Power plug for new enlarger

[reub2000]

My photography teacher gave me an Omega B-600 enlarger, that he had laying around. Problem is that it's previous owner had decided to cut the power cord instead of pulling it out. I can see 3 wires. I'm not an electrician. What would I need to do in order to connect it to a power plug?

Also, could I possibly clean out the rear element of the lens. It is very dirty.

 

[richard ide]

Hi
Buy a replacement 3 wire plug from a hardware store 110volt, 15 amp. Your power cord should have a black, white and green wire. Attach the black wire to the wider of the 2 flat prongs of the plug and the white to the other flat prong. The green wire attaches to the "U" shaped prong. If you are unfamiliar with this ask at the store where you buy it or PM me if you need to. To clean the lens use a soft lint free cloth or lens tissue with either lens cleaner or 1 drop of dish detergent in about 2 cups water. apply the liquid to the cloth only very sparingly (just damp). clean the lens using no pressure and change the surface of the cloth in contact with the lens often so you dont scratch the surface.

 

[Monophoto]

Reub -

To add to Richard's comment, when you purchase the replacement plug, you will probably find that the screw connections inside it are color coded. The green wire should connect to the green screw, the white wire to the silver colored screw, and the black wire to the gold colored screw. Strip back about 1/2' of insulation to expose the bare wire, wrap the wire around the screw in a clockwise direction, and then tighten.

 

[richard ide]

Could not have put it better myself.

 

[reub2000]

To clean the lens use a soft lint free cloth or lens tissue with either lens cleaner or 1 drop of dish detergent in about 2 cups water. apply the liquid to the cloth only very sparingly (just damp). clean the lens using no pressure and change the surface of the cloth in contact with the lens often so you don't scratch the surface.

That's not the problem. The lens seems to be welded or something to the enlarger. I can't just easily stick some cloth onto the rear element.

 

[DBP]

The lens should unscrew - it's a 39mm thread mount.

 

[reub2000]

If it's a screw mount, shouldn't it turn when I turn the base?

 

[srs5694]

I've heard of people glueing lenses onto lens boards. If this is what's wrong, you might need to look into glue solvents. (I don't know much about this topic, I'm afraid.)

It's also possible that it's just plain stuck. If this is the case, a spray lubricant might help you get it loose, but of course you'll have to be careful to keep the lubricant off the lens elements.

Another thing you might try is heating, the theory being to cause expansion of the mount, releasing the "locked" lens. An oven on low heat might do the job, but if somebody warns you off this idea, follow that advice -- I've never tried this before, and I can't guarantee that heating a lens won't damage it.