John Haskey wrote in 160802 MMDigest:

> All the connections are (were) within a giant wad of friction tape.
> I'm wondering how the wiring was set up from the factory.  Is the wad
> of tape typical of Seeburg?  I'm hoping not.  How should it be done?

John, I don't know how the factory wired your Seeburg L; friction tape
was commonly used to wrap connections (which were usually soldered in
those days).

Adding a grounded cord is a great plan.  It doesn't need to be a molded
plug cord though (personal preferences there, I suspect), but it will
allow you to ensure that the hot wire is the one switched.  This will
also allow you to add a switch to turn the lights on and off if you
want, although some of us are now in the habit of unplugging our
machines when not in use, as a safety measure.  No one wants to loose
an instrument due to an electrical fire!

The ground wire should go to any large metal case piece that has
electrical wiring in it.  Considering that most of these instruments
are wood, that can be problematic!  You can use twist-lock connectors,
and then tape them (individually), or you can purchase a connection
block (these come in multiple sizes from 2 to around 10 connectors)
and mount it inside the case for all your electrical connections, which
would be the tidiest install, and allow easy servicing later.

This is a situation where improving on the original installation is
a matter of safety and preservation; plus, it sounds like what you have
there is not the original installation.  If you're not familiar with
wiring, find someone who is to help you (not necessarily a professional
electrician) who could be a fellow hobbyist, or model railroad guy
(they do lots of wiring!) etc. etc.  It might cost you only some pizza
and root beer.  Hmmm; or a root beer float...!

David Dewey
Oroville, California