| KC8ZEV |
Rating:  |
2008-07-21 | |
| Not approved for supersonic aircraft! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
It cracks me up, some people think these connectors can be used in aerospace, zero-G, deep space applications and fusion experiments. And they bitch when they fail!!! With a proper crimp, a small and controlled amount of solder (optional, I know) these connectors work great! Quick and easy, perfect for amateur use! Do not use them when servicing a SR-71 Blackbird!!!
73
KC8ZEV |
|
| W2ATO |
Rating: |
2008-07-21 | |
| Poor |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| They don't stay connected. Pull apart at the first chance. Don't rely on them. |
|
| RFDANNY |
Rating: |
2008-07-21 | |
| Ok for Hobby Electronics |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| If you don't have a mission critical application, these little guys are ok. There is much hype, mostly because of ARES "adopting" them as some sort of standard for ham radio emergency work. It is beneficial to have a standard, it's just a shame that this was the first to come along. What most people don't understand is that these are crimp connectors. If you are among the 75% or so of hams that use a soldering iron while assembling a "power pole" you are doing it wrong. It has long been proven that the crimp is a superior mechanical/electrical connection over solder. All you do with your solder is bugger up the install. Notice that a lot of reviewers suggest you glue, or tie-wrap the finished product once it is done. To install a brand new product and then have to glue or tie-wrap it in order to maintain some sort of mechanical strength is not a "5" product, it is a "1" product. Now, if all you do with these little pieces of crap is have a bunch of 12 v bench toys plugged into it, you won't have any problems. If you put any type of medium or heavy gauge wire into a powerpole (such as a 100w HF transceiver, mobile radio, etc.) you will have to do two things to ensure that it won't come unplugged. The first thing is to glue or tiewrap the connector to itself so that it maintains its symmetry. Second, you will have to strain relief the connector where it plugs into the power strip, because the weight of the wire or any good "bump" will cause the connector to fall out of the strip. The nonsense about a "properly done powerpole won't pull out" is just that, nonsense. So, use them for your bench work, hobby projects, in applications where light gauge wire won't be moved around or subject to vibration. Use them on your emergency gear if you take the proper precautions. Do not use them in you airplane or any medical equipment you depend on. |
|
| KA3NXN |
Rating: |
2008-07-21 | |
| Not the greatest |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I too like WA1RAW am MIL cert and we make all kinds of harnesses and wiring for the military where I work. I used these on a few of my hooks ups and they are junk. They don't stay plugged in and feel very flimsy & loose. I don't like them at all. |
|
| VE3GLA |
Rating: |
2008-07-21 | |
| I like them a lot |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Over the past 3-4 years, I've converted my entire shack and my workbench to Anderson Powerpoles. That includes 3 commercial rigs, 6 kit transceivers and receivers, keyers, simple test equipment, at least 4 power supplies, and so on. I've been licensed since 1966 so I've used a number of different systems, but I like this one the best. They're easy to install (I don't have the special crimp tool), they make it easy to move connections around quickly, and are reliable for day-to-day operating in the shack. In an environment with lots of vibration or mechanical stress, I would probably add a tie-wrap to hold the ends together, but I've never needed to do so, even with a mobile installation.
I'm often building or experimenting with my radios and accessories, so by standardizing on Powerpoles, I can quickly and easily move things from the shack to my workbench and back again. I know there are other systems that would work, too, but Powerpoles have worked well for me.
73,
Bob VE3GLA
|
|
| WA1RAW |
Rating:  |
2008-07-21 | |
| All Hype!!! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I've been a ham since 65 and wiring longer (mil-spec certified back in 1972), and I wouldn't trust these powerpole connectors at all. I also don't need some "civil engineer" telling me that I must be doing it wrong if I don't like a product!! These connectors are all hype and no substance, and all that they are good at is making simple and safe DC wiring into overly complicated and unsafe DC wiring. Modern isn't necessarily better, and I'll continue to use Molex and other crimping and soldering methods versus using this junk. |
|
| KG6BRG |
Rating: |
2008-07-05 | |
| great item |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I don't know why some have difficulty with assembly of these connectors, oh wait, I forgot, lots of people are in a hurry and don't read or follow instructions. I bought a DC distribution strip (RR 4012) and the ratcheting crimper, read the instructions and assembled 10 pairs without any difficulty at all. I used 30 amp contacts from # 10 wire all the way down to # 18. Follow the the instructions, and have the correct tool and they are a breeze to work with, although I rated them a 4 only because the crimper is over priced but seemingly well made. I think that the USA made contacts and plastic housings are fairly priced at about $1.00 per pair. Overall this setup has made a non standard "rats nest" of DC power cords and AC wall warts into a neatly organized power center. cheers. |
|
| K6PH |
Rating: |
2008-01-27 | |
| Good, not great |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Powerpoles are a good product, but not perfect. Personally, I like Molex better - more secure to connect and stay connected, easier to solder, but not "the standard" as are powerpoles. That said, once you get the hang of them, they are OK. And relatively inexpensive-about $1.00 per connection. But you WILL toss out a few in learning how to do it right. If you have 20-50 connections to make, losing half a dozen or so learning is no big deal. But if you're only making 5 connections, wasting that many doubles your cost!
But now that I've learned the process, I'll stay with them. |
|
| W5EJ |
Rating: |
2007-12-13 | |
| They work! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have standardized all my 12 connections on powerpoles, this includes my station, mobile and portable. I use 15, 30 and 45 amp depending on need and don't use them for more then about 80-85% rated load capacity. I have converted most of my walwarts and chargers so they mate quickly with the powerpoles where possible and have made pigtail connectors to go from powerpole to non-standard power connectors.
I do use the Powerwerx crimp tool which was well worth the money!
Mobile and portable wiring best practices are not the same as in-house. Any good mobile installation should have all loose wires and connection points secured and tied down or covered where possible or you will sooner or later have disconnects or severed/damaged wiring.
I do this no matter what connector I am using.
Molex are nice but not standardized so not much use for RACES or ARES. I also find them alot more trouble to assemble and dissassemble then powerpoles.
For mobile or portable use there are numereous methods which have been mentioned by other reviewers here that can and should be used to secure the connections. My favorite are the snap on locks (Blok-Lock) sold by Powerwerx, easy on easy off and have never had one fail.
Like any product, use it in the way it is intended to be used and in the applications intended for and you should get good results. Common sense also goes along way here too.
73 |
|
| K3GM |
Rating: |
2007-10-22 | |
| Should be a shack standard..... |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| After trying a few of these, I'm outfitting my entire shack to make these the standard power connector. I use everything from the 20amp contacts all they way up to the big 70amp version, and all of them provide a firm, positive contact. I use them mobile too and encounter no problems. |
|
