11-15-2007, 10:51 PM
Hello Tony, I also use the 18 ga stranded type "brown type lampcord" on my vintage radio restorations. As far as "polarity" on AC/DC type chassis with a cap between both AC connections, some folks use the "safety caps". Personally, If I have em', I use em", otherwise, a regular cap works just as well. And if you inspect old vintage AC plugs closely, none of them were "polarized" in the old days as far as size of the spades either. Neither were the house AC recepticals in those days, so I think it is safe to assume, enjoy your vintage radio as you have it wired now. If you want to be concerned on todays "correct phasing" from the breaker boxes in modern homes, install your AC cord (+ larger spade) side directly to the on/off switch in the radio chassis. As far as adding a "ground wire" 3-wire type AC plug, personally I dont think that is necessary at all. On vintage radios that have AC transformers, you can always add a 2-amp fastblo fuse on one side of the AC line to protect everything. Just my thoughts. Randal