Silvertone 1484 install 3 prong power cord

[misterc57]

Realized the other night during band practice that I need to install a 3 prong power cord on my 1484. I had a live microphone in my left hand and touched the input jack with my right hand. Even though the 1484 was OFF, I got zapped.
The next night with the amp OFF, I measured 120 VAC between all four input jack ground and the house ground. If I flip the ground switch it went down to about 9 VAC.

When I convert to 3 prong I will remove the death cap.

Also thinking I should disconnect these components from the circuit; the ground switch and the convenience outlet. Looking for confirmation and opinions?

Thank you. MC

[Amp Kat]

Yes you pretty much have it. usually the ground wire works best if you isolate it in te corner by itself close to the AC input and keep it short as possible.

[The Dude]

You can do as you wish, of course, but I usually leave the courtesy outlet. You can safely run pedals and the like that use wall warts and are transformer isolated.

[misterc57]

Is 18 gauge wire okay to use for the replacement cord wires?

And, any one have tips for working with those strain relief plugs? Re-using the old one is difficult because the new cords are thicker. I have a package of new strain relief plugs but they are larger than the hole. Aside from drilling a larger hole, any ideas?

Thank you, MC

[J M Fahey]

Since you now have 3 wires instead of 2, of course you'll need a larger hole.

No big deal, even a file and 5 minutes work is enough for that.

FWIW if they had used 3 wire cables, Silvertone themselves would have punched the larger hole themselves.

Only detail is that the green/yellow ground wire must be, say, an inch *longer* than the others, the idea being that if a gorilla yanks the cable it will break last.