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what DC connectors?

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Vin Cortina

what DC connectors?

Hi everyone.

Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, etc to your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am wondering if I need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am getting weary of ordering a small quantity of something, and paying upwards of 50% more of the original purchase price on shipping.

Ideas?

Vin KR2F

K1-4 s/n:1977
KX1 s/n:1476
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Craig Smith

RE: what DC connectors?

Vin ...

Yes, PowerPoles are by far the most common way to go. I've been very
pleased with them and put them on most all my DC (and even some antenna)
wires. The crimping tool is expensive ($45 to $50). I bought one 6 months
ago and it is one of my best purchases ever. Swallow hard and pony up the
$50. Yes, it is possible to do without by using less expensive crimpers or
solder, but if you expect to install more than 5 PowerPole connectors per
year I'd strongly recommend the proper tool from West Mountain Radio.

73
... Craig AC0DS

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Randy Rathbun NV0U

Re: what DC connectors?

In reply to this post by Vin Cortina

You just need a pair of crimpers that have a little dimple in them.
See: http://home.comcast.net/~buck0/app.htm and look at suggestion #2.
Those will work perfectly. Order a bunch of these things - they are
great connectors and I am sure you will end up using them all. I
thought that having 20 pairs would be good enough when I started...
ha!

Randy NV0U

On 8/26/06, Vin Cortina <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hi everyone.
>
> Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, etc to your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am wondering if I need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am getting weary of ordering a small quantity of something, and paying upwards of 50% more of the original purchase price on shipping.
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Ron D'Eau Claire-2

RE: what DC connectors?

In reply to this post by Vin Cortina

Vin, KR2F asked:

Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, etc to
your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am wondering if I
need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am getting weary of ordering
a small quantity of something, and paying upwards of 50% more of the
original purchase price on shipping.

Ideas?

-----------------

The crimp tool issue is going to be, in part, personal preference. However,
I do not like to use crimp connections anywhere I can avoid it.

A "crimp" is, in theory, as good as solder if it's done exactly right. Done
right, the two surfaces are brought together under such pressure that there
is excellent metal-to-metal contact over the entire area with so much force
that the atoms actually collide over a large area, excluding all air or
opportunity for corrosion. In short, it's *almost* a solder connection
without the solder.

The problem is that unless you achieve the perfect "crimp", there will be
voids that reduce the surface contact, leading to increased resistance. Also
air can enter and the oxygen will start oxidation that further increases the
resistance, especially in the presence of heat caused by the current flow
across the crimp.

Soldering is so simple and so easy to do that I solder instead of crimp for
any connection that I want to remain a good connection over time.

I note that Elecraft also recommends soldering Anderson connectors instead
of crimping them.

And, yes, I've never grown any fondness for twist-on or crimp-type coaxial
connectors either <G>.

At the other extreme, I'll happily use alligator clips for temporary
connections: RF or DC. After all, it's obvious if they aren't making good
contact. For DC supplies, voltages droop under load. Of course, you want to
use the right size clip. For high-current DC use the large size intended for
high currents. But for most portable operation at QRP levels, I find the
standard size alligator clips FB.

Ron AC7AC

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Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU

Re: what DC connectors?

Administrator

In reply to this post by Vin Cortina

Vin,
I would recommend a bag of 50 PowerPoles to start. The West Mountain
crimper makes a big difference. You might be able to get a bag of them
at a hamfest or club meeting and avoid shipping charges. Or, buy a bag
and set up yourself at the next club meeting.

To convert gradually, you can take your existing radio's power cable and
cut it, put PowerPoles on both ends, and have a ready adapter.

73,
Leigh/WA5ZNU
On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 10:32 am, Vin Cortina wrote:

> Hi everyone.
>
> Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, etc
> to your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am
> wondering if I need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am
> getting weary of ordering a small quantity of something, and paying
> upwards of 50% more of the original purchase price on shipping.
>
> Ideas?
>
>
> Vin KR2F
>
> K1-4 s/n:1977
> KX1 s/n:1476
> _______________________________________________
> 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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Vin Cortina

Re: what DC connectors?

Thanks to Leigh, Ron, Randy and Craig for their speedy, and much appreciated
input. I have ordered 20 of the 30 amp variety. I will figure out how to
connect the wires to the connectors when they get here :)

Vin KR2F

K1-4 s/n:1977
KX1 s/n:1476

----- Original Message -----
From: "Leigh L Klotz, Jr." <[hidden email]>
To: "Vin Cortina" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] what DC connectors?

> Vin,
> I would recommend a bag of 50 PowerPoles to start. The West Mountain
> crimper makes a big difference. You might be able to get a bag of them at
> a hamfest or club meeting and avoid shipping charges. Or, buy a bag and
> set up yourself at the next club meeting.
>
> To convert gradually, you can take your existing radio's power cable and
> cut it, put PowerPoles on both ends, and have a ready adapter.
>
> 73,
> Leigh/WA5ZNU
> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 10:32 am, Vin Cortina wrote:
>> Hi everyone.
>>
>> Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, etc
>> to your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am wondering
>> if I need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am getting weary of
>> ordering a small quantity of something, and paying upwards of 50% more of
>> the original purchase price on shipping.
>>
>> Ideas?
>>
>>
>> Vin KR2F
>>
>> K1-4 s/n:1977
>> KX1 s/n:1476
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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

Karl Larsen

Re: what DC connectors?

In reply to this post by Randy Rathbun NV0U

Randy NV0U wrote:
> You just need a pair of crimpers that have a little dimple in them.
> See: http://home.comcast.net/~buck0/app.htm and look at suggestion #2.
I am sorry but the crimper you are showing will NOT work at all
well! It is exactly like the $10.00 Crimper on the web page and neither
work worth a flip. If your not going to solder the wire to the
connector, buy the $50.00 crimper.

As it turns out you MUST solder if you use a cheap crimper.

73 Karl K5DI

>
> Those will work perfectly. Order a bunch of these things - they are
> great connectors and I am sure you will end up using them all. I
> thought that having 20 pairs would be good enough when I started...
> ha!
>
> Randy NV0U
>
> On 8/26/06, Vin Cortina <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> Hi everyone.
>>
>> Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs,
>> etc to your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am
>> wondering if I need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am
>> getting weary of ordering a small quantity of something, and paying
>> upwards of 50% more of the original purchase price on shipping.
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Vin Cortina

Re: what DC connectors?

In reply to this post by Ron D'Eau Claire-2

Hi everyone.

To all who responded to my original query, thank you for the good advice. I
purchased 20 pair (red and black) of the 30 amp version (1330) Anderson
Power Pole, and have already begun converting all of my DC connections to
the A.P.P. system. I am soldering them, and it works beautifully. They are
truly worth the cost, and (c'mon now, say it with me) I can't imagine how I
ever did without them.

Thanks again.

Vin KR2F

K1-4 s/n:1977
KX1 s/n:1476

----- Original Message -----

Subject: RE: [Elecraft] what DC connectors?

Vin, KR2F asked:

Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, ...

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Post to: [hidden email]
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Deni F5VJC

Re: what DC connectors?

On the subject of Anderson powerpoles, the only ones I see on Ebay are
45A are these compatible with the lower power ones too?

73 F5VJC

On 9/4/06, Vin Cortina <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi everyone.
>
> To all who responded to my original query, thank you for the good advice. I
> purchased 20 pair (red and black) of the 30 amp version (1330) Anderson
> Power Pole, and have already begun converting all of my DC connections to
> the A.P.P. system. I am soldering them, and it works beautifully. They are
> truly worth the cost, and (c'mon now, say it with me) I can't imagine how I
> ever did without them.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Vin KR2F
>
> K1-4 s/n:1977
> KX1 s/n:1476
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] what DC connectors?
>
>
> Vin, KR2F asked:
>
> Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, ...
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

Vin Cortina

Re: what DC connectors?

Not sure if the 45 A version is mechanically compatible with the 30A.

Check here and look at the spec pages.
http://www.andersonpower.com/products/pp/pp.html

Good luck,

Vin KR2F

K1-4 s/n:1977
KX1 s/n:1476

----- Original Message -----
From: "F5vjc" <[hidden email]>
To: "Vin Cortina" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] what DC connectors?

> On the subject of Anderson powerpoles, the only ones I see on Ebay are
> 45A are these compatible with the lower power ones too?
>
> 73 F5VJC

>>

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Tom Hammond-3

Re: what DC connectors?

In reply to this post by Deni F5VJC

At 07:55 AM 9/5/2006, F5vjc wrote:
>On the subject of Anderson powerpoles, the only ones I see on Ebay are
>45A are these compatible with the lower power ones too?

YES... the CONTACTs on all three sizes (15A, 30A, 45A) are all the
SAME SIZE... only the size of the wire insertion area is different.
The 15A contacts accept up to #14 wire, 30A, up to #10 (I think,
possibly only up to #12), and 45A > #12

73,

Tom N0SS

>73 F5VJC
>
>On 9/4/06, Vin Cortina <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>Hi everyone.
>>
>>To all who responded to my original query, thank you for the good advice. I
>>purchased 20 pair (red and black) of the 30 amp version (1330) Anderson
>>Power Pole, and have already begun converting all of my DC connections to
>>the A.P.P. system. I am soldering them, and it works beautifully. They are
>>truly worth the cost, and (c'mon now, say it with me) I can't imagine how I
>>ever did without them.
>>
>>Thanks again.
>>
>>Vin KR2F
>>
>>K1-4 s/n:1977
>>KX1 s/n:1476
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>
>>Subject: RE: [Elecraft] what DC connectors?
>>
>>
>>Vin, KR2F asked:
>>
>>Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, ...
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>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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Steven Pituch

RE: what DC connectors?

In reply to this post by Vin Cortina

See
http://www.powerwerx.com/category.asp?CtgID=1001
For a good explanation.

I buy mine from them.
Steve, W2MY/5

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Deni F5VJC

Re: RE: what DC connectors?

Thanks Steve and and all for the info, placed an order for the WMR
4012 which includes the Powepole connectors.

73, Deni
F5VJC

On 9/5/06, Steven Pituch <[hidden email]> wrote:

> See
> http://www.powerwerx.com/category.asp?CtgID=1001
> For a good explanation.
>
> I buy mine from them.
> Steve, W2MY/5
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/437 - Release Date: 9/4/2006
>
>
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>