3 conductive strand wire...where to get it????

OK so Im gonna rewire a older comepressor/fan But it uses 3 conductive stranded wire, whats the best thing to use to replace it? they dont make such a thing anymore so I wanted to ask others what they have used for there projects strip solid core romex( house wire) and use that? meaning use the 2 covered wires NOT the bare ground copper. thanks again.

[Jim]

Adam,

I don't recall seeing 3-wire being utilized for condensor/evaporator fans; however, some compressors use 3-wire cord...

For the fans, I would use black lamp cord at least 16 gauge or higher.
The compressor can be wired utilizing black electrical cord for tools. Again, at least 16 gauge or higher. The colors in this type of wire are black, white and green; so be sure to pay attention to the wiring when substituting the green colored wire on each end...

[johnieG]

Hi All! just an FYI, some older electric motors used in soda-machines, like my Westinghouse WD12 chest cooler, did use a
permanent split phase motor which had three wires coming out of it, the third wire was connected across the start winding of the compressor & it's own run wire/winding. (by putting the  compressors winding in series with it's own run winding, it causes a 90- degree shift in the current/voltage relationship, which allows the motor to run, without this third wire the split phase electric motor won't even work) but the good news is when you are replacing an older 3-wire unit with a newer motor you don't need the third connection.  Oh and some evap. & condensor motors use a permanent split phase capacitor wire in line with the 3rd. wire...OK enough electronics 101, get back to class & no running in the halls!  

[johnieG]

here's a wiring diagram...

Hey thank guys for the Info Johnie ae you saying you can bypass the Start capacictor all togeather the diagram you show seems to suggest that, lol If we were talking about wiring a house or many other new electronics I wouldnt be lost But Im not versed in " old school" wiring. thanks again all

[johnieG]

No... the diagram shown is just an example of a Westinghouse WD12 compressor deck (simplified for easy digestion  yum!)
if you are keeping the original motor you will have to keep the  capacitor, as it won't work without it. the drawing above show how W.H. did it by instead of a capacitor they used the star twinding (backfeeding) from the compressor, either way you get a phase shift & the condensor fan motor will spin. actually the evaporators fan motor (up in the bottle area-not shown) Did use a capacitor , but when I replaced it, I only need two wires. Oh and SJO 16-3 (w/grnd) extention wire 16/awg will work fine, as the motor grounded through the frame, just use the green wire (tape it red at both ends) for your third connection to the cap.

K gotcha now I will post some pics when I clean everything paint and rewire it for kicks of course thanks  '>

[MoonDawg]

When choosing a new power cord, look for one that has the plug molded onto the cord and is listed as "waterproof"