The cord on my year-old basic Oreck XL Vacuum (bought it in a special on-sale deal), has split on one end and one of the prongs has come off in the socket. So, it looks like I need to replace the entire cord.
What is the cheapest way to get it fixed (my husband MIGHT be able to do it) and about how much should it run?
2006-12-23 07:47:40 · 5 answers · asked by charyl92678 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Cut off the old plug far back (6 to 8 inches) to where the cord looks new.
Buy a replacement plug ( it will be a 2 prong just as the old one was).
1- Use a cutting tool, single edge razor blade, exacto blade or small box cutter to carefully split the outer rubber cord back about 1 & 1/2 in. Be careful not to cut deep and penetrate the rubber insulation of the two inner wires.
2- Remove the outer jacket and filler from around the 2 inner wires.
3- You will have 2 insulated wires left. (one black & the other white or gray or other light colored wire).
4- Strip about a half inch off the end of each and twist each wire separately so the copper strands are not fanned out.
5- The plug will have 2 flat blades (one wider that the other) and the black wire gets connected to the thin blade. Wrap the wire around each screw and tighten.
6- Reassemble the plug and you're done.
2006-12-23 09:53:03 · answer #1 · answered by norman8012003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's only split on the plug end, then yes you can just buy a cord and install it yourself. Do yourself a favor though, and buy a good plug. It doesn't necessarliy have to be a three prong grounded plug, unless the old one was, but don't buy one of these $1.50 plugs and expect it to last more than once or twice of being pulled out of the wall recept when you come to the end of the cord and have to get that little piece of dirt just a few feet further out. Buy something substantial enough to have a decent clamping system on it and follow the directions that come with it closely. You shouldn't need a whole new cord unless there's a severely damaged area somewhere between the plug and the handle that would make the cord too short to cut it off and install a new plug. Oreck is an expensive machine, although considerably overated, and a new cord, (just part), would probably run close to $30, not including labor to change it.
2006-12-23 22:34:16 · answer #2 · answered by Corky R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an easy fix, just replace the plug on the end with one from a hardware store. If you can operate a screwdriver and wire strippers you can do it yourself! Follow the instructions provided with the new plug.
2006-12-23 15:54:43 · answer #3 · answered by tropicalturbodave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll want to make sure to use wiring that has the proper resistance and resilience...otherwise you risk potential shorting and fire.
In my town, I would just take it to a local Oreck or vacumn store and they would just repair it...sometimes for free...
2006-12-23 15:56:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tropicalt...has the right answer, just make sure to cut the "bad" part out.
2006-12-23 16:09:29 · answer #5 · answered by bearcat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋