Mystery Mains Connector

My wife has a tiny ‘travel iron’ which she uses for pressing patchwork details

Unfortunately, this has a ridiculously heavy and stiff mains cable, with a poorly-fitting connector.

The iron is only rated at 25W

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Does anyone recognise V-5-2 ... and is there anywhere I can buy one with a nice flexible lead [or is there even a rewire-able version] ?

MichaelG.

Looks very much the same as the charging lead on my Karcher window vac, but of course that's only low voltage. Is there any chance a standard figure of 8 lead would fit? I think they are called C7.

Phil

That's one I've never seen before!

There are many similar ones, but the 'V' shaped notch is unusual. I would be tempted, because its low wattage, to find something like an old electric shaver lead and trim the moulding to suit the iron recess. Obviously the spacing and pin diameter need to be in the right ball-park.

Is the iron marked as double insulated? it should be really.

Ian P

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Not as it stands, Phil ... The vee is quite pronounced

Thanks for the thought though.

MichaelG.

..if only we had a milling machine..

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Yes ... marked as double insulated

MichaelG.

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Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/04/2021 17:16:29

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That may indeed be the solution [even if it doesn’t answer the question]

MichaelG.

Re 'milling machine' above. What about a Dremel on the recess of the iron?

A polarised connector is not needed so removing the whole male part of the V will not matter, Again, pin spacing and diameter on whatever lead you can find will determine what is possible.

Ian P

My guess would be that the cable is stiff because it is a hot condition type, and perhaps that is why the non-standard connector is used (like the difference between a computer "kettle lead" and a real kettle lead.

Having said that, this non-reversible connector looks similar, but without a drawing or clearer photo (from the supplier, not Michael) it is hard to tell.

Type C52 connector

Brian G

Michael, what size is it compared to a Figure of 8?
In the past, I've modified a C7 connector with a Dremmel and a round burr.
This was so I could use one, albeit unearthed in a clover leaf socket for my travel lead when we go on holiday.

Yes it is carefully soldered and each core insulated, as well as the overall joint being double sleeved as well.
It lets me use 4 camera chargers, or 3 chargers and a laptop from a single outlet, which is quite handy.
I have one for UK plugs, one US and this EU style.

There's various proprietary connectors, many of which are now discontinued, particularly in the EU
https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/PowerCord1.html

Bill

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It's easily small enough to do on the BCA ... just more faff than I was hoping for

MichaelG.

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Thanks, Bill ... but that’s where I started my quest

Drew a blank, so came to the forum

Pin diameter and spacing looks identical to the typical fig 8 connectors ... but I will check more carefully.

I suspect that the ‘special High Temperature version’ may be the gotcha

MichaelG.

The lead is probably stiff because it is cheap and nasty heat resistant cable. The connector is non-standard. This is because you should not be able to use a non heat resistant cable on a heating device ( hence difference between C13 computer leads and C15 kettle leads). Using a different lead by modifying it or the iron will reduce its safety.

A bigger concern is the sole plate of the iron appears to be metallic This would almost certainly need a 3 core earthed connection. I would bin it and by a travel iron from a reptutable manufacturer. While this one does have a CE mark, the label is clearly not compliant and the website does not exist.

Robert G8RPI.

Edited By Robert Atkinson 2 on 06/04/2021 18:21:27

Bin it and look for a known brand. As already mentioned, the metal soleplate must be earthed.

Not allowed to bin it ... it says so on the label

MichaelG.

Just for interest, the UK company importing them from India went bust a few years ago
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/2936066

The web address used to be correct, according to the Internet Archive.
https://web.archive.org/web/20161028211527/http://www.teamuki.com/index.php?route=common/home

And you can still import them yourself if you wish, direct from India, but I guess only by the pallet load, and I'm not sure about electrical certification.
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/micro-iron-4590020473.html

None of which helps you obtain a replacement lead of course.

Bill.

Michael , Wonder if those kind and knowledgable people at Bulgin would be able to help ? Trevor .

HP used to use them at one time. I had to get a non polarised plug and grind a slot into it.

For what it’s worth ... the cheap and nasty cable is branded KEMA-KEUR and proudly carries its details

... too much information to be worth quoting here; except to mention that the conductors are each.0.75mm^2, which is rather hefty for 25W

**LINK** https://www.dekra.com.cn/en/cables-and-wiring/

The cable is dated 1997, and the product was supplied by ‘Comet’

[ I picked it up, apparently unused, at a Charity Shop ]

The box states that it uses “PTC technology” and works on 100V to 250V”

... this may, or may not, also imply that the soleplate is adequately insulated from the electrics

MichaelG.

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Here’s what little I currently know about PTC heating: **LINK**

https://www.pelonistechnologies.com/blog/three-benefits-of-ptc-heating-technology

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Edit: __ Thanks for the recent posts 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/04/2021 20:20:17

OK don't bin it, "dispose of in a legal and environmentally friendly manner" with extreme prejudice

Being PTC based means it will maintain temperature but is no indication of the quality of insulation, It is very difficult / expensive to achive good thermal conductivity and the electrical insulation, including creapage and clearance, required for a class II (double insulated) appliance. I would be VERY suroised if this iron met the required safety standards. it is cheaper to use an earth wire. This was probably designed for 100 /115V

The UK importer probably went of of business so they didn't have to give refunds. Several of the items on the archived webpage clearly would not meet european safety standards e.g. 2 bar electric fire.

Robert G8RPI.