Zenith H845 cord - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Zenith H845 cord (/showthread.php?tid=26490)

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Zenith H845 cord - Jimradio - 05-14-2026

On the Zenith H845, need to replace the power cord to a polarizes cord. The switch goes to ground or the chassis (hot chassis), should the hot lead go to the switch or the neutral lead.    

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RE: Zenith H845 cord - radiorich - 05-14-2026

Hello Jimradio,
in the real world, yes, the narrow blade on the polarized cord would go to the switch. However, you’d need to rewire the switch so that the wire leading to the diode is connected to the switch instead of the chassis, as otherwise the chassis could become hot.
So the wide prong on the plug would go to the chassis instead .
Sincerely Richard

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RE: Zenith H845 cord - Jimradio - 05-15-2026

Thanks Richard for your reply, I have rewired some Hallicrafters with a hot chassis. I could do the same with this radio, didn't think about that until I read your comments. On some Hallicrafters I put an isolated transformer in the radio, worked great. The orignal cord on this Zenith is not frayed or cracked just really stiff.
Have to think about this, may add a fuse as well.
Thanks again.

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RE: Zenith H845 cord - Jimradio - 05-16-2026

If it were to be done with the hot lead (narrow pin) going to the diode (replaced the selenium rectifier) and the neutral lead going to the chassis, that would eliminate C43, R42 the C44 could stay or not. Am I right in thinking this.
Or leave it as the factory did it with the interlock on the back, and the factory cord, non-polarized.
Thanks

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RE: Zenith H845 cord - Jimradio - 05-16-2026

Disregard my last post, going to leave the cord issue as is from the factory. This radio is wood and plastic with plastic knobs and an interlock back. Should be fine. Can not get into the radio without removing the back thus unplugging from power.

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