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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2068 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject: Canadian westy-rotten wire warning |
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Hi all: Just as an FYI... Canadian westies use an extension cord which pulls out from the lower "outlet" on the side of the van. Mine showed some cracking in the 25 year old rubber sheath. When I stripped the sheath back, to fasten a new plug ,I found that the rubber coating had thoroughly disintigrated inside leaving the copper exposed to shorts and possible fire hazard. If yours is the same vintage have a look before you have trouble _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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Perales Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 2046 Location: Nova Scotia
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the heads up. I used my cord extensively this summer while camping in Gaspe and had no issues, but I will certainly give it a good looking at. The problem with internal cord damage is that you can't see it! Anybody have a good way to check something like this? _________________ -- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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brianu Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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We have this??
I have an 85 and don't have this..
Can you provide a pic? _________________ 1985 Vanagon GL Westfalia - Bronze Beige Metallic - Engine: 1990 Subaru EJ22 - GoWesty Syncro liftkit - Poptop Struts - 135AH of house batteries |
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2068 Location: Ontario Canada
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brianu Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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Nope, two up, one down...
I'm guessing the electrical plug was replaced at sometime with a replacement. It just has the prongs inside it.
Was there any changes to the inside to deal with the retractable cord?
B _________________ 1985 Vanagon GL Westfalia - Bronze Beige Metallic - Engine: 1990 Subaru EJ22 - GoWesty Syncro liftkit - Poptop Struts - 135AH of house batteries |
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2068 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject: wiring |
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No changes really- probably the PO removed the extension cord system and replaced it with the available US style _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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spitsnrovers Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005 Posts: 924 Location: Calgary, Canada
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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On my recent rebuild, I modified my Canadian style power cord as follows:
Cut the existing cord to about 3 feet long (measure to be sure), and re attach the ends to the circuit breaker inside the cabinetry.
This leaves the 3 pin plug about 8 inches outside the plastic power cord door.
Then use a regular heavy duty construction grade extension cord, (25 foot) to plug between it and the power source.
This has several advantages:
1. built in neon light to be sure there is power in the extension cord,
2. ability to remove the extension cord and wipe it of mud, snow, etc before rolling it up and stowing it in the usual place (or a better one if you wish). It was awfully hard to wipe the "push-in" style heavy cable.
3. IF I should drive away before unplugging, the extension cord will simply part from the 8 inch long built-in piece because the angle of pull will always be straight along the cable, no matter how many angles or tangles are in the extension cord on its way to, or at the power pole outlet.
4. only 8 inches of cable to push back into the van! _________________ '88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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