rewiring an old infra-red heatlamp
 

I'm in the process of rewiring an old infra-red heat lamp (300 watts) that probably dates from the 1930's. All wiring is shot and the nichrome heating element leads had broken away from their AC input terminals. I was able to repair the heating element and the AC power cord is standard; but, does anyone know of a source for high temperature wire that can be used to replace the old brittle wiring that runs from the base on the lamp up to the heating element? I don't know what type of insulation is on the original wire; but, it is brittle and looks like it has some type of coating on it.

Is it possible that the brittle wire could be asbestos insulation?

This is sort of expensive, but I bet it would work:

http://www.amazon.com/SILICONE-GLASS...mperature+wire

no affiliation,
jr

You can use glass tubing with wire inside. In those days, asbestos was commonly used; it was white and sort of fluffy in consistency. The terminals were swaged or crimped to avoid the use of solder. Occasionally welding was used.

Since it's a heat lamp and won't get terribly hot, you can use Teflon insulated wire, very easily found in electronics shops.

Of course, if you truly want to restore the unit you have to find out what was used in the first place.

Most wiring insulation I've seen on heaters from that era is asbestos covered with cloth. My early 50's electric heater's cord is made like this.

The line cord is a standard rubber insulated cord. The base-to-heater leads are not cloth covered. They are hard and brittle, looking much like a small twig.

I'm pretty sure I've seen some fiberglass "spaghetti" but I'm not sure where to get it. Might have to fish around in some late model heaters and see what you can find.

You may be able to locate some kapton insulated wire also.

Any halfway decent appliance repair place should have fiberglass insulated hookup wire or something equivalent... it's commonly used for burners on stoves and such.

I guess the bigger question is whether you still have a halfway decent appliance repair place near you... they're somewhat of a dying breed.