Adding IEC C14 connector?

[zingo]

My Outlaw 7100 is great, except it does not have a detachable power cable, just a wussy, little two prong jobbie. I was thinking of installing a IEC C14 connector into it and adding a ground to the chassis to support 3-prong. Then I would be able to detach the cable if I wanted, or upgrade it down the road (or not if I'm being realistic:p). Has anyone ever attempted this, or think of why it could be a bad idea? PE has them for $1.75, so it seemed like a cheap upgrade if it's possible.
http://www.partsexpress.com/images/090-442t.jpg

[GV#27]

The only problem is that depending on your systems grounding, you might create a ground loop by adding the chassis ground.If it does then just disconnect it.Otherwise as long as you keep the neutral and hots in their correct places on the IEC plug you it should be fine.

[zingo]

Hmmm... I'll crack open the case and see what the internal wiring looks like and see if the project looks do-able. I'll see if I can find some schematics too and see if grounding would cause a problem. It's weird to me that an amp like that went with a 2-prong design, and non-detachable to boot.

[ShinAce]

See if the center tap of the transformer is connected to the case. If yes, don't ground it.

[zingo]

Cool thanks. I'll check that out.

[Tomasito]

Hello Zingo,

I've also been planning of modifying my VSX94TXH. It too has only a two prong (undetachable power cable) plug.

Let us know if the transformer is grounded to the case.

[GV#27]

You may find that the circuit ground is connected to the chassis with screws via ground tabs on the circuit board.

[F1nut]

You'll also need to check if there is space/clearance inside the case to fit an IEC. BTW, Furutech makes the best ones, which run about $11.00.

[Tomasito]

can you post the web link to the furutech IEC connector?

[F1nut]

They are available from any number of suppliers. Here's but one.

http://www.soniccraft.com/products/connections/ac/socket/iec/furutech_inlet.htm

[zingo]

Thanks for that link. It looks like a solid piece and Furutech looks like they have some cool stuff. I haven't had the chance to crack open my Outlaw yet since I have been trying to figure out its trigger, and if I had to send it back because of that reason, I feel they would frown upon some "upgrades".

[GV#27]

... and if I had to send it back because of that reason, I feel they would frown upon some "upgrades".Yes if it happens to still be under warranty, doing any mods will most likely void it.

[Tomasito]

Hello Zingo,
any update on your IEC upgrade project?

[zingo]

I just upgraded my tube amp with an IEC connector and it went great. However, that one has a wood case, and of course my Outlaw has a metal one. Right now, I'm trying to decide how I would cut a 1" x 3/4" hole in the metal with a cordless drill. If I figure that out, I'll be moving ahead.

(And thanks for the interest :))

[Libertyc]

I would use a Dremel type grinder with a small drill bit to cut the hole, and use a fine stone bit to finish it.

[ShinAce]

I just upgraded my tube amp with an IEC connector and it went great. However, that one has a wood case, and of course my Outlaw has a metal one. Right now, I'm trying to decide how I would cut a 1" x 3/4" hole in the metal with a cordless drill. If I figure that out, I'll be moving ahead.

(And thanks for the interest :))

Buy a nibbler.

It cuts out a sliver of the metal very cleanly and only requires one drilled hole to get started. You could drill 4 holes and nibble out the perimeter. Great tool for working metal cutouts.

[Tomasito]

Shinace,
Can you post a link where I can purchase a good nibbler on line?

[WilliamM2]

Shinace,
Can you post a link where I can purchase a good nibbler on line?

Site says "web only", but I bought mine in the local RS store:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2289712&cp=&sr=1&origkw=nibbler&kw=nibbler&parentPage=search

[Tomasito]

WilliamM2... thanks

[ShinAce]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, but yeah, that's the nibbler. It's slow work, but always comes out clean.

[zingo]

Partsexpress has one too for $9.75: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=360-022
I might have to try it out...

[zingo]

I just pulled the trigger and bought a nibbler, IEC jack, and another power cord, so the mod on my Outlaw is moving ahead full force.

[Tomasito]

Zingo, any update?

[zingo]

I just got the parts in the mail, so I will be working on it this week! Pictures will accompany the completed review. Thanks for the interest.

[zingo]

Stupid Outlaw Audio and their fantastic American made build quality. The sheet metal on the amp is too thick for my nibbler. Hmmm....

[ShinAce]

Some nibblers have interchangeable dies...a long shot, but...

[zingo]

Ah thats a good idea, but I got a cheaper nibbler. I think I would need a pneumatic version anyway with the sheet metal as thick as it is.

[ShinAce]

Daaamn, got calipers?

Is the sheet metal only thick on the front and back plates?

[ben62670]

On my GFA-555 I wired the power cord directly. I didn't feel the need for 2 extra connectors. The connectors are nice if you want to swap cables, but I don't feel that need and just bought a cable that was a substantial upgrade to the puny 16/2 lamp cord that was on there. Just wanted to list another option for people reading the thread. Sorry for the slight derail Jake. Good luck with your cuts. I know you do good work.
Ben

[zingo]

That a great idea Ben! I'm getting a 12' power cord at a great discount because of an ordering error on their part. 12' is a little to long for me, so I'll look at chopping it up and hard-wiring it into the amp. The pre-cut hole might actually work perfect with the lamp-cord grommet taken out.

ShinAce, it's not that the metal is that thick, they just double it back on the sides for strength.

[ben62670]

I ended up putting a metal ferrite choke on it, and soldered the connectors. You don't want to take any chances of having a hot wire busting loose inside your components. After being an electrician for years, and doing plenty of other work with connectors I have learned the fewer connectors the better. Extremely rare is it that a wire fails before any connections.

[zingo]

Why did you go with the choke? If it physically works, I'll be soldering the connections and then heat-shrinking all the wires. Since the power cord is grounded and the amp is not, is that something I should try, or just make the two connections and leave the ground free?

[vonnie123]

On my GFA-555 I wired the power cord directly. I didn't feel the need for 2 extra connectors. The connectors are nice if you want to swap cables, but I don't feel that need and just bought a cable that was a substantial upgrade to the puny 16/2 lamp cord that was on there. Just wanted to list another option for people reading the thread. Sorry for the slight derail Jake. Good luck with your cuts. I know you do good work.
Ben

Did the same as Ben on my GFA-555 replacing the 16/2 direct, with a 14/3 direct.

[WilliamM2]

That a great idea Ben! I'm getting a 12' power cord at a great discount because of an ordering error on their part. 12' is a little to long for me, so I'll look at chopping it up and hard-wiring it into the amp. The pre-cut hole might actually work perfect with the lamp-cord grommet taken out.

ShinAce, it's not that the metal is that thick, they just double it back on the sides for strength.

If you take out that grommet, you need to replace it with another. You don't want the sharp edge of the hole cutting the new cable.

[zingo]

What did you do with the ground on your 14/3 Vonnie?

And don't worry William, I'll protect the cable one way or another.

[vonnie123]

In the Adcom GFA 555 there is a "dead" female snap on connector which I also grounded to the main ground strap. I used an insulated crimp on connector to marry up the ground and connector. I made it removeable in case adding the ground added any degree of hum; fortunately it didn't.

In addition, I did have to punch out case a touch after removing the old 16/2 power cord protection grommet; I then installed the proper 14/3 strain relief grommet. I was lucky my brother had the right size punch to enlarge the grommet opening. I undertook a similar project replacing a stock zip cord on a CD changer with an used Audioquest NRG-1 power cord (removed the c7 two prong terminal) and connected it to the wiring inside the CD changer. Probably overkill, but it's a hobby!

[zingo]

Thanks for the tips and good ideas. That's a good idea having the ground removeable incase of a hum. I'll make sure to wiring it in that way.