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OT? Sears Craftsman Weed Whacker

N

NSM

Jan 1, 1970
0
Did any/all of these types of weed whackers use a 2 prong plug? Why not a
3 - with a ground?

Double Insulated? Does it have the symbol?

N
 
K

Ken Weitzel

Jan 1, 1970
0
Lou said:
Hi,

Some one dropped of a Sears Craftsman Electric Weed Whacker - the electric
cord was all taped up, a white wire sticking out of the handle near the
trigger. It was pinched when the handle was attempted to be reassembled.

I was told, this unit was "shocking" the owner when being used. I'm not much
of a fan of "electric" weed whackers, therefore paid little attention to
them. This model has a 2 prong plug on it, the cord - the basic appliance
type cord of 15 Amp or so.

Did any/all of these types of weed whackers use a 2 prong plug? Why not a
3 - with a ground???? I'm wondering if this cord was replaced before being
brought here. I haven't opened it up as yet - to take a look see. Was hoping
to get some info on this thing before hand. There is no model number on it
that I can see. The only label left on it, is "Craftsman".

IF there is a Sears site or anywhere else I can go to get the wiring scheme
on this, please let me know.

Thanks,

Lou

Hi Lou...

Take this with a grain of salt... I'm old and long
retired. :)

Regardless, though I have no Craftsman electric yard
stuff, I do have other makers, and they're all two plug - no
ground.

I suspect what happened is that too many people bent or
broke off the ground pin so they could use two wire
extensions, so the manufacturers went to that double
insulated plastic idea.

In any case, don't even think of plugging it in while
that white wire is exposed.

Also, replace the cord; don't even think about taping up
the current one.

Take care.

Ken
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
Lou said:
Hi,

Some one dropped of a Sears Craftsman Electric Weed Whacker - the electric
cord was all taped up, a white wire sticking out of the handle near the
trigger. It was pinched when the handle was attempted to be reassembled.

I was told, this unit was "shocking" the owner when being used. I'm not much
of a fan of "electric" weed whackers, therefore paid little attention to
them. This model has a 2 prong plug on it, the cord - the basic appliance
type cord of 15 Amp or so.

Did any/all of these types of weed whackers use a 2 prong plug? Why not a
3 - with a ground???? I'm wondering if this cord was replaced before being
brought here. I haven't opened it up as yet - to take a look see. Was hoping
to get some info on this thing before hand. There is no model number on it
that I can see. The only label left on it, is "Craftsman".

IF there is a Sears site or anywhere else I can go to get the wiring scheme
on this, please let me know.

Thanks,

Lou


I've never seen an electric weed eater with a 3 prong plug, they're always
double insulated. It's better that way since it's all too common for people
to cut off the ground prong.
 
S

spudnuty

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have all electric lawn care stuff and never run it without my GFCI
pigtail at the outlet.
Richard
 
N

NSM

Jan 1, 1970
0
Except for where it says Craftsman, that is all I am able to read on it. All
other labeling is shot.............

99.9% it is double insulated. You MUST repair it back to that standard -
replace any broken or cracked plastic parts etc. to ensure safety AND use it
from a GFCI. Death is too high a price to pay for a weed free lawn.

N
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi,

Some one dropped of a Sears Craftsman Electric Weed Whacker - the electric
cord was all taped up, a white wire sticking out of the handle near the
trigger. It was pinched when the handle was attempted to be reassembled.

I was told, this unit was "shocking" the owner when being used. I'm not much
of a fan of "electric" weed whackers, therefore paid little attention to
them. This model has a 2 prong plug on it, the cord - the basic appliance
type cord of 15 Amp or so.

Did any/all of these types of weed whackers use a 2 prong plug? Why not a
3 - with a ground???? I'm wondering if this cord was replaced before being
brought here. I haven't opened it up as yet - to take a look see. Was hoping
to get some info on this thing before hand. There is no model number on it
that I can see. The only label left on it, is "Craftsman".

IF there is a Sears site or anywhere else I can go to get the wiring scheme
on this, please let me know.

Thanks,

Lou
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
spudnuty said:
I have all electric lawn care stuff and never run it without my GFCI
pigtail at the outlet.
Richard

All outdoor outlets should be connected to a GFCI already, but a pigtail
with another one won't hurt.
 
N

none

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi,

Some one dropped of a Sears Craftsman Electric Weed Whacker - the electric
cord was all taped up, a white wire sticking out of the handle near the
trigger. It was pinched when the handle was attempted to be reassembled.

I was told, this unit was "shocking" the owner when being used. I'm not much
of a fan of "electric" weed whackers, therefore paid little attention to
them. This model has a 2 prong plug on it, the cord - the basic appliance
type cord of 15 Amp or so.

Did any/all of these types of weed whackers use a 2 prong plug? Why not a
3 - with a ground???? I'm wondering if this cord was replaced before being
brought here. I haven't opened it up as yet - to take a look see. Was hoping
to get some info on this thing before hand. There is no model number on it
that I can see. The only label left on it, is "Craftsman".

IF there is a Sears site or anywhere else I can go to get the wiring scheme
on this, please let me know.

Thanks,

Lou

No need to have a ground plug on an appliance that is double
insulated, completely encased in plastic.
Yes virtually all Sears weed-whackers and electric leaf blowers etc...
that I've worked on were two prong.
Sears does have a website where you can get schematics and parts.
www3.sears.com

You will have to have a part # though.
If the label is gone on the unit try reverse tracking the part. Take
the case apart and get the part # off the plastic housing.
Run that through the sears parts finder at the above link and it
should tell you what model # it's for.
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
NSM said:
Double Insulated? Does it have the symbol?

N

Except for where it says Craftsman, that is all I am able to read on it. All
other labeling is shot.............

Lou
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ken Weitzel said:
Hi Lou...

Take this with a grain of salt... I'm old and long
retired. :)

Regardless, though I have no Craftsman electric yard
stuff, I do have other makers, and they're all two plug - no
ground.

I suspect what happened is that too many people bent or
broke off the ground pin so they could use two wire
extensions, so the manufacturers went to that double
insulated plastic idea.

In any case, don't even think of plugging it in while
that white wire is exposed.

Also, replace the cord; don't even think about taping up
the current one.

Take care.

Ken

Oh believe me, that was not even a thought. My Momma didn't raise any fool.
I don't mind repairing items regardless what they are and so far have been
pretty good or lucky, but it just struck me off, this thing wasn't
"grounded". Or at least by use of a 3 prong plug and cable.

I'll check it out well before this sucker is plugged in. Now, to find a cord
to fit it!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for info

Lou
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
James Sweet said:
I've never seen an electric weed eater with a 3 prong plug, they're always
double insulated. It's better that way since it's all too common for
people
to cut off the ground prong.
\>

Well, that answers my question. Guess I got to find a cord and wire it
accordingly. Thanks!

Lou
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
spudnuty said:
I have all electric lawn care stuff and never run it without my GFCI
pigtail at the outlet.
Richard
\>

That was what I was going to suggest with or without a 3 prong cord, once
returned to them.....

Thanks,

Lou
 
S

Sam Goldwasser

Jan 1, 1970
0
NSM said:
99.9% it is double insulated. You MUST repair it back to that standard -
replace any broken or cracked plastic parts etc. to ensure safety AND use it
from a GFCI. Death is too high a price to pay for a weed free lawn.

I guess you haven't met some avid gardeners then. :)

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L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
James Sweet said:
All outdoor outlets should be connected to a GFCI already, but a pigtail
with another one won't hurt.

I agree, any home with an outdoor access to electricity, should have a GFCI.
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
none said:
No need to have a ground plug on an appliance that is double
insulated, completely encased in plastic.
Yes virtually all Sears weed-whackers and electric leaf blowers etc...
that I've worked on were two prong.
Sears does have a website where you can get schematics and parts.
www3.sears.com

You will have to have a part # though.
If the label is gone on the unit try reverse tracking the part. Take
the case apart and get the part # off the plastic housing.
Run that through the sears parts finder at the above link and it
should tell you what model # it's for.

WOW, thanks for the website, I appreciate it. I'll go look at it. Getting in
touch with the person who dropped this off, isn't easy. I'm going to ask if
perhaps he has the manual yet, for a model number. If not, then I'll do my
search the other way - maybe I'll start it anyway, just in case I can find
it sooner than getting in touch with the party. As I said, I'm not and never
was much of an "electrical" weed whacker or mower" fan due to not wanting to
lug an extension cord around. I have repaired electrical items before and
without problem. I do electronics repairs for a living. I just never paid
any attention to the Electrical lawn items to see how they were wired since
I didn't like them. I was just amazed they weren't "grounded" via a 3
conductor cord. I understand the double insulated idea, but it just seemed
to me - a step more would have been better. But that is why they are the
designers and I'm not.

Lou
 
L

Lou

Jan 1, 1970
0
NSM said:
99.9% it is double insulated. You MUST repair it back to that standard -
replace any broken or cracked plastic parts etc. to ensure safety AND use
it
from a GFCI. Death is too high a price to pay for a weed free lawn.

N

I have no argument with that! I had no intentions of doing it any other way.

Lou
 
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