These connectors are suitable for just about all 12 volt
applications. There are 3 sizes
available with
current ratings from 15 to 45 amps. Connectors of all three sizes are
compatible with each other. That is, the 15 amp connector will mate
with either the 30 amp or 45 amp connectors, because they all use the
same physical
housings and contact design. The different current ratings are due to
the different wire sizes which can be accommodated by the crimp-on
contact.
(There are also higher ampere-rated Powerpole connectors available but
they use
different sized housings and are not compatible with the 15 to 45 amp
connectors).
Powerpoles have several unique features that make them ideal for radio equipment power connectors:
Powerpoles are "unisex" connectors.
That is, there are no male/female pairs. One connector will naturally
mate with another of the same type. This means that you don't need to
buy two different types of connectors for each job. It also makes it
easier to make "adapters" to other connector types since you don't need
to adapt to both a male pair and a female pair. I have adapters in my
kit that adapt Powerpoles to Jones connectors, banana connectors,
phone-plug type power connectors, molex connectors, etc.
Powerpole connectors are polarized. If properly
assembled (see figure below), it is not possible to connect them up backwards
thereby reversing the polarity.
Powerpoles slide together to make pairs or multiple-pair
blocks. You can slide a red and black connector together to make a single
pair, or you can slide two red/black pairs together to make a 4 connector block to handle
twice as much power. I use a 4 connector block for a connector on my 12 volt
batteries. That way I can plug a single 4 connector block into the battery to power a HF radio, or slide
in two 2-connector pairs to power a TNC and a laptop. Many other combinations
of connectors and blocks are possible.
Powerpoles are easy to assemble.
No special tools are required. Simply insert the wire into the contact
and crimp (I also like to solder the crimped joint for additional
ruggedness). Then insert the wire and contact into the housing. When
the contact is in far enough you hear and feel a "click" when the
contact locks in the housing. Once the contact is locked in, it won't
pull out.
Powerpole connectors are high quality. Anderson Power,
the manufacturer of Powerpole connectors is an ISO 9001 quality certified
company. The contacts are heavy copper construction with silver
plating. The housings are polycarbonate and contain a stainless steel
leaf spring that tensions the contact. The 30 amp contact produces only 18 millivolts drop at full rated current!
Powerpoles plug together easily and hold firmly
by the force of their spring-loaded contacts. They disconnect simply by
pulling them apart. Pins and keepers are available to lock them
together if you don't want them to pull apart easily once plugged in.
Powerpoles are quickly becoming the standard power
connector for e-comm. They are endorsed by a large and
increasing number of ARES
organizations across the country. Click on the link to see a list of
some of them.
I have been testing them myself for over a year now (as of
1/1/03) and their electrical and mechanical performance have been flawless.
I have used them in home, mobile, and field operation for HF base-station rigs,
VHF mobile rigs, keyers, TNCs, HTs and laptop computers. I've used them on
12 volt power supplies and on batteries. The only complaint I have is
that one must make a rectangular hole in order to panel-mount them. I have
yet to see one fail for any reason.
Besides the usual 12 volt power applications, I have been
considering the use of Powerpoles in terminating 300 ohm twin-lead feed
lines. The size and spacing is just about right. The rated
dielectric withstand voltage is 2200 volts. I'm currently using Molex
connectors for this job but I believe the Powerpoles will have less contact
resistance, and with the pins and keepers, will lock the feed-line more
securely at the antenna. They can be made weatherproof by wrapping in a
suitable protective covering.
Powerpoles are available on the web from Powerwerx,
and are also available at all the major hamfairs through Wes Allen, K7WWG in
Beaverton, OR. Wes Allen also takes phone orders at (503) 531-3721.
Complete electrical and mechanical specifications are available
on this Anderson
Power webpage. Detailed mechanical drawings in PDF format are also available
elsewhere on the Anderson Power website.
At least one company is making a high-quality power-strip using
Powerpoles. Called the "Rig Runner", it features 30 amp
Powerpole connectors, power-good LEDs, with each circuit individually fused, in
a rugged steel box with pre-drilled mounting tabs. The Rig Runner is available
in several sizes from 5 to 12 outlets. I've seen them at Wes Allen's table at the Rickreall
hamfair and at Seaside.
Some
people may find the Rig Runner to be needlessly expensive. Before it
became available I made my own 12 position fused power-strip shown on the
left. It uses the 4 connector block panel mounts also available from Powerwerx or
Wes Allen.
The power-strip features 6 blocks of 2 connector pairs each for a total of 12
red/black connector pairs. It also features an on-off switch, a single 30A
fuse for the entire power-strip and a 4 foot 12 awg red/black zip-cord
terminated in a 4 connector block. I would have to say in retrospect
however, that if the Rig Runner had been available sooner I would have simply
purchased one instead of spending the time and effort required to make my own.
Tips on using Powerpoles
When joining a red and black connector into a red/black pair,
always put the red connector on the left side and the black connector on the
right side as viewed with the open end of the connector facing you and with
the closed plastic tabs at the bottom, as shown in the figure below.
Use a 30 amp connector and 10 or 12 awg wire for solid state
HF rigs capable of 100 watts output power.
I've found the contacts difficult to insert into the housings
when used with 10 gauge wire. It's best not to deform the contact too
much when crimping. It helps to solder the contact after crimping and
before inserting into the housing because it makes the last 1/2 inch of wire
stiffer and you don't need to deform the contact as much when crimping because
the solder makes the connection more mechanically secure.
Use a 30 amp connector and 12 to 14 awg wire for VHF mobile rigs to
50 watts output.
Use a 15 amp connector and 16 to 18 awg wire for TNCs, keyers,
laptop computers, and QRP rigs.
Keep a few housings and contacts in your ready kit. In a
pinch they can be crimped on with a pair of pliers, vice-grips, or a common
automotive terminal crimper. If securely crimped they can be used
without soldering.
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