[Elecraft] Power Pole connectors

[Richard Solomon]

Something must be wrong with the way they are installed. I used P-P's for
years in the mobile (a 4X4 that was off-road as much as on) and NEVER had
an inadvertent disconnect.

73, Dick, W1KSZ


On 2/17/2015 12:05 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On Tue,2/17/2015 10:41 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote:
>> I do recall that
>> they were difficult to insert into the plastic shell after soldering
>> because some solder leaked out around the contacts, and I had to
>> basically clean it off.
>
> I've assembled hundreds of Power Pole connector sets -- they're on 
> everything in my station that runs on DC, and on all of the non-ham 
> gear powered by wall warts or other DC supplies. I've never seen a 
> Power Pole crimper -- all of mine are soldered.
>
> I find them very easy to do, once you understand how they work. Inside 
> each plastic housing is a spring. The contacts have a sort of curled 
> lip that is intended to fit over that spring, which locks it in 
> position. The contact must be inserted so that the curl is in the 
> right direction, and it must be pushed all the way to the spring. 
> Usually you will hear a click when that happens.
>
> For small diameter wire, I often must use a small screw driver (like 
> the miniature Xcelite Red or Green) to push the contact from the wire 
> side of the housing. For large diameter wire, it may be necessary to 
> strip a bit more insulation so that it fits into the housing.
>
> The only times I find it difficult to install a Power Pole is when I'm 
> using #10 wire, which requires the largest of the three sizes of 
> contacts (the type with the U-shaped holder for the wire). The wire 
> must be very carefully tinned, inserted very carefully, and the 
> U-shaped holder carefully folded over so that it fits into the 
> housing. I do this with a pair of needlenose pliers. A crimper might 
> make that easier.
>
> The only times I've had Power Poles disconnect were when the DC cable 
> for one of my K3s was too short, and I pulled the radio forward.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
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