[Elecraft] Power pole connection comes loose

[Bob K6UJ]

After a number of problems of the PowerPole connectors using the cheaper crimper tool
I bought the good crimping tool for the connectors.  No more problems.
Yes they have to remain straight.  They are fairly easy to bend so be careful.  I lay a straight edge 
along the backside of the contactor to check for straight.  And the second big thing is you need to hear the "click"
as the pins snap in place.  Occasionally I dont hear the cick and insert a small narrow blade 
screwdriver alongside the wire and push down until I hear the click.  As a final check, look
at the end of the connector when finished.  You can see if the curved end of the metal contactor
has snapped over the contactor in the power pole.  These two things, making sure you dont bend the 
contactor and checking for the "click" are the secret to good connections all the time with the PowerPoles.

Another discussion is about whether to push in the roll pin to lock the PP connectors side by side.
My preference is not to use the roll pins.  I have had the roll pins drop out.  That is the last thing I want is 
for one of them to fall down inside a radio.  Unfortunately they dont always stay in snugly like they should.
Your call.


73,
Bob
K6UJ




On Dec 3, 2012, at 6:40 PM, Greg Troxel wrote:

>  I was working cw with about 95 watts when my K3 shut down.  I checked the
>  power pole connection and it had come slightly loose and was pretty warm,
>  so I let it cool and then re inserted it to the radio, and this seems to
>  work OK.  I've seen some comments about how to make this a more positive
>  connection.  I don't see the roll pin hole on the radio connector?
> 
> The other powerpole issue is using a cheap crimp tool, where the pin can
> be bent.  While I concur 100% with Don's advice about the pins clicking
> over the lower pieces, even with them in place they can make bad contact
> if they are bent.
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