| LNXAUTHOR |
Rating:      |
2012-07-14 | |
| Convenient, Easy |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought a bag of 100 30-Amp connector sets more than six years ago. Have standardized nearly all rigs, accessories and connectors with these.
While these aren't mil-spec, they are (were) inexpensive, easy to put together, and fool-proof.
I have a few connected to 12V auto cigarette/power plugs, several epoxied back-to-back to 9V-type connectors (convenient to quickly attach various AA/AAA 4- or 8-cell battery carriers), a few on power leads, a few on M/F spade pairs (for screw terminals or gel cells), and a few built-into a custom-built fused multi-connector box.
i used one set for mobile ops for nearly eight years - very handy to pull a rig out of the vehicle, yet quickly re-connect
i always solder and never crimp; solder flows quickly on the lugs and provides a good connection
the only downside i have seen are the exorbitant prices for small quantities charged by some on-line scalpers
do yourself a favor and buy a bag - i'd recommend the 30-Amp size for general use; my 100-set bag is going to last me a lifetime
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| AB4D |
Rating:     |
2012-07-12 | |
| 4 years of use, no issues |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
As an update to my last review in 2009..."I've been using he power poles for over a year, I have not had any issue with them, and they hold rock solid. However, I don't crimp the connectors, I solder them on. I just insert a piece of solder into the connector with the wire, heat and it is ready to go."
I am still using power poles in the shack and in the mobile, both on West Mountain power strips. I like the interchangeability of the PP system, and have not experienced any of the issues identified by some using the Anderson PP.
I've used Molex, Butt Connectors, and Crimp on terminals in the past, they are no better than the PP, some are worse. It seems all styles of connectors have disadvantages, none are perfect.
I agree with some, that you really need to pay attention when wiring and assembling the connectors, but beyond that, I've had no operational issues. Nevertheless, until someone comes up with something better, I'll stick with the power poles.
73
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Earlier 5-star review posted by AB4D on 2009-12-16
I've been using he powerpoles for over a year, I have not had any issue with them, and they hold rock solid. However, I don't crimp the connectors, I solder them on. I just insert a piece of solder into the connector with the wire, heat and it is ready to go. |
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| WC3O |
Rating:      |
2012-07-12 | |
| Inky-dinky |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
There are a couple very simple things you need to know about PowerPoles that make all the difference between loving and hating them. I switched years ago and I have never looked back. Whenever I buy a new radio the T connector gets snipped off and PPs go on. I love them.
Things you NEED to know:
They slide apart? They were designed to slide apart. If you are talking about the red/black connector shells, you can either use the pins some suppliers give to lock them, or I use a dab of hot glue in the hole to lock the two shells together. To hold a connection together I simply use a ty-rap. They make cool little do-thingys that do it too, but a small ty-rap is easy and cheap. You only need that in a situation that there may be pulling on the connection. If the connection is going to live in a peacefully place you don’t need anything, it will stay just fine.
The crimp is VERY important. I don’t use the “correct” crimpers. I found a cheap crimp tool that works perfect I do still give mine a dab of solder, though. Be careful not to get solder on the silver contact area. The pins are all silver plated and solder very nicely. HERE IS THE THING WITH CRIMPING: The 30 amp PPs use a round barrel. If your crimpers allow the round barrel to flatten in a horizontal direction you will NEVER get them into the shells. You will learn new cuss words and think you hate PowerPoles. But if you use crimpers that punch straight down and do not allow the barrel to spread out horizontally, they will click right into the shells. No problem. I found my crimpers for $5.00. The “correct” crimpers go for around $50.00 and do a great job. Really, they are worth the money, but I’m just too cheap to buy them.
I keep one shell set assembled in the correct orientation in my bag of PP parts. This way I only need to refer to that example to be sure I don’t slide the red/black shells together backwards. Simple.
I LOVE the fact that PPs are genderless. This makes life SOOOO much easier with jumper, extensions, adaptors and so on. I have never had a single contact issue, assuming that were crimped close to correctly. I have them on everything and life is simple.
So if you are having big trouble with PowerPoles, consider you may not be doing something wrong. If you think they are too expensive, ok. I like them. That’s what I thinks anyways.
Best 73
DE WC3O
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| K3OFX |
Rating:  |
2012-07-12 | |
| Not very rugged, a plastic toy. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have a military electronics background where these tinker toys would never be permitted and would never survive if they were. They are a real moneymaker for the manufacturers at a buck a piece and that's about the only good thing I can say. Maybe they work for a Ham, I dunno. Not for me. The crimpers are also expensive and I doubt if they crimp an air tight or pressure welded connection, which means they are temporary at best in any rough environment. Good luck with them. |
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| W2BLC |
Rating:   |
2012-07-12 | |
| Not the greatest |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I use them, only because I use a west Mountain distribution panel. The latter is a good, although somewhat over priced device.
I have had the Power Poles fall apart. They will stand no physical stress on them and they are a pain to install.
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Earlier 0-star review posted by W2BLC on 2006-11-19
I use powerpoles for heavy automotive and tractor connections - they are good. But, for ham radio purposes they are way too expensive.
Generally, ham equipment is installed and left so for long periods of time (as in years at a time). It is not necessary to use plugs for this purposes - in fact more permanent connections would be recommended.
If you do need portability - then why not use something that is more reasonable in price. Such as those used for trailer lighting - available at hardware stores, WalMart, KMart, etc. Often for 99 cents a shot. Much cheaper than $4.95 for each half.
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| K0RGR |
Rating:      |
2012-07-12 | |
| I Like Them |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The advantages of having common connectors far outweigh the drawbacks. Our radio club has advocated Powerpoles ever since ARES started referring to them as a standard. As a result, it's easy for all of us to swap 12V connections. I have a lot of different rigs at home and they all have Powerpoles, which makes life very easy when moving things around.
In the past, I've used other 'standard' plugs. The problem with Radio Shack connectors is that they have changed what they carry from time to time. There was never any standard on how to wire them, either, so swaps with others were a real problem. And, my pet peeve is that they have to be soldered - AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND BAD IDEA! I have had many Radio Shack connectors develop thermal runaway problems as the contacts get older, resulting in the solder melting and flowing around in and outside of the connector, resulting in lots of smoke, short circuits, and fire - not things I want when I'm mobile.
Even the 'standard' trailer connectors have changed over time. My second choice would be 'bullet' connectors, but they would be easy to get the polarity backwards, and some of these fine rigs on the market today have been built with no polarity protection. At least if you follow the color code and the published standard for assembling them, you can't get the Powerpoles backwards.
Powerpoles do take some experience to learn how to assemble, and if you don't use something to keep them from coming apart, you can have problems. But, all it takes is a very small cable tie or even a small piece of wire looped through the connector holes, and all those problems go away.
A good set of crimpers is important. DON'T SOLDER THEM. I haven't had any thermal runaway issues with Powerpoles to this point, nor bad connections due to corroded pins.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K0RGR on 2004-08-20
I have Powerpoles about everywhere now. They are not the easiest thing to assemble, but I find it's easier to crimp them on than to solder on a Molex plug in the field.
Of course, I find that a real plus. Solder is not a good idea in HIGH CURRENT applications. I've seen the solder melt out of Molex and AMperex plugs used to deliver high current DC many times. They just aren't built for it, and over time, the resistance will increase between the blades of the connectors. When that happens, the heat generated in the joint increases. The power formula is I*I*R = watts. So if your radio is drawing 20 amps and you have 0.1 ohms of resistance, that's 20 * 20 * 0.1 = 400 * 0.1 or 40 watts. That's equivalent to the heat from a pretty good sized soldering iron!
Over time, the excess heat leads to more resistance, which leads to more heat, which leads to more resistance, etc., etc., until you have a 'thermal runaway'.
Eventually, the solder melts out and drips where it does the most damage, and your wires come loose and short out. Wonderful! I've seen large computerized systems go up in flames this way. I've also seen car fires from the same source.
You won't have that problem with these things crimped on. If they fail, just cut 'em off and put new ones on. They are cheaper than Molex connectors, too. |
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| W5LZ |
Rating:     |
2012-07-12 | |
| Not fool-proof, but good. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
There's no such thing as a 'fool-proof' connector. It depends on how large a 'fool' you have to deal with. It also depends on knowing how and when to use them, they are not the 'end all' of connectors.
No strain relief? Then you aren't following instructions, or expect to tow a car with them?
Reversing polarity? Know how to use the color coding and then USE that color coding. Still have to put them together right.
They still work very nicely.
- Paul
Using the proper tools is also nice...
Don't like them? Hey, good! Send them to me. I'll hold my breath. |
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| K7SUB |
Rating:  |
2012-07-12 | |
| A product of hype |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The "Standardized Connector" hype is pretty much a joke if you think about it. They are difficult to assemble, polarity can be switched, and they literaly fall apart. For anything up to 20 amps, I use the Radio Shack connectors which are keyed, self locking, cheaper, and no harder to assemble than powerpoles.
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Earlier 0-star review posted by K7SUB on 2012-05-05
These connectors are not good for portable use, the do not lock and fall out easily. Way oberhyped. The Radio Shack locking connectors are a lot cheaper and stay locked--unfortunatly the highest rating you can get is 20 amps.
The Power Poles are way overpriced and the ARRL must have gotten a kickback to recommend them as a standard?
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Earlier 1-star review posted by K7SUB on 2005-09-01
I started with Power Poles last year since it was to be the "New Standard". I quickly went back to Radio Shack high current connectors which was the old "Standard", at least they stayed plugged in in rough times. I found the crimping process a pain and any little strain and they came unplugged. The RS connectors are only good for 25 amps but that will handle a 100W mobile rig. I made up a couple of conversion cables with left over power poles for emergencies. |
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| WA6MOW |
Rating:    |
2012-07-12 | |
| Expensive |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have been using these for a few years and think they are way over rated. There are much cheaper ways to go. If you use them, be sure to solder not crimp. |
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| K7UXO |
Rating:    |
2012-07-12 | |
| Not worthy of being standarized |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
As far as connectors go, these are about average. With good technique, they go on just fine. They are not particularly rugged or reliable.
Generally, the connector that came with your radio is better than the Anderson Power Poles.
It seems the reason why most people use these is based on they hype they are the "standard ecom connector".
Yeah, whatever.
It is absolutely crazy the Amateur Radio ECOM community has "standardized" on a connector with limited availability, particularly during the emergency.
If I thought there was some value to to having standardized connectors for use in emergencies, it would use the low tech trailer wiring flat plug, which can be had in every autoparts and hardware store in North America. At least you could get those connectors during the emergency!
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