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Author Topic: Jensen heater cord question  (Read 29 times)

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Jensen heater cord question
« on: August 15, 2026, 10:08:32 am »
I'm replacing a bad blanket heater in a Jensen with this one which still works, but it obviously needs a new power cord. Was just wondering about this sheathing that's under the firebox (yellow arrow in the attached photo). Is it important and what's underneath it?--just the power cord? Feels stiffer than the rest of the cord. Or made of fireproof material? I'm wondering if I should strip it off and solder the new cord onto a short section of the old one under that sheathing? All suggestions welcome.
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Re: Jensen heater cord question
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2026, 11:49:19 am »
One question.  If you bought an old Jensen that heated and
ran would you be taking it apart to check the wiring?
I know I wouldn't and I never have taken a runner apart
to check working wiring.  Anyway, the woven shroud is heat
resistant and just another reason Jensen products are
mostly bulletproof.  I suggest you figure out how to
do the swap.  I did just such a swap with no problems.

Good Luck,
Wayne
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Re: Jensen heater cord question
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2026, 02:49:05 pm »
Not sure I understand your question. The one I'm restoring had no heater at all--someone had removed it. Then bought a junk firebox (no engine) but with a working heater attached to the remnant of a power cord (shown in the photo). I'm putting that heater in the engine I'm working on but need to attach a new cord. My question was what's under that sheathing, just more of the power cord?
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  • Grumpa Tom
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Jensen heater cord question
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2026, 04:03:24 pm »
I recently restored a Jensen. Inside that heat resistant sheath are the two leads, soldered to a stiffer piece of wire each. That is the stiffness you are feeling. Note how many wires were cut and not passing current!

I did not re-use those. I just put a new cord on and attached the leads to the screw terminals. I also converted it to a 3-wire grounded cord. Works fine.
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Re: Jensen heater cord question
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2026, 04:07:01 pm »
Thanks Kmot--just what I was looking for. Looks like that sheathing is not so heat resistant after all.
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  • Grumpa Tom
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Re: Jensen heater cord question
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2026, 11:41:29 pm »
You're welcome. :)
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