Power Cord Relocation to Back of Motor Pan

[br549]

I have enjoyed and learned so many things about helpful and easy modifications and improvements that other members have made to their machines, that I thought this might be of interest to someone. It is not a recent modification, but one that I did a couple of years ago and am glad I did every time I use my machine.

The power cord exiting out of the bottom of the motor pan of my 500 always seemed to be in conflict with something. When I added some below bench tube storage, the cord had to be bent more sharply than I preferred to be out of the way. My underneath storage includes a sliding tray on top which slides to the rear, so more conflict. Whenever I want to clean out the motor pan or remove the motor to give it a good cleaning, I usually just partly raise the way tubes a few inches, drop the motor pan and can slip off the belt (after speed has been turned to "Fast" before turning off). I used to unplug all of the wires at the switch, but now I just remove the switch and leave wires attached until motor pan dropped and then only disconnect 2 wires from power cord ... much easier to get tabs on or off without reaching inside access hole. The power cord coming out of the bottom was always something else to protect while dropping the motor pan, or when setting motor pan on bench after it was removed.

My solution was to just move where power cord exits from bottom to the backside of the motor pan.

I found the strain relief fitting at Grainger. Replacement rubber boots that commonly come on portable power tools are also available online from eBay and others. For a tighter fit, and to give cord more stiffness, I wrapped the first 18" or so of cord with electrical tape. The old power cord exit hole on bottom was plugged with an electrical knock out filler.

[algale]

Interesting mod, thanks for sharing.

[terrydowning]

I just may do this mod.
I don't have a Grainger account or access to a local Grainger so Amazon will have to do.

This one should do.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O9WHGKC

[br549]

I just may do this mod.
I don't have a Grainger account or access to a local Grainger so Amazon will have to do.

This one should do.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O9WHGKC

Yes, that looks very similar and in fact I like the threaded connection better than the snap together feature of the one I used. I can't find the receipt for the one I got, but did find it in the Grainger online catalog. I seem to recall it was not stocked in my local Grainger, but it was shipped to the store and I was able to pick it up there. It is actually made by Hubbell, so a well stocked electrical supply house may have it (or could get it) as well.