[KL7AA] Anderson Power Pole connector usage (Long)
Jim Larsen - AL7FS
[email protected]
Wed, 10 Apr 2002 09:41:10 -0800
I have only recently stumbled on to these connectors and I am very
impressed by the comments I am reading on them. There has been a thread
on the QRP-L mail reflector ( http://qrp.lehigh.edu/lists/qrp-l/ )the
past few days and I am forwarding a few highlights from those messages.
The web sites are very interesing and the connectors are superior to
Molex.
Any comments from anyone using these? Would this be a good standard for
ARES? Is it already? :-)
73, Jim
--
Jim Larsen, AL7FS, Anchorage, Alaska
(BP51cc) - 61.101 North, 149.824 West
mailto:[email protected] - http://www.qsl.net/al7fs/
=======================
Subject: Anderson Power Pole connector usage
Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 16:16:23 -0600
From: Rod N0RC <[email protected]>
To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion <[email protected]>
Folks,
I've read postings about Anderson Power Pole (APP) connectors
recently. I've been using them for a few years now, and have a power
distribution system worked out using APPs. I put up a web page with
pictures to share my ideas with others who may be interested in doing
something similar:
http://www.radioactivehams.com/~n0rc/app/pwr_distrib.html
73, Rod N0RC
Ft Collins, CO
================================
Subject: Re: Anderson Power Pole connector usage
Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 23:41:08 -0700
From: Dave Fifield <[email protected]>
For the record, I intend to use these novel connectors
for the power supply input to future Red Hot Radio
products - I have experimented with them and like
them immensely. They aren't cheap, but they are well
worth paying that little more for the quality.
Cheers es 72,
Dave F.
AD6A
==============================
Subject: Re: Anderson Power Pole connector usage
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 09:20:29 -0400
From: Mike Yetsko <[email protected]>
By the way, PowerPole connectors are on sale right now at MCM
Electronics
( www.MCMelectronics.com) for $5.99 a pack. You get
10 red, 10 black, and 20 contacts.
Mike
=================================
Subject: Re: [CQCLIST] Anderson Power Pole connector usage
Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 18:38:32 -0600
From: Rod N0RC <[email protected]>
To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion <[email protected]>
Brad, et.al.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mugleston, Brad" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion"
<[email protected]>; "Elecraft-list" <[email protected]>;
"ncarc-l" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 4:49 PM
Subject: RE: [CQCLIST] Anderson Power Pole connector usage
> Rod,
>
> This look great but I remember a few years ago a push to get
everyone using
> the same connectors so in a real emergency situation anyone could
use
> anyone's wires/power supply etc. The decision on what connector to
use was
> based on a connector available all over the country and easy to get.
The
> two conductor keyed Molex unit sold by Radio Shack and other places
was
> chosen.
>
If you dig around you will find more and more ARES groups swithing to
AAPs. The technology is superior. For one thing, the AAPs I show are
rated at 30amps, the Molex connector is only rated at 8. AAPs can also
be stacked together (kinda like Lego's) to accomodated various
distribution needs.
> I guess if you don't want to share it doesn't matter what connector
you use
> but if you ever have the need it would be nice to use a standard
connector
> (anyway all my rigs have that big ugly connector on them and I don't
have
> time to change, again).
>
Not a problem. You missed the point of my "pigtail" approach, Don't
change the radio/equipment connector make an adapter. Carry a Molex to
APP adapter and your good to go anywhere
> They do look good though - where can someone pick up a few to play
with?
>
Go back to http://www.radioactivehams.com/~n0rc/app/pwr_distrib.html,
scroll to the bottom of the page. There you will find 3 sources of
supply. A package of 10 red/black pairs plus 20 inserts will cost you
about $10.
73, Rod N0RC
Ft Collins, CO
========================================
From: "Tim, N9PUZ" <[email protected]>
> This look great but I remember a few years ago a push to get
everyone using
> the same connectors so in a real emergency situation anyone could
use
> anyone's wires/power supply etc. The decision on what connector to
use was
> based on a connector available all over the country and easy to get.
The
> two conductor keyed Molex unit sold by Radio Shack and other places
was
> chosen.
Nothing wrong with a common connector or sharing but the Molex type
connectors may not be the best choice. They are not rated for nearly
as many plug/unplug cycles as the Anderson's and in a lot of cases the
contacts can tend to heat up at higher currents. My other hobby is
electric powered RC airplanes. In this application at 20-30 Amps the
Molex connectors get warm to the touch after a 5-8 minute flight. The
PowerPoles stay nice and cool.
> They do look good though - where can someone pick up a few to play
with?
Rod has a link to PowerWerx on his web site. They carry all the sizes
and mounting accessories as well as various sizes of red/black zip
cord.
Tim N9PUZ
==========================
Subject: Re: [CQCLIST] Anderson Power Pole connector usage
Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 23:16:54 -0400
From: Pete Burbank <[email protected]>
When I was working in medical electronics one of guys got so ticked off
about Molex connectors that he saved all the burned up ones and then
set up a
molex museum of charred and melted connectors.. It was hilarious!
I would not use one for anything....period .I might be subject to a
lawsuit if I said they were a scam so not going to say that.
The ones in autos are best packed with silicone grease ASAP when you get
a
new car.
Wear gloves Pete NV4V Tim is exactly right below
>SNIP...
=================================
From: Conrad Weiss <[email protected]>
Brad et al,
I think Rod's got it figured :)!
Powerwerx has the low-cost tool. Check out the "CT-1" crimper for only
$19.95 on their page. It also crimps 75amp connectors, so you can loan
it
to buddies that do QRO ;) URL: http://www.powerwerx.com/crimper.html
FWIW, I'm pretty much a Pomona-guy, but the low-cost, and versatility of
the PowerPole is compelling. I'm going to *add* a PowerPole panel for
rig
power, etc. I'll maintain my Pomona panel on the design/test side of my
"lab." Best 'o both worlds... :)
Check out that "RigRunner" at URL:
http://www.westmountainradio.com/RIGrunner.htm
mighty handsome product for $100, but a guy could roll his own, too :)
GL es keep it fused,
Conrad
NN6CW
==============================
From: Rod N0RC <[email protected]>
You can get a crimp tool for these for about $10 at Home Depot: GB
(Gardner Bender) GS-88
73, Rod N0RC
Ft Collins, CO
============================
From: Tim ORourke <[email protected]>
The Power Pole connectors are also sold under the SERMOS name at R/C
airplane shops and Mail order. The cheapest source is Dillon Industrial
Supply if u want to buy in bulk.
We have used for years on electric planes, only connector that will
standup
to 60 amp bursts and survive.
Tim O'Rourke KG4CHX
===============================
From: "Tim, N9PUZ" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [CQCLIST] Anderson Power Pole connector usage
> OK I'm sold. Checked out the web page - the 45 amp unit uses a
special
> $140 tool. OUCH.
>
> What size do you use?
I've pretty much standardized on the 30A contacts for my gear. My
heaviest load, an Icom IC-718, needs about 20A maximum.
Crimping them is nice, I have the Anderson tool for the 15A and 30A
contacts, but you can solder any of them on without going to the
expense of the tool. Note that the inexpensive ($19.95) tool PowerWerx
sells will work but it is a generic crimper. The real Anderson tool
which I didn't see on their site has more of a set of dies in the jaw
that provides a better, more uniform crimp. I believe the PowerWerx
tool would be adequate for most applications.
If you solder the contacts it goes a lot easier if you drill a small
hole opposite the seam so you can easily feed solder inside. There are
openings on the end with the contact leaf but if you get solder flowed
out onto the contact itself it can interfere with them smoothly
mating.
Another feature of the Anderson connectors not mentioned earlier is
that the shells can lock together several different ways. You can
easily polarize them so it's difficult to plug the wrong equipment
together. In an emergency situation where you may have a field charger
for handhelds or other NiCd cells that uses a 12 volt source battery
you can use different polarizations to keep you from plugging the
output of a charger into your bank of 12 volt SLAs, etc.
Tim N9PUZ
=====================
From: "Tim, N9PUZ" <[email protected]>
> The Power Pole connectors are also sold under the SERMOS name at R/C
> airplane shops and Mail order. The cheapest source is Dillon
Industrial
> Supply if u want to buy in bulk.
> We have used for years on electric planes, only connector that will
standup
> to 60 amp bursts and survive.
> Tim O'Rourke KG4CHX
Any idea what the status of the Sermos connectors is? I had heard that
John Sermos passed away.
FWIW, the Sermos brand connectors have two differences from standard
Andersons. The contacts have extra plating on them and the housings
are molded of some material that's impervious to the chemical motor
cleaning spray that the RC car racers love to use. In the RC community
there's a long running debate over whether the plating really does any
good and to my knowledge no definitive testing has been done.
Tim N9PUZ
=================================
And finally a slightly opposing view:
Subject: Re: Anderson Power Pole connector usage
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 07:48:33 -0400
From: Mike Yetsko <[email protected]>
Well, the Power Pole may be the best connector out there, but the
'excuse' to make it a 'standard' is not as concrete as it may seem.
First off, it's overkill in most of the applications. Oh, it's still
great,
but I know a LOT of people that just won't use it as a 'standard'
in their shacks just because it's only really necessary for 1 or 2
pieces of equipment.
What about the Molex 4-pin or 2-pin connectors? Sure, they are
being used 'over spec' by a lot of hams. But then, the 4-pin came
as STANDARD from the factory on ICOM and Alinco equipment
for years.
In fact, I made that my 'standard' for my setup. Not because it's a
great connector (it stinks), but because I could get cards of them at
Radio Shack easily and even more important, cheaply. I could unplug
my Alinco or ICOM and plug it anywhere. Easily. Cheaply.
If you want to use the Power Pole, I think it's a great idea, but I saw
it in a few messages here where people want that as a 'standard'. That
may be fine, but be ready when any kind of 'emergency' rears up and
out come the wire cutters and electrical tape!
If you do ANYTHING for emergency work, Power Pole or Molex
or WHATEVER, it would pay to ALWAYS keep 'blanks' handy.
Short cables, maybe with fuses in line, that are pigtails on one end
and the mate to your rig on the other. Saves a lot of grief over the
wire cutters coming out in panic or 'quick setup' situations.
Not that I'm 'the' expert or anything, but for years I always kept
(in my tool kit in each car) three 'cables'. One is a cigar plug to
Molex. One is a cigar plug to alligator, and a third is bare wire
to Molex. Now I've added to that, keeping a cigar to coax (to fit
my K2 and laptop) and a female-to-male coax that reverses (so I
can power an HP laptop)
Oh, one thing that is REALLY neat if your thinking of 'emergency'
stuff... Radio Shack sells a cigar plug that has two binding post on
the back!
One final thing... That 'T' connector on the Radio Shack HTX-242?
That's available at a lot of automotive shops. The same connector is
used on the A/C clutch drive assembly from one manufacturer. I found
the same connector as the rig on a card at PEP Boys. When I installed
the rig in my Jeep, I used the original factory cord, then I keep a
'pigtail' in the console that I could unplug the HTX-242 and plug this
in to get pigtail power out to anything else in an emergency without
having to get the wire cutters and electrical tape out
Mike