[Elecraft] K3 Powerpole Replacement

[David Ferrington, M0XDF]

Hi Jeff, I can see others have said the same thing, but I'll add my 2p worth - it's your APP assembly that is the problem. Not likely to be the K3 end (but possible), it's the cable end and there is one major cause: 

The contacts have not been pushed completely home during assembly. 

If the contacts have been soldered, it's possible the solder has spread across the contact in such a way as to prevent the contact being pushed completely home.

Never had a problem with the cable pulling out of the K3s APPs and not had to secure it in any way.

I have been using APPs for ALL my 12v gear for > 6 years now, with no problems at all - all contacts are crimped, not soldered (once you've decided to go the APP route, buy a really good crimp tool). I replaced the intermittent molex connector on my FT-857 with APPs and stopped all the problems with the rig cutting out use. That rig was moved from a base rig to a portable rig and back again every week and I've never had a problem with the APPs.

73 de David, M0XDF (K3 #174, P3 #108)
-- 
The ostrich roams the great Sahara. Its mouth is wide, its neck is narra.
It has such long and lofty legs, I'm glad it sits to lay its eggs. 
- Ogden Nash (1902-1971)

On 9 Dec 2013, at 01:45, Jeff Cochrane wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> Has anyone on the list replaced the Anderson powerpoles on their K3's with something else?
> (Something like the 4 pin plugs and sockets that are fitted to most current YaeComWoods I guess)
> Why do I want to replace them you ask?
> Well, because my K3 gets around and more often than not sits on a wobbly table whilst I'm out in the scrub or occasionally even sits in my lap whilst I'm operating.
> The powerpoles has once again raised their ugly heads and keep disconnecting or not making proper contact and I'm fed up with them.
> I just want a connector that I can plug in and it will stay there, sadly that has not been the case with either genuine Anderson powerpoles or all the different brands of knock-offs.