K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors
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I thought these PP connectors were supposed to be such
great stuff :-) Mine keep falling out and losing power on the rig. I assembled mine very meticulously, as I've read a lot of the comments here about keeping the solder away from the contact area. I assembled mine with the blade standing vertical in a third-hand tool, so the solder never came above the end of the cylinder that the wire end sticks into. The blades are pushed all the way into the plastic housings so the curved end clicks over the little ridge to keep it in its own housing. When I insert the plugs into the receptacles on the back of the K3, they go all the way to the end and bump up against the end of the receptacle. No problem about being pushed in all the way. It seems to me that there is very little friction/pressure between the male and female connectors to hold them together. I tried the little cylinder pin that is supposed to help hold them together, but it quickly got lost when the male connector fell out for the third time. Can anyone tell me if the blades in these connectors need to be bent a bit to maintain a good contact so that will stay together? Otherwise, I'll have to replace the PP connectors with something more reliable. Thanks and 73 Bob N6WG _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Robert Tellefsen wrote:
> I thought these PP connectors were supposed to be such > great stuff :-) > > Mine keep falling out and losing power on the rig. I think this is strange. I use them on a lot of gear and haven't had this problem. They are not held in with a great deal of force, and they can be yanked out -- but they don't *fall* out. Maybe there's some variation in the manufacturing process? Are yours genuine Anderson PPs or another manufacturer? -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors
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In reply to this post by n6wg
Bob,
It sounds like the contact blades of your APP connector are not inserted all the way into the housing. The blade should extend over the spring finger in the housing. If you do have them assembled that way, then I need to ask - just how much stress is being placed onto the connector housing - does is drop directly to the floor without any part of the cable laying on the table? Just how much pull is being placed on your connector? I don't know just how much pull force the APPs are rated for, but when properly assembled, they do not just fall apart - it takes a substantial pull to force them apart. You may want to look to see if you are doing something unusual in your setup. 73, Don W3FPR Robert Tellefsen wrote: > I thought these PP connectors were supposed to be such > great stuff :-) > > Mine keep falling out and losing power on the rig. > > I assembled mine very meticulously, as I've read a lot of > the comments here about keeping the solder away from > the contact area. > > I assembled mine with the blade standing vertical in a > third-hand tool, so the solder never came above the end of > the cylinder that the wire end sticks into. > > The blades are pushed all the way into the plastic housings > so the curved end clicks over the little ridge to keep it in > its own housing. > > When I insert the plugs into the receptacles on the back > of the K3, they go all the way to the end and bump up > against the end of the receptacle. No problem about being > pushed in all the way. > > It seems to me that there is very little friction/pressure > between the male and female connectors to hold them > together. I tried the little cylinder pin that is supposed to > help hold them together, but it quickly got lost when the > male connector fell out for the third time. > > Can anyone tell me if the blades in these connectors need > to be bent a bit to maintain a good contact so that will stay > together? > > Otherwise, I'll have to replace the PP connectors with something > more reliable. > > Thanks and 73 > Bob N6WG > > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO
Hi Vic
Well, it turns out I'm part of the problem :-) I was so sure I had the blade in the red plug all the way in, but I just checked it under a lighted magnifying glass, and it had not gone over the retaining ridge near the front opening. I pushed some more and got it to click over the ridge. So, the connector is back in service, but you are right, there is not a great retaining force in these connectors. I've never used them before, but from the way others talked about them, I expected more. I'll just have to see how they do in service. 73, Bob N6WG ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vic K2VCO" <[hidden email]> To: "Robert Tellefsen" <[hidden email]> Cc: "Reflector Elecraft" <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 6:51 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors > Robert Tellefsen wrote: > > I thought these PP connectors were supposed to be such > > great stuff :-) > > > > Mine keep falling out and losing power on the rig. > > I think this is strange. I use them on a lot of gear and haven't had > this problem. They are not held in with a great deal of force, and they > can be yanked out -- but they don't *fall* out. > > Maybe there's some variation in the manufacturing process? Are yours > genuine Anderson PPs or another manufacturer? > -- > 73, > Vic, K2VCO > Fresno CA > http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n6wg
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RE: K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors
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Iv'e been getting away from using Anderson Powerpole connectors and now relying on Tyco Electronics/AMP Power Lock Connectors. Essentially the same thing, but much higher quality. They will mate with the Anderson line so no problem there. A lot of people have complained at how easily the powerpoles come apart. I did some testing and found that it takes about 3 lbs of force to pull two powerpoles apart, while it takes 8 lbs for the AMP connectors. With an AMP mated to Anderson, it takes 6 lbs. With the AMP connectors, it takes considerably more force to mate them and there is a distinct snap/click sound when they go together. The pins are thicker and they have "wings" on them so they don't flop around in the housing like the Anderson ones do. Also, they don't require a roll pin to lock them together. There is a little tab on the housing that locks one half of the connector to the other. They do cost more but your getting a higher quality product in my opinion. Anyway, for those of you that have an issue with the way Anderson's "lock" together, you might want to give these a try. I get mine from Mouser. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/632/1186.PDF Eric N3EF --- On Mon, 4/28/08, Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> wrote: > From: Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors > To: "'Robert Tellefsen'" <[hidden email]>, "'Reflector Elecraft'" <[hidden email]> > Date: Monday, April 28, 2008, 11:33 PM > Excellent question, Bob!! > > You caused me to check. I have several APP cables about, to > I hooked two of > them together and added weights to one while lifting with > the other until > they separated. > > My test pair separated at 1.2 kg or just over 2.6 lbs. I > consider that > substantial force needed to separate them. I've never > had a pair fall apart > without tugging on them with what I considered pretty > strong force. > > Clearly, something different is going on with yours or are > you are much > stronger than I. > > Ron AC7AC ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I maybe lucky but I have been using anderson power poles for a few years and
I never had a problem with them. I use them for all my ham power connections. Bob Serwy - N9RS -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Eric Fairbank Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:22 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors Iv'e been getting away from using Anderson Powerpole connectors and now relying on Tyco Electronics/AMP Power Lock Connectors. Essentially the same thing, but much higher quality. They will mate with the Anderson line so no problem there. A lot of people have complained at how easily the powerpoles come apart. I did some testing and found that it takes about 3 lbs of force to pull two powerpoles apart, while it takes 8 lbs for the AMP connectors. With an AMP mated to Anderson, it takes 6 lbs. With the AMP connectors, it takes considerably more force to mate them and there is a distinct snap/click sound when they go together. The pins are thicker and they have "wings" on them so they don't flop around in the housing like the Anderson ones do. Also, they don't require a roll pin to lock them together. There is a little tab on the housing that locks one half of the connector to the other. They do cost more but your getting a higher quality product in my opinion. Anyway, for those of you that have an issue with the way Anderson's "lock" together, you might want to give these a try. I get mine from Mouser. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/632/1186.PDF Eric N3EF --- On Mon, 4/28/08, Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> wrote: > From: Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors > To: "'Robert Tellefsen'" <[hidden email]>, "'Reflector Elecraft'" > <[hidden email]> > Date: Monday, April 28, 2008, 11:33 PM Excellent question, Bob!! > > You caused me to check. I have several APP cables about, to I hooked > two of them together and added weights to one while lifting with the > other until they separated. > > My test pair separated at 1.2 kg or just over 2.6 lbs. I consider that > substantial force needed to separate them. I've never had a pair fall > apart without tugging on them with what I considered pretty strong > force. > > Clearly, something different is going on with yours or are you are > much stronger than I. > > Ron AC7AC ____________________________________________________________________________ ________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n6wg
I know the powers that be don't like complaints about the APP, but, the Factory mounted APP's on my K3 had one of the blades recessed at least 1/8 inch from its proper position. Until I corrected this (which requires removing that side of the cabinet and the rear panel) my connectors would literally fall off from the weight of the short piece of power lead. It took more than three attempts to get both of the chassis mounted blades in the proper position. UN-SAT. They now stay together, but I would never put them in a rig I designed and am presently considering some type of replacement.
Rich, KE0X
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APPs are [hidden email] > Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:36:05 -0700> From: [hidden email]> To: [hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors> > > I know the powers that be don't like complaints about the APP, but, the> Factory mounted APP's on my K3 had one of the blades recessed at least 1/8> inch from its proper position. Until I corrected this (which requires> removing that side of the cabinet and the rear panel) my connectors would> literally fall off from the weight of the short piece of power lead. It took> more than three attempts to get both of the chassis mounted blades in the> proper position. UN-SAT. They now stay together, but I would never put> them in a rig I designed and am presently considering some type of> replacement. > > Rich,> KE0X> > > Robert Tellefsen wrote:> > > > I thought these PP connectors were supposed to be such> > great stuff :-)> > > > Mine keep falling out and losing power on the rig.> > > > I assembled mine very meticulously, as I've read a lot of> > the comments here about keeping the solder away from> > the contact area.> > > > I assembled mine with the blade standing vertical in a> > third-hand tool, so the solder never came above the end of> > the cylinder that the wire end sticks into.> > > > The blades are pushed all the way into the plastic housings> > so the curved end clicks over the little ridge to keep it in> > its own housing.> > > > When I insert the plugs into the receptacles on the back> > of the K3, they go all the way to the end and bump up> > against the end of the receptacle. No problem about being > > pushed in all the way.> > > > It seems to me that there is very little friction/pressure> > between the male and female connectors to hold them> > together. I tried the little cylinder pin that is supposed to> > help hold them together, but it quickly got lost when the> > male connector fell out for the third time.> > > > Can anyone tell me if the blades in these connectors need> > to be bent a bit to maintain a good contact so that will stay> > together?> > > > Otherwise, I'll have to replace the PP connectors with something> > more reliable.> > > > Thanks and 73> > Bob N6WG> > > > _______________________________________________> > Elecraft mailing list> > Post to: [hidden email]> > You must be a subscriber to post to the list.> > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm> > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com> > > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/K3--Trouble-with-Power-Pole-connectors-tp16951265p16968522.html> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.> > _______________________________________________> Elecraft mailing list> Post to: [hidden email]> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com_______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: K3--Trouble with Power Pole connectors
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In reply to this post by Rich
Wire the dc cable direct into the rig and let the other end do the
disconnect. Less dc loss and no contacts to worry about. David G3UNA > > I know the powers that be don't like complaints about the APP, but, the > Factory mounted APP's on my K3 had one of the blades recessed at least 1/8 > inch from its proper position. Until I corrected this (which requires > removing that side of the cabinet and the rear panel) my connectors would > literally fall off from the weight of the short piece of power lead. It > took > more than three attempts to get both of the chassis mounted blades in the > proper position. UN-SAT. They now stay together, but I would never put > them in a rig I designed and am presently considering some type of > replacement. > > Rich, > KE0X > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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