[Ares-races] 12 volt power connectors

[N4AOF]

> Our local (Muskegon, Michigan) ARES-RACES group
> has discovered that we do not have an agreement on what
> 12 volt power connectors we all should be using.

Think seriously about exactly why you need one -- and how much your
members are prepared to spend (money and time/effort) to implement such
an agreement -- and what REAL value comes from doing so.

> ARRL recommends a Molex 1545 which no one
> is using due to availability.

The Molex connector is readily available -- but the ARRL has not been
"recommending" it in several years.

The current ARRL recommendation is the Anderson PowerPole, unfortunately
some of the information used to advocate the APP is less than 100%
accurate.

> What is being used are Radio Shack 274-222's,
> Radio Shack 274-151's and Anderson Powerpole
> connectors.

> My question is what is everyone else using?
> Has anyone used Molex 1545's?  Has anyone
> had problems with Molex 1545's?

The Molex connector is not adequate for today's high power mobile
radios.

The Anderson PowerPole is probably the Least Unsatisfactory connector
available if you feel a genuine need to "standardize" and your members
are willing to actually implement a standard AND your served agencies
are also willing to implement the same standard (or are willing to let
you spend your money and your time to install the standardized
connectors for them).

The one significant shortcoming of the APP is that the connectors are
totally genderless.  Even when color-code AND assembled in matched pairs
according to a "Standard" pattern, it is STILL possible to short circuit
the power connection.  A short circuit is highly unlikely if you are
connecting a two sets of properly matched pairs of connectors in full
view with two handed access -- however it is entirely within reason if
the connectors are out of sight and/or being connected one handed (both
of which are quite possible in mobile installations).

73 de N4AOF