[Elecraft] K3 and Power Poles

Tue Sep 13 18:48:39 EDT 2016

Hello all:

David, K6SBA, most graciously shared the solution with me. Powerwerx (see their website) sells a plastic clip that ties the mating connectors together, preventing them from slipping apart and disconnecting. The clip can be easily removed if needed. I just ordered a few of the clips for my installation. Now, that’ a solution! Thank you again David! You made my day!

Ramon, NQ9V

> On Sep 13, 2016, at 6:08 PM, George Kidder <gkidder at ilstu.edu> wrote:
> 
> Completely agree!  Soldering is effective, cheap and reliable if done right - as is crimping, bar the cost of the tool.
> 
> W3HBM
> 
> 
> On 9/13/2016 5:07 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>> FWIW, rather than invest in crimpers and practice as needed to get great crimps, I simply solder the wires into the terminals as recommended by Wayne.
>> 
>> I place the terminals over the bare ends and solder, filling the part you might crimp with solder. It's useful to align the terminals correctly so they slide right into the PP housing when done. Also, be sure you do not get solder on the terminal contacts. Some builders like to hold the wires vertically with a vice to prevent soldering from flowing onto the contact area.
>> 
>> I've had no problems over the past 12 years or so using the PP connectors -- all but a very few are soldered.
>> 
>> 73, Ron AC7AC
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Pitz
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 9:49 AM
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 and Power Poles
>> 
>> On the topic of Power Pole connectors,  I have a crimper that if I remember correctly I bought from West Mountain Radio.  It looks pretty similar to the one sold by Powerwerx.  I have had very little success crimping the #10 zip cord sold by Powerwerx.  Am I missing something?  I have used these off and on for a few years to crimp smaller gauge wire.
>> With the 10 wire the crimp looks terrible, and it is very hard to extract the pin from the crimper without destroying the pin.  If you do manage to get the pin out of the crimpers it is almost impossible to push into the housing.  Is there something wrong with Powerwerx's zip cord?  my crimpers?  Is there better cable to use, ideally something really flexible?  A lot of my operation is portable so this stuff is always getting plugged, unplugged, coiled, uncoiled, etc.
>> 
>> KD8CIV
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, 2016-09-13 at 08:11 -0500, Clay Autery wrote:
>> 
>>> I find the Power pole connectors perfectly serviceable...  And I am
>>> pretty much a cabling/connector freak.
>>> 
>>> I like Power Poles because they are serviceable, configurable, and
>>> becoming more common/standard as time passes.
>>> 
>>> Would I prefer a CPC or other connector?  Perhaps, but the Power Pole
>>> does the job and at a manufacturing price point that makes sense.
>>> 
>>> If you do your cabling and cable routing correctly, you should never
>>> have a problem.  The connectors are rated to carry enough power to
>>> satisfy the K3s' needs AT FULL POWER.
>>> 
>>> And there are ways/devices to make PP connections "more secure".
>>> 
>>> ______________________
>>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>>> MONTAC Enterprises
>>> (318) 518-1389
>>> 
>>> On 9/13/2016 7:53 AM, Ramon Tristani wrote:
>>>> The Power Pole connectors on the back of my K3 provide for only a marginal, non-secure connection to the cable coming from the power supply. Has anybody out there “invented” or “discovered” a more secure and strong connection than the one provided by the Power Poles? It is so easy for the connection to come loose that makes me wonder how can they safely conduct the 20 amps needed for the radio to operate at full power. I believe in strong and tight connections when relatively high current is expected. Anybody out there with suggestions? I would appreciate knowing from you. Thank you all.
>>>> 
>>>> Ramón E. Tristani Sr., NQ9V
>>>> r.tristani at gmail.com <mailto:r.tristani at gmail.com>
>>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/nq9v/
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>>>> <https://tristaniministries.wordpress.com/>
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Ramón E. Tristani Sr.
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