I know this is a really strange request, and I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum for my question but ...

We have two Elna sewing machines made in 1952 which use an obsolete Swiss mains connector plug. It plugs into this socket ...



Can anybody please suggest where I could try to get such a plug from, or even find out exactly what the proper name is for this type of plug? Maybe a sewing machine repair place which has been in business forever? A place that sells antique sewing machines? A forum for collectors of old electrical apparatus?

Whatever, any ideas will be very gratefully received!

Thank you.

I've sent an email to Elna with the picture. See what they come up with.

There is a 3 pole connector called a Kaltgerätestecker, which is shown here,
https://www.distrelec.ch/ger%C3%A4te...&-zubeh%C3%B6r

You might be successful in squeezing the connector, or cutting off the middle earth connection. This is a standard mains connector to a PC desktop.

Maybe you can e-mail the picture (of the sewing machine 220 volt connection), with the dimensions of the receptacle, to Distrelec, and maybe they can find a 2 pole cable for you? info@distrelec.com

Have you asked at your local electrician's shop?

Distrelec is about the best supplier, they have everything.

************************************************** ********

I have just seen that you are in Britain!

I think you could change the connection on the machine, using this modern connector,

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/0195912/

and then use a cable as above.

In the UK, Radio Spares is the best place to start looking for a part or a cable http://uk.rs-online.com/web/

You might try these people with the same question.

Link: http://whitesewingcenter.com/elnaparts.php

Excellent Verbier, this looks the correct part,

Note the two connectors. This receptacle was installed both vertical and horizontal on different Elna models. It makes no difference. If your Elna electronic or computer machine receptacle looks like this, this is the correct cord.
Click on the picture for a larger view
Order our # EL-4 cord. Fits many Elna electronic and computer models with two pin connections manufactured 1980-1990. U.S. 110 volt.

@Sbrinz

His/her model is from 1952 so from the photos, it seems that the EL-1 cord would be the most likely option to check. The website I linked asks that you send him the model number to confirm. Plus there might be a different cord for 110v and 220v.

At least with that photo and a quick email to the website listed, should get an answer. The person on the website will also need to know if just the cord is needed or also the foot-pedal.

Hi guys

Thank you very much indeed for your suggestions. I did try contacting Elna UK's "heritage centre", but they had never heard of the machine - even though it was the first one made by the company and was in production for 12 years!

Unfortunately there are two problems with White Sewing Center. One is that I am unable to confirm whether the connector on US-market 110V machines was the same as the European ones. The other is that Ray White does not accept payment by PayPal, card or bank transfer, and I have a major problem with companies which expect customers to jump through hoops for the privilege of spending their money with them.

I can of course remove both the original connector and mounting plate and make a new plate which will take a modern connector, but that is a last resort. While we use the machine for sewing, it is also collectable!

Those are the reasons why it seems that my best bet is to try and find a Swiss source of vintage electrical equipment. I believe that this sort of connector was used on 1950's slide projectors, amplifiers and office equipment as well as sewing machines, so I am wondering if maybe I could find a forum for collectors of such things? My problem there is thinking of the search terms for Google.ch !

As far as I know, this is the plug that I need



although this one (without the earth/ground contacts) also fits ...

In the 1950's the power cords were made from soft rubber and stranded copper, and by now the rubber will have perished and the insulation become unreliable! In those days two pin cables were also used on kettles and electric irons. Very unsafe, as there was no protection if the internal wiring failed.

The next problem is that electrical items may only be sold today with type approval, so you need to find a modern connector with 2 flat pins which can safely carry 1 amp.

Personally I would remove the 220 volt input plate, and construct a new one using modern 3 pin connectors and 3 core cables, and including an earth to the machine chassis. The purist can always replace the old connection and look at it in it's original form.

Yes, but it is only the plug I need. That is made of Bakelite

But this can hardly apply to individuals and to antique equipment, surely? Or are you saying that in Switzerland, a private individual (as opposed to a business) cannot sell me such a plug?

It's a good thing we've got guys who know about such things.
Elna have replied:

Guten Tag,
Leider müssen wir mitteilen, dass wir keine Teile für Ihre Nähmaschine mehr haben.
Mit freundlichen Grüssen
Elna International Corp.SA
1217 Meyrin/GE

Good afternoon.
Unfortunately we have to tell you that we no longer have parts for your sewing machine.
Yours sincerely,

Well at least they replied and pretty promptly too.

I had one of those green Elna's but I replaced it about thirty years ago. It still worked, but I fancied a newer model. However, I stupidly left the copy of the order form for it on the table and I think the old one caught a glimpse of it. He realised that his days were numbered. The next day, when I wanted to do some sewing, the trusty motor went up in a cloud of smoke!

You won't find old parts any more. They don't copy old parts exactly, as these would be illegal. Bakelite would not be allowed today as it cracks when dropped.
The new regulations are world wide. Maybe in a back street of a 3rd world country you could find someone to make you one.

Thank you Patty oops sorry Longbyt

Sid

Woops, brainfart! Sorry Longbyt. I meant of course Marcie.

Whatever, I now know that this plug is an IEC C9, which was also used on old Revox hi-fi equipment as well as some early Roland synths. I understand that the earthed/grounded version is almost impossible to find, but who cares ...

Sid

See page 53 of the following pdf file: http://www.vitamine.ch/Hosa%201%20-2008.pdf

Ebay.ch has some I think: http://stores.ebay.ch/FullOut-Produc...sub=2073114011

Here's one from the UK: http://www.leadsdirect.co.uk/product...ainsleads.html

Thanks for that but I just now ordered one from another UK supplier at literally half the price of leadsdirect - "the UK's ONLY supplier"

Problem solved.

Happy holidays/Christmas/whatever to one and all

Problem solved indeed ...

Well, there is wailing and gnashing of teeth here now I can tell you, for I have just tried my brand-new IEC C9 connector in the old Elna and it does not fit. The spacing between the two blades is right at 10mm, but the blades on the Elna are too wide and too thick to fit into the plug - however hard I try. So much for my three separate reliable sources who swore it was a C9.

This means I'm right back at square one, with the conviction that the plug I need is an obsolete Swiss one, correct designation unknown.

Would anybody care to suggest what might be good search terms for Ebay.ch - including for collectors of vintage radio/electrical equipment/slide projectors/film projectors/ 1950's office equipemnt?

Oy vey! And I'm not even Jewish ...

Hi

Try to get it with Pusterla in Zurich. It's an amazing shop with a wide range of "strange" things. Link is below

http://www.pusterla.ch/

I myself has an old elna machine with the plug but I promised it already to give away for free for charity in Africa.

Much luck.
Jirga

I really don't expect you to find a cable or a connector, as the design is obsolete.

But this major wholesaler near Zurich might be able to help you find the part:
please measure the contacts exactly, and attach the photo, E-Mail: verkauf@steffen.ch

http://www.steffen.ch/shop/index.jsp?lang=4

A. STEFFEN AG
Elektrohandel
Limmatstrasse 8
8957 Spreitenbach

Telephone 056 417 99 11
TeleFax 056 417 99 10
E-Mail verkauf@steffen.ch

Jirga and Sbrinz, thank you for your help!

And I think that now my post count is high enough for me to thank you in the approved manner ...

Sid