speedotron 2401a and power cord

I recently recieved a speedotron 2401a power supply and can not find

a power cord to fit in the socket. It is over 30 years old and has a

round socket. I ordered the correct cord twice and as with a regular

extention cord they did not fit. Every cord has a notch sticking out

by where the two straight prongs go in which prevent it from reaching

the prongs. This seems so stupid but it doesn't work. Anyone know

whats going on here?

Cut off the extra bit of plastic from the socket end of the cord so it fits. Don't remove or disable the ground, just sculpt the plastic on the end of the cord.

This sounds just like the setup on my Norman 2400. I went to home depot and found an end that would fit and stuck it on one of those pre made up power tool cables with the molded plug end.

Be very aware of four things before you try to use that pack.

 

1.) It sounds like the pack hasn't been turned on in awhile. The capacitors most likely need to be reformed. With the pack turned off and unplugged from the wall. Plug in one head, flip the switches to combine all three banks, turn the pack on, plug the AC cord into the pack and only then plug the AC cord into the wall. Let it sit there for an hour or two before firing it once. After it fires once unplug from the wall and then plug it in again it in and fire again. give it about ten seconds between pops.

 

2.) Because the pack is so old and if it hasn't been used regularly it is quite possible that one or more capacitors might have developed problems (leakage, corrosion) . If this is the case the capacitors that are damaged will likely blow up and take others with it. A 2400 watt-second pack blowing up is a pretty incredible sound. Imagine someone coming up behind you and firing off all four loads in a couple of double barreled shotguns in what ever room you are in. It will get your attention. If this is the case immediately disconnect the pack from the wall.

 

3.) NEVER EVER plug in or unplug a head into a Speedotron pack of any vintage without first turning the pack off and firing it to dump the stored energy. NEVER EVER.

Be very aware of four things before you try to use that pack.

 

Dear Ellis,

Just to thank you for the advice you have given on the Speedotron Black line 2401A power pack. I am getting one, and I'm also not sure when it was last used. I find the warning messages you have posted very valuable. They date over 10years, but I still have faith in the Speedotron technology.

Once more, sincere thanks.

I recall reading "someplace" about a forming sequence to use for a LONG not used pack.

It had to do with powering the pack in stages of an increasing number of seconds. So the caps would gradually charge up and form, rather than full charge at one shot.

But I can't find my notes on what the process was.

Interesting advice here. I am wary of using a common power cord and have found the correct speedotron model cord online having the round connector.

ellis_vener_photography's advice is greatly appreciated since my Speedotron 2401sx has been in storage for over 10 years in an air conditioned climate controlled storage facility. Since I live in a condo I am a bit nervous about the "explosion" warning. I emailed Speedotron to get their input. I will update this when ready. Hopefully things will turn out the way I hope.