I'm stumped--what's this?

Brorag · December 20, 2012, 10:55:04 PM

(attached) appears to be old fashioned ceramic 20 amp 220 volt receptacle--what's its purpose?
J Dellinger

The Tassie Devil(le) · December 21, 2012, 12:14:44 AM

Definitely aftermarket, well, actually, ex housing.

I am thinking that someone wanted to install a trouble light, and only had household fittings to work with.

Check to see what voltage is at the terminals with a multimeter. Test on the high scale first, so you don't blow the meter up.

Bruce.

Classic · December 21, 2012, 09:52:53 AM

Maybe it's an easier way to connect a battery charger, as batteries from that vintage car were not always the easiest to get to. On my '37 Cadillac (battery under drivers seat), I have the ring terminal cables that came with my Battery Tender connected to my battery terminals so all I have to do is plug in the cable from the Battery Tender. It makes it easy to connect my Battery Tender.

TJ Hopland · December 21, 2012, 11:57:12 AM

That is sort of what I was thinking that it likely was a power connection that a previous owner put on. They just used connectors that were easy to source at the time. It may have been for something like a charger or perhaps some sort of accessory that maybe the owner moved between cars?

buicksplus · December 21, 2012, 11:54:53 PM

Hey, your car's a hybrid and that's a plug for the electric motor that's hidden inside!

How about that odd light next to it? Looks like a trouble light on a retractable cord like Pontiacs had in their engine comparments for years.

Guidematic · December 22, 2012, 12:06:07 PM

Follow that wire and see where it goes to.

Mike

Martin Michaels · December 23, 2012, 12:57:17 PM

I'll take a W.A.G. at it. Previous owner lived in the mountains, It's a plug in block heater.
Marty

The Tassie Devil(le) · December 23, 2012, 05:16:47 PM

I doubt if it was for plugging the mains power into as there would ve a safety issue with a live plug on the end of an extension cord.

Bruce.

Brorag · January 04, 2013, 02:13:36 PM

the other ends of the plug go ground and the starter. Since the starter is connected directly to the battery, it could be used as:
--charging point for battery
--extra juice for cold starts

jepstr67 · January 04, 2013, 05:27:08 PM

OBD2 port?

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

It looks like a 220v AC plug, but like the rest of you assume, I'd say a booster battery contact point.

Todd
1970 DeVille rag top.

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I'm stumped--what's this?