Ground prong broken off. How to replace?

jpeaslee · #1 01-20-2011, 08:29 AM

So the ground prong is broken off of my Ampeg b-100r. It was like that when I got it, but now I'd like to fix it. I'm guessing that you can just wire a new plug on the end, right? Like one of these

Is there any reason why I shouldn't fix it and just leave it the way it is?

Bassmickeyd · #2 01-20-2011, 08:33 AM

No, fix it. ..... The one pictured is an easy good looking fix in the end. ..... If your bass amp is ungrounded and you walk up to a mic you'll get a shock. .... Won't kill you but you'll realize pretty quick why the little ground plug should be there.

BassPenguin22 · #3 01-20-2011, 08:35 AM

Im not sure bout your amp, but on most amps with detachable cables you can easily get a replacement, or even pinch one from another applience.

Phalex · #4 01-20-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

Im not sure bout your amp, but on most amps with detachable cables you can easily get a replacement, or even pinch one from another applience.

^ this

If it's not detachable, wiring a new plug end onto a cable is no big deal, but if you don't know what you're doing, find someone who does. It's seriously a 10 minute job to cut the plug end off and wire a new one on.

Bassmickeyd · #5 01-20-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

Im not sure bout your amp, but on most amps with detachable cables you can easily get a replacement, or even pinch one from another applience.

It should be hard wired into the amp.

Bassdirty · #6 01-20-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

Im not sure bout your amp, but on most amps with detachable cables you can easily get a replacement, or even pinch one from another applience.

I think those ones are hardwired.

You can just get a replacement "plug end" at your local homedepot or wherever..its pretty simple,but that doesn't mean its not dangerous if you do something wrong... just pay attention to how the old one goes.(Id cut it apart to be sure the wires are going on exactly how they came off.)
But by all means, if you arent comfy doing it yourself, have a "qualified" person do it.

Good luck.

EDIT: i guesss y'all beat me to the advice.

Burlington · #7 01-20-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

It should be hard wired into the amp.

Most new amps have detachable ones.

Either way, it's a quick fix, and very dangerous if you don't get it taken care of!

Floyd Eye · #8 01-20-2011, 08:48 AM

If it were me I would replace the whole power cord. That is I would wire a whole new, completely intact grounded power cord to the chassis.

whyseye · #9 01-20-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeaslee

So the ground prong is broken off of my Ampeg b-100r. It was like that when I got it, but now I'd like to fix it. I'm guessing that you can just wire a new plug on the end, right? Like one of these

Is there any reason why I shouldn't fix it and just leave it the way it is?

It's ruined forever. I'll take it off your hands for parts, though.

But seriously.....get that thing grounded, and have some fun!

Bob C · #10 01-20-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

If it were me I would replace the whole power cord. That is I would wire a whole new, completely intact grounded power cord to the chassis.

Why?

billfitzmaurice · #11 01-20-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeaslee

Is there any reason why I shouldn't fix it and just leave it the way it is?

Staying alive would be at the top of my list.

BurningSkies · #12 01-20-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Staying Alive would be at the top of my list.

The song or the movie?

jpeaslee · #13 01-20-2011, 09:57 AM

I'm familiar with the wiring on these. Do amps have some kind of capacitors that will store energy and discharge it after its unplugged? I wouldn't think so, but I know with some electronics can be very dangerous to work on (although I'd just be rewiring a plug) even after unplugged.

Oh, and its a hardwired plug.

rojo412 · #14 01-20-2011, 09:59 AM

I fixed a Sunn amp head with the end like you pictured. It was easy, works great, and is cheap. Just make sure you have it correctly wired.

"Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother..."

Floyd Eye · #15 01-20-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Why?

I don't trust those DIY plug ends. Plus they look like ****.

jb63 · #16 01-20-2011, 10:08 AM

Putting a new plug end on the power cable is really easy. You'll have 3 wires Green=ground, Black=hot, and White=neutral. On your replacement plug end there will be 3 lugs; connect the green wire to the green lug, the black wire to the brass colored lug , and the white wire to the silver lug. Step by step instructions here

Bassmickeyd · #17 01-20-2011, 10:12 AM

[quote=jpeaslee;10309796]I'm familiar with the wiring on these. Do amps have some kind of capacitors that will store energy and discharge it after its unplugged? I wouldn't think so, but I know with some electronics can be very dangerous to work on (although I'd just be rewiring a plug) even after unplugged.

WHAT?
You unplug your TV from the wall and it still turns on?
You're car restarts after you turn it off only if the battery is in good condition and hold a charge.
The only charge would maybe be a static charge and a little shock. ..... But no stored energy.
......

maches · #18 01-20-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

If it were me I would replace the whole power cord. That is I would wire a whole new, completely intact grounded power cord to the chassis.

+1

Not only would it look better, but it is safer and a more reliable connection. It shouldn't take much longer than replacing just the head. I agree with taking your amp to a qualified person for the job unless you know whats going on inside.

3506string · #19 01-20-2011, 10:20 AM

I'd just find a good AC plug with good strain relief and be good to go. Power plugs are very simple Hot Cold Ground.

jpeaslee · #20 01-20-2011, 10:22 AM

[quote=Bassmickeyd;10309902]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeaslee

I'm familiar with the wiring on these. Do amps have some kind of capacitors that will store energy and discharge it after its unplugged? I wouldn't think so, but I know with some electronics can be very dangerous to work on (although I'd just be rewiring a plug) even after unplugged.

WHAT?
You unplug your TV from the wall and it still turns on?
You're car restarts after you turn it off only if the battery is in good condition and hold a charge.
The only charge would maybe be a static charge and a little shock. ..... But no stored energy.
......

"Because of the big electric charge held within the capacitors inside it.
Capacitors store energy (power) for an indefinite time. Touching both leads of any capacitor can give you a real good jolt.
For example, your television set is a giant capacitor in electronic terms: even though a TV may have just been switched off and unplugged, there may still be about 40,000 volts stored up in its cathode ray tube (CRT) that will cause great harm unless proper precautions are taken to discharge it safely.
The same applies to a computer's power supply.
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Power supplies have large capacitors in them. These capacitors store electricity in them even when mains power is shut off. If you were to contact the connections on the bottom of the capacitors, you could receive a potentially lethal shock. For this reason, you should never disassemble a power supply unless you have received training in how to properly discharge the capacitors." Quoted from another site.