the old-style European 2-pin plug and socket. If the dimensions are about the same, you could probably adapt something pretty easily.

[Curt A]

Yes, European plugs do have the two round pins, I just haven't tried one for the correct fit. I also don't know if the pins are the same size, being metric...

[marcapra]

you might ask on the Antique Radio Forum.

[Curt A]

you might ask on the Antique Radio Forum.

Good idea...

[Curt A]

Here is a picture of the actual outlet on the bottom of the machine. It gives a better idea of what I am looking for...

[VanEpsFan1914]

Looks like plugs on old 1910s-1920s appliances. You could try asking around toaster collectors or look with someone who restores vintage lamps.

[JimN]

No, an old appliance cord wouldn't fit. You can still buy them new. Go to Amazon and search for coffee maker cord. The problem is that the cord's plug has pins recessed into the plastic housing.

Jim Nichol

[startgroove]

That arrangement is not safe and may not be original. Normally, the male plug is part of the system to which power is applied, not to the cord which supplies power. In other words, the female connector is normally the source of power, not the male connector. The reason being, if someone plugs the other end of the cord into a wall socket, the two exposed male pins will have dangerous voltage on them. That arrangement has never been in use in the US, even in the early days.

It is possible you have an aftermarket installation that was done improperly. It would be a good idea to change it out, to make it safer.

Cheers, Russie

[Curt A]

I think that safety has to be the most important aspect of this. I'm going to do one of two things: (1) wire the lamp directly to an extension cord that I cut off the outlet end and have an integrated plug formed on the end, or (2) use a computer plug socket fastened to the bottom of the machine and wired to the lamp. If I use the computer option, I could use any standard computer or printer cable and plug as a removable pigtail...