The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a VE-XVI that I'd like to re-wire (the external power cable is brittle/frayed at the plug, and I don't feel too safe relying on it long term).
The issue I ran into, is the design of the female sockets that plug into the switch and the motor. Unlike the other VE-XVI I own, these seem to be one solid molded piece of Bakelite (or other early polymer.) (see attached photo). I didn't see any way to separate the wire terminals from the blocks without destroying them in the process. There's a chance they were designed so that the wires can be pulled out, but that's a risk I'm not willing to take until I know what I'm dealing with. Does anyone here have experience with these early connections, or know where I could source custom replacements? I'm guessing there's a reason Victor switched to the later design that could be taken apart. These don't appear very "repair friendly"
Ideally, I'd like to replace everything with new Sundial wire, but if I have to leave them alone, it's no big deal. The external cord is my main concern, which can be more easily spliced in at an existing repair.

I would replace the external cord only, (or any other wiring that appears to be obviously bad). No matter how good the internal wiring may be, I NEVER leave any of my Electrolas plugged in while not in use.

JerryVan wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:51 am I would replace the external cord only, (or any other wiring that appears to be obviously bad). No matter how good the internal wiring may be, I NEVER leave any of my Electrolas plugged in while not in use.

Oh yeah, I agree. They don't have many safety features, and I'm far too paranoid to keep one plugged when I'm not in the same room.
I should probably clarify that when I said "rely on it long term", I meant I don't want to keep unplugging a cable in that might fall apart or short without warning.

LimeTree99 wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 1:01 pm

JerryVan wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:51 am I would replace the external cord only, (or any other wiring that appears to be obviously bad). No matter how good the internal wiring may be, I NEVER leave any of my Electrolas plugged in while not in use.

Oh yeah, I agree. They don't have many safety features, and I'm far too paranoid to keep one plugged when I'm not in the same room.
I should probably clarify that when I said "rely on it long term", I meant I don't want to keep unplugging a cable in that might fall apart or short without warning.

It probably wouldn't be an insane thing to add a 10A fuse, just inside the cabinet, near the line cord socket.

I second Jerry's sentiments: I don't see any serious isolation concern at present time; so if the motor runs, I would leave the cabling as is.

Just for the sake of curiosity: do these connectors (by weight and "feel") look like they are completely filled with bakelite, or do they look empty inside?

Marco Gilardetti wrote: Tue Mar 11, 2025 3:25 am I second Jerry's sentiments: I don't see any serious isolation concern at present time; so if the motor runs, I would leave the cabling as is.

Just for the sake of curiosity: do these connectors (by weight and "feel") look like they are completely filled with bakelite, or do they look empty inside?

From a close up inspection, they appear to be one solid piece, and they're definitely heavy enough to be solid There's no continuous seam to split them apart, or a screw that would hold both halves together.
My guess is they set the wire leads & pin sockets into a jig, soldered the wires to the pin sockets, then molded the Bakelite around them, sealing everything together as a single part. The wires are in good shape where they enter the plugs, so I feel safe leaving them alone.

The later VE-XVI I have uses a two-piece hollow socket assembly with internal screws to secure the leads. A "lid" is slid over this, and held in place with a thin machine screw.