Need to rewire a subwoofer AC cable

Windows7forever on 14/11/2015 - 15:05

Somebody threw out a perfectly good (& working) active Yamaha subwoofer (made in Japan). Before I could get my mitts on it some bozo has cut the cord off the back of the enclosure for his little scrap collection of copper.

I've opened up the rear of the unit and noticed there is only the live wire(+) and neutral(-) that needs to be re-soldered on the main board.

I will be going to replace the AC lead with a regular 3 prong plug. I have already stripped the wires back and prepped it but I'm not sure what to do with the ground/earth wire(colour = green). Someone told me I can just cut it off as it won't be connected to anything. I'm assuming that the original lead was only a 2 prong plug. Is this safe?

I have never soldered anything before but I will be getting some assistance with this and will be doing some research before proceeding with the task.

The sub definitely works and it hasn't been exposed to rain or moisture damage etc.
People that junk perfectly good electronics suck…

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • 2jzzzz on 14/11/2015 - 15:13

    They don't cut it off for copper, they owner does it so people don't go on and upcycle it. Dirtbags.

    • altomic on 14/11/2015 - 15:34

      def that. I scored my parents a Philips 42" plasma tv a few months ago at hard rubbish collection (they were still using a 20 year old 66cm sony CRT -bought from JB Hifi camberwell for $950 -with bonus VCR).

      in front of a house was the pile of hard rubbish, the plasma TV and the box of the new smart LED tv. the cord had been cut at right at the plug end. quick hack of an old cord and TV was working.

      $1.42 philips compatibile remote control from aliexpress and everything is good.

      anyway.

      OP - you don't need ground if the subwoofer didn't need it before. so cut it off.

      you can always look at the sub woofer circuit board and its sure to have a part number which you can google to find out more info.

    • plmko on 14/11/2015 - 18:34

      Disagree, I've seen the bozos who cut the cables leaving the electronics. Confronted one of them to either take the whole thing or not at all and was almost spat on.

      But yes, I will now consider cutting the cables in advance.

    • Davo1111 on 15/11/2015 - 02:27

      I cut the cable off broken items - i dont see the issue

      • altomic on 15/11/2015 - 10:34

        Broken items- yes. Working items -no

    • outlander on 15/11/2015 - 08:45

      Actually, everyone cuts them off to replace the missing cord of electrical equipment they picked up from hard rubbish
      Its a vicious chocolatey swirl

    • PVA on 15/11/2015 - 09:25

      or cut it off becuase it was unsafe and didnt want someone to plug it in and burn their house down.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/11/2015 - 15:40
    +2

    Personally, I'd nick down and pick up a few metres of twin core mains and save myself the issue.
    But you can just clip the unused wire at both ends. I'd also heatshrink the end over to seal it off.

    I'm assuming that the original lead was only a 2 prong plug. Is this safe?

    Yep. Should be a Class 2 appliance. Have a look on the back for a little square-within-square or a double-d symbol.

    Good onya for fixing stuff! :D

    • Windows7forever on 14/11/2015 - 22:46
      +1

      I have performed the re-solder and it is now breathing life again. Great sound quality and very pleased with myself. Will make a nice addition for the hi-FI system that the family uses downstairs.

      I clipped off the earth wire, split and twisted the cables together, then soldered them up and wrapped in layers of electrical tape.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2015 - 08:05
        +1

        Nicely done.

        Achievement Unlocked - The Swanson

        Successfully serviced something with "No User Serviceable Parts Inside".

        • Windows7forever on 15/11/2015 - 09:21

          I was a little bit apprehensive because of the warnings on the back of the device.
          "Danger - voltage inside "do not open"
          But I was reassured that it is safe to do so if everything is unplugged and turned off.
          It's a Yamaha YST-SW50, in case you were wondering :)

        • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2015 - 10:00
          +1

          @wolfenator87:

          Yamaha YST-SW50

          Googles… Sweet find. Amazing what some people chuck out.

  • bb_hunter on 14/11/2015 - 16:02
    +3

    Class 2 is double insulated and not require earthing. So if your sub casing is wood or plastic it should be fine to use a 2 pin plug or recycle a figure 8 power cord (IEC C7).
    Just make sure they didn't cut off the plug due to internal power supply fault. I would check for any obvious sign of fault (burnt component, blown fuse) before connect it to the 240v mains.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appliance_classes#Class_II

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