The power cable from mains to my hover mower has quite a slash/cut in its rubbery coating. Probably because of accidental flyover when someone else used it.
I unplugged it from mains/power and looked at the cut. Inside I can see more wires including another which has also got a cut in it's outer protection covering. There I can see the copper wiring inside.
The hover mower still works fully... is it safe to just tape over the cut with some masking tape of an insulating type ?
I've seen some hover mower cables before taped over with sellotape over cuts.
2007-04-11 18:37:03 · 7 answers · asked by Joe Bloggs 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
its far too dangerous to use ..it might be ok now but in damp grass it could be lethal ..i had a mixer like that and it nearly one of my men ..get it fixed
2007-04-11 19:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by boy boy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it isn't safe to keep using it and tape over it. Eventually the bare wires will break and the mower will blow up and take you with it.
Go to B&Q and purchase a permanent wiring connecter. It looks like a little plastic box. Take the lid of by removing the 2 screws on the top of the box.
Next cut the cable on the mower above and below the damaged bit.
Then like wiring up a plug take some of the outer casing of the mower cable at both ends and take off some of the inner casing off the blue red and yellow/green wires.
Inside the connecter are 3 brass connection blocks with 2 grub screws in each. Loosen all the screws and place the wires into the connection blocks. Earth wire (green/yellow) in the middle Red on the left, blue on the right.
Next get the other end of the mower cable and do the above on the other side of the connecting blocks. MAKE SURE YOU MATCH THE WIRE COLOURS LIKE FOR LIKE.
On the Left you will have just RED wires in the middle Yellow/ Green on the right just BLUE wires.
make sure all the grub screws are tight and secure the cable into the cable holders at either end of the connection box by taking out the screws and putting the cable under the plastic strip and secure it down.
Put the lid back on the connection box and away you go.
2007-04-11 18:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by Robin 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The cut means that if damp water can get to the wires. A waterproof join should be made at this point or if it is near the connection to the mower then shortened and reconnected. To use it as it is could lead to a short which would blow the fuse or if picked up could easily give an electric shock.
2007-04-11 18:48:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
In B&Q and similar outlets you can buy 2 core and 3 core pull apart plug and socket connectors that can be inserted into the bad area of the cable. When the job is complete you can safely use the mower but always ensure you use a safety breaker at your socket.
2007-04-12 07:47:42 · answer #4 · answered by ask this dummy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing is to replace the cord. If you insist on fixing it yourself, then individualy tape the wires that are exposed using electrician's tape. Once all of the wires have been taped, then tape all three together. This is still not safe, but it is done. Good luck
2007-04-11 19:50:26 · answer #5 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Definitely not fixable but certainly repairable. Be sensible, would you use sellotape to fix a bleeding artery?.
2007-04-12 15:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take no risks, get the cable changed it wont cost a fortune.
2007-04-11 19:05:22 · answer #7 · answered by Russell B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋