[Elecraft] [K3] DC Power cable

[JIM DAVIS]

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:09:14 -0700
  Brett Howard <brett at livecomputers.com> wrote:
> Thats 25 pounds of pull to pull the metal bit out of the plastic bit...
> But it should require 3-5 pounds (depending on what connector detent
> style you have) of force before a mated connection separates.
> 
> ~Brett (N7MG)
> 
> On Sun, 2010-07-25 at 13:28 -0400, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Susan,
>> 
>> That usually means the APP was not assembled properly.  Make certain the 
>> blades are fully inserted into the housing.  The blades must latch over 
>> the spring fingers that are in the housing and it takes a good push with 
>> a thin screwdriver or other tool to seat properly.  When properly 
>> assembled, it takes about a 25 pound pull to disengage them.
>> If you assembled your K3 from a kit, check the connector on the K3 as 
>> well as the one on the cable - OR just check it anyway, there is always 
>> a chance that a factory assembler did not push hard enough to lock the 
>> blade.
>> 
>> If you mean that the red and black housings come apart, put a drop of 
>> superglue on the mating surfaces and they should be tight.  There is a 
>> hole intended for a roll-pin, but often the roll pin comes out and gets 
>> into places no metal should be, so if you do use a roll-pin, secure it 
>> with a bit of superglue.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>> 
>> ussv dharma wrote:
>> > The power pole connector cable I recd with my k3 has no place for a pin.
>> >
>> > The darned thing keeps disconnecting.
>> >
>> >
>> > HELP
>> >
>> >
>> > Great Grandmaw Susan
>> >
>> > If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, 
>>Skipper W7KFI-mm  AFA9SM                         USSV DHARMA 
>> >
>> >
>> > --- On Sun, 7/25/10, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >   
>> >> From: Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] DC Power cable
>> >> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> >> Date: Sunday, July 25, 2010, 6:41 AM
>> >> On Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:13:22 -0700
>> >> (PDT), ab2tc wrote:
>> >>
>> >>     
>> >>> Where should I look for a top quality connector? 
>> >>>       
>> >> I've converted all of my DC wiring to Power Poles, so I've
>> >> put 
>> >> together more than a hundred of these connectors. There are
>> >> three 
>> >> sizes of pins that fit the red and black shells used by
>> >> Elecraft. 
>> >> The small size is best for wires smaller than #18; the
>> >> middle size 
>> >> (most common) works up to #12, the larger size goes up to
>> >> #8 (and 
>> >> can be a very snug fit in the shell). I've always bought
>> >> them from 
>> >> hamfest vendors, but there are several vendors who
>> >> advertise in QST 
>> >> who sell them. They usually come in packs of ten, or ten
>> >> pairs. I've 
>> >> never crimped them, always soldered.
>> >>
>> >> Remember that voltage drop is proportional to length, so
>> >> shorter is 
>> >> better. 
>> >>
>> >> 73, Jim K9YC
************************************************************************************************
Jim,

Something else that should be noted, and obviously not everyone is PERFECT is that the size of the 
Wire-connector lug has to generally fit the gauge of wire that your using! I made that mistake for 
whatever reason and we had to "RE=WORK" all of our power-pole connections within our JEEP! 
Everything is now great but it's another "lesson learned" because we were in a hurry and trying to 
do it on the "cheap!"

Jim/nn6ee