Plug needed...

[Junkman]

Don't remember if I asked this before, but I still need a plug for this receptacle. Changing the receptacle isn't an option. It is on the side of my antique ambulance, and is for keeping the battery charged. I have been searching ebay for months, and every electrical supply house that I try, says that it is too old for there inventory.
thanks Junk..

 

[2LTim]

Junk:
I have seen this kind of plug somewhere before............. right off hand I don't remember where. When I think of it ill let you know.
Is this 12V or 110? I clearly says "20AMP 250V," but is that what is going through it? I am sure you are aware of the dangers of having a cord with two male ends.

 

[HOTFR8]

Some Caravans also used the same fitting if that is of any help to you.

I found them available in Australia on this web site http://www.camec.com.au/
They are listed under 12 Volt Electrical and called Fixed Polarity Plugs if that is of any help to you.

I would post a picture but the PDF Catalog will not let me copy.

 

[Junkman]

The 2 aligator clips on the battery charger are removed, and you put the plug on the end. The most that it will carry is 12 volts, even though the recipticle was originally for 20 Amp 220 Volt. I guess in 1963, they were used to improvising. I wonder if I have to find a 1963 tar top battery, and battery charger to make this work...

 

[79firebird]

found a place that has one that looks like it will fit its got a ground but you can cut that off
http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Cooper-Wiring-2866-Strait-Plug-Yellow/108189/Cat/1000?RefID=CJ

 

[Mr_fixit]

before you buy you better make sure the spacing between the pins is correct.. I've seen more than one size...

 

[Torque1st]

found a place that has one that looks like it will fit its got a ground but you can cut that off
http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Cooper-Wiring-2866-Strait-Plug-Yellow/108189/Cat/1000?RefID=CJ

Usually you can pull the ground pin somehow. Sometimes it takes a little polish tho.

Any battery will do... I am sure you can come up with a vintage charger. One of those vintage vacuum tube rectifier units will do.

 

[om-nc]

Did a little searching for ya' and I think I found your plug.

Check out Cooper wiring devices at http://www.cooperwiringdevices.com/index.cfm

Then browse their product catalog at http://64.239.63.88/catalog/

and scroll to NEMA straight blade configuration under reference material. You will find that it is a NEMA 2-20 configuration and that should allow you to have an electrical wholesaler locate one for you. Heck, I bet Cooper has one but you will need to contact them to find out.

Good luck,

BTW, I tried to upoad the .pdf file but it is too large.

 

[Mr_fixit]

here's a receptacle, that looks to be the wrong one...

 

[HOTFR8]

I found this on another website via google and a search for Fixed Polarity Plugs.

http://www.ozvan.com.au/category41_1.htm

Retail price is about $15-00 to $20-00 with GST (tax).

 

[BigChevy80]

NEMA 2-20:

http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=4735

 

[mrb]

I 'MAY' be able to get my hands on a NOS mating plug for that. It will take me few days to look for it. I will report back probably friday.

 

[Junkman]

NEMA 2-20:

http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=4735

I don't know for sure, but I believe that in 1963, there was non NEMA standard.

Correction...NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926

The local electrical supply house gave me a plug to try, but the blades were not properly spaced. This is why I think that I need to find an old one that someone has in the garage. This is also the reaso that I posted the picture with the dime, so people can get a referance as to the spacing. I would have measured it with my caliper, but it is lost in the garage, along with a lot of other items. Come winter, everything just gets stuffed into the garage in no particular order...

I 'MAY' be able to get my hands on a NOS mating plug for that. It will take me few days to look for it. I will report back probably friday.

That will be great. I patiently await your response. thanks Junk..

 

[BigChevy80]

Hard to tell with the plug, since thay just show a drawing of the prong pattern, but the receptacle looked the same to me: http://www.stayonline.com/searchresult.aspx?categoryid=2120

Also says 250 volts 20 amps, just like the one you have. Not sure how old the NEMA standards are.

 

[kbs2244]

Check out one of those voltage trnsformer things they sell for world travlers.
Your plug may be a standard outlet some where in the world.

 

[2LTim]

Junkman:
Here is the info on he plug you need.
Tim

http://www.stayonline.com/reference-nema-straight-blade.aspx



http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=4735



http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=4772

 

[BigChevy80]

Junkman:
Here is the info on he plug you need.
Tim

http://www.stayonline.com/reference-nema-straight-blade.aspx

http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=4735

http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=4772

Uh, yeah... those are the links I already posted.

 

[mrb]

Good news! I believe I have (probably the last two in existance) your connector. Check out the pics. The spacing between the prongs is .064 and the prongs are .031 wide. Its a 20a 250v 2 pole non NEMA connector. They are NOS and are in perfect shape. PM me if this is the one.

 

[Junkman]

MRB came through with the correct plug for me. It arrived today, and I tried it. It was a tight fit at first, but the old gal finally gave in after a little grunting and persuasion. I'll bet that its been more than 30 years since anything has entered that slot. Now, I have to figure out the rest of the wiring to make this a functioning unit. Thanks again....... Junk...

 

[mrb]

MRB came through with the correct plug for me. It arrived today, and I tried it. It was a tight fit at first, but the old gal finally gave in after a little grunting and persuasion. I'll bet that its been more than 30 years since anything has entered that slot. Now, I have to figure out the rest of the wiring to make this a functioning unit. Thanks again....... Junk...

Great! Im glad that worked out for you.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Hope you took both of the plugs.

Smear a thin film of Dow 4 dielectric silicone grease on the blades, they will probably slide in a little easier, and help prevent corrosion too.

Charles

 

[mrb]

Hope you took both of the plugs.

Smear a thin film of Dow 4 dielectric silicone grease on the blades, they will probably slide in a little easier, and help prevent corrosion too.

Charles

I sent him one and kept the other for my plug archive. Never know when I, or someone else might REALLY need it.

 

[Junkman]

Hope you took both of the plugs.

Smear a thin film of Dow 4 dielectric silicone grease on the blades, they will probably slide in a little easier, and help prevent corrosion too.

Charles

Someone else sent me a PM and suggested K-Y based on my description... What really surprises me is that the receptacle wasn't corroded since it was exposed to the elements from 1963 to 1988, when it went into retirement. I would assume that like most fire equipment, it got a complete bath every time it came back from a call, and that meant a high pressure hosing every time. Now, it lives a pampered life.

 

[HOTFR8]

Have you had any luck locating a plug ?

 

[Mattlt]

Hey Paul,

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I ran across something the other day. While touring the Police and Fire Museum in Superior WI, I noticed a truck with a receptacle similar to the one you were looking for a plug for.

I thought you'd like to know that you don't have the only one in existence!

This was on an ALF ladder wagon.