by Jeff Andrews, Northern Tails Sharpening
Some clippers have voltage converters at the end their cords. Voltage is converted from 120 volts AC to DC current. DC motors have more torque and seem to hold their speed better through tough coats. Unfortunately some groomers have problems with clipper cords equipped with voltage converters.
One of the problems is the extra weight added to cords by converters. As a result cords may break or short just in the area where the cord attaches to clippers. I have some preventative suggestions to avoid letting this happen to your clippers by making some simple modifications.
The thick part of the cord that connects to the clipper is called the “Stress Relief.” It should be stiff and make the cord do the bending out past the stress relief where the cord is thinner. However, twisting and turning by groomers can cause the cord to short behind the clipper. I found using a zip-tie on the cord to the hanger in the back keeps the cord from twisting behind the clipper. Instead the cord twists and bends out where the cord is smaller which is what it was designed to do. Refer to the picture (above) showing you how to zip-tie your cord the same way. If you need the hanger to hang your clipper, get a key ring and run it through the hanger and then hang your clipper from it.
There is an even simpler usage modification for cords equipped with voltage converters. These converters, even though they are small, are packed with components.
If you accidently pull this cord and converter out of the wall and it hits the floor or grooming table or workstation, the chances of one of these components breaking is great. As a result the cord goes dead and no electricity goes to the clipper.
Refer to the picture of the converter above. As you can see, there are quite a bit of electronics packed into a small box, and it doesn’t take that big of a whack to break something inside if its pulled from the wall socket and it hits your grooming table.
The solution? Get a power strip and set it on the floor. Then plug your cord with the converter into the power strip. Now it cannot fall from the floor. You just saved yourself the expense of a new cord and sending it off for repairs.
In conclusion, if you zip-tie your cord now before it starts to short out, and get a power strip to plug it in on the floor, I think your problems will be over.
As always, read all your labels and manuals, and have a safe day grooming! ♦
