| ZS5J |
Rating:      |
2012-02-06 | |
| Very good solution |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I made the move to Anderson Powerpoles about 4 years ago. I have changed all my DC connectors to them. Everything is now plug and play. I think they are a great accessory.
I don't like the use of the roll pin - I think if anything, the outward pressure of the pin can break the slim sliding section that keep the red and black together. My preferred method of keeping the two together, is to cut a 1" piece of heat-shrink tubing, put it over the black/red connectors allowing enough of the connectors to stick out the heat-shrink to mate with the other pair, and then heat the tubing so it tightly squeezes the two together.
I also prefer to solder rather than crimp - if you are ever in a jam, and need to reuse one...it is a simple matter to desolder and reuse. Crimping renders it useless for further use. I also feel more comfortable knowing that the connection is 100 % ....with crimping, you never know if the wire might work itself loose after a lot of use.
73
John, ZS5J |
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| K1ESL |
Rating:      |
2012-02-05 | |
| My standard too |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Just echoing my like for these connectors.
I notice nearly all of the reviews that are negative don't seem to get what these are for. It's a genderless standard to use with all your radios and the electrical connection is reliable and usable for many disconnect cycles. These are much better to standardize with than Molex connectors, banana plugs, etc. I, for one, prefer the ease of plugging and unplugging that these bring to the table. For connections that I don't want to come apart, I use a narrow strip of double-sided Velcro to prevent the connectors from coming apart.
I solder all of mine - it's a simple way around the exacting method of crimping and even though the tools aren't all that expensive, I prefer to have one less single-purpose tool around.
Given that almost all of us use these in the same standard manner for DC, it's nice that Powerwerx has sonically welded body pairs now - I've had it with the roll pins and hot glue!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K6MTT on 2004-05-22
I love these things - so many options when using them. I've got cigarette lighter cords, and patch cords and a binding post adapter. Having one standard is quite nice.
I solder mine - it's easy as long as you are careful not to let any solder get past the end of the wire channel onto the contact surface. Smaller gauge of wire benefits from doubling it up or adding a short length of wire to enlarge it. Be careful about the assembly - you can do what you want, but there is a standard for RACES/etc.
As mentioned about everywhere these things are talked about - they slip apart very easily. The clippy idea mentioned in another review here is good. I myself use a thin strip of velcro (hook on one side, loop on the other). Loop it through the wires on both plugs and stick it to itself once they are mated and everything is cool.
Finally - I use hot glue in the little hole between the black and red sides to keep them together. Everyone says not to use the roll pins, they can pop out. Hot glue works nice, and in theory, hot water can melt it again - if you ever had to. |
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| N0FPE |
Rating:      |
2011-06-18 | |
| yep |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
work for me. I have used them for years without any problems. Butt connectors?? come on..
My PP's never fall apart. Quick and easy to install with the right tools. I have installed 100's of the years without any problems |
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| DJ0RD |
Rating:  |
2011-06-18 | |
| The Military Doesn't Use Them |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Nor aviation, nor industry. I don't need a connector that works fine as long as there is no tension on the cable. They pull loose from the rig or power supply far too easily. Even banana plugs hold better, are cheaper and easier to assemble. |
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| SM6XUN |
Rating:      |
2011-06-17 | |
| Outstanding, outstanding and outstanding |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
These gems are outstanding, i use them everywhere i need powerconnectors, not only in hamgear, they are also nifty for speakers and in caravans or boats.
If you have problem with the connectors falling apart you have mounted them incorrectly, if the two block slide apart, put them together and hold the cables fixed together with hetshrink tubing or electrical tape, the best solution is of course a 3/32 by 1/4 length roll pin in the hole between the two connectors.
I have used these (30A) size and the bigger sizes in for years in commercial applications without any hiccups whatsoever |
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| VE7IG |
Rating:      |
2011-05-17 | |
| The best power connector! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have been using these for a few years now and have found them completely reliable both in mobile and fixed station applications. They certainly handle the amps they are rated at, too.
I believe most of the complaints are due to operator problems, so perhaps that is one negative, that some people find them hard to use properly. I've never had them fall apart either and also it is very handy if you have to disconnect a power distribution panel for temporary use elsewhere, you can at least connect one device directly to the power leads inline. There doesn't appear to be any other connectors available for this purpose as useful as Anderson Powerpole connectors.
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| K1CJS |
Rating:      |
2011-02-27 | |
| Good product |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
These connectors pull apart easily, yet will stay together--IF no tension is put on them. I find that better than some of the original equipment connectors, which will rip the harness apart if the wire is pulled. They only fall apart if improperly assembled.
The only thing I find on the minus side is that the paired connector (black and red, for example)can easily slide apart unless a roll pin is used, and the roll pins aren't part of the package on most quantity orders.
Still, these connectors are the best ideas currently on the market and do well--especially in current rating and handling.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K1CJS on 2005-02-07
These connectors are the best things that have come along so far. They are IMPOSSIBLE to connect backwards if the connectors are properly paired, but check them if you are connecting your harness sets to someone elses connector--the other connector may be assembled backwards.
I'm familiar with high power connectors, these power poles are modeled after the connectors used on electric forklifts and other electric materials movers--as a matter of fact, those others are made by the same company!
Even MFJ is adding these style power poles to their connector sets--if MFJ is using/copying them, they must be popular.
I use them as they are slid together, no roll pins or glue, and they hold up very well. Of course, I don't pull at the connectors either, and I leave sufficient slack so they won't accidently be pulled apart. I use the 45 amp version which are easier to crimp with the proper tool and which easily mate with the 30 amp version, and I solder every crimp for extra strength and conductivity. |
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| KG4RUL |
Rating:      |
2011-02-27 | |
| Thet do their intended function WELL! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have converted ALL of my DC connectors to Powerpoles and have been happy in ALL instances.
All the radios in our EOC radio room use powerpoles.
I have used them to construct a multi-pole, quick disconnect for the control wires to my screwdriver antenna.
I have a two pair panel for power connections in my radio go box.
I have over two dozen, various power adapters, etc. with Powerpoles.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KG4RUL on 2009-02-16
I have PROPERLY crimped PP connectors on all my radios and power supplies, including my mobile installation. No problems, no failures! |
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| W6CAW |
Rating:  |
2011-02-27 | |
| Junk! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The "powerpole" is the biggest disaster ever forced on the radio community. I have used butt connectors for decades. They never come apart unless you pull them apart. Powerpoles will fall apart just looking at them. Expensive enough you have to spend even more money buying accessories to hold them together.
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Earlier 0-star review posted by W6CAW on 2005-02-06
I can't believe the HAM community is falling for these pieces of junk. Why?
Way over priced. Non-polarized. Plug in backwards as easily as forward. Pull out with very little effort. Anyone tried to use them in a mobile application without them falling out? Give me an old fashion butt or spade connector. Cheep, reliable, and readily available |
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| K4MC |
Rating:      |
2011-02-26 | |
| Best for all around use! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have been using Power Poles for many years and have never had trouble with them. I also work for a major law enforcement agency in central Florida and we use them extensively in our portable camera systems, when lives are on the line.
With that said, they must be used correctly, assembled with the proper tools, and a few tips I’ve developed along the way, are the best general purpose DC connectors I have ever used.
The correct crimpers must be used. The ones that use dies specific for Power Poles is the key. Use the proper tool, and follow the instructions, and you will never have a problem. I go one step further and lightly solder the connection after crimping. Did I mention that lives are on the line when I deploy my equipment using Power Poles?
Several additional tips I’ve developed over the years include using hot glue to add a strain relief to the wire side of the Power Pole connector. This moves any strain and flexing from the wire strands at the end of the crimped connector to the insulation. If the connectors must be locked together, I use a single Arrow brand JT21 3/8 inch staple, and place each leg through the holes and bend them over. This locks the power poles together.
This might sound like a lot to go through for a connector, but what it gives in return is a robust, genderless connector where I can connect any piece of equipment to any of our power sources.
Nothing else even comes close!
They also work great with our back up comm. gear, ham radio.
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