““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”Scott W. Drumm – N3XFDScott W. Drumm – N3XFD

““Continuity of Power”Continuity of Power”

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Entering Arguments…The need for Continuity of PowerEntering Arguments…The need for Continuity of Power

1.1. Continuity of electrical power to emergency Continuity of electrical power to emergency communications equipment is communications equipment is essentialessential..

2.2. The probability that conventional power The probability that conventional power sources will be disabled during, or in the sources will be disabled during, or in the aftermath of, an emergency event is aftermath of, an emergency event is highhigh..

3.3. A multitude of 12v DC electrical connectors A multitude of 12v DC electrical connectors are in use, but are in use, but no standard existsno standard exists..

4.4. To ensure #1, a standardized 12v DC To ensure #1, a standardized 12v DC electrical connector electrical connector must be adoptedmust be adopted by by emergency response units, including HAMs.emergency response units, including HAMs.

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Introducing…the 12vDC Anderson Powerpole ConnectorIntroducing…the 12vDC Anderson Powerpole Connector

• Single connector for 15A to 45A.Single connector for 15A to 45A.

• Three contact options allowing Three contact options allowing use of #10 to #20 gauge wire.use of #10 to #20 gauge wire.

• Low voltage drop (< 0.02 volts).Low voltage drop (< 0.02 volts).

• Inexpensive (approx. $1 ea. retail)Inexpensive (approx. $1 ea. retail)

• Exceeds the current rating of the Exceeds the current rating of the wire (based on max temp rise).wire (based on max temp rise).

• Self-cleaning contacts can be Self-cleaning contacts can be disconnected while energized.disconnected while energized.

• Keyed, but genderless connector Keyed, but genderless connector reduces required parts inventory.reduces required parts inventory.

• No soldering required!No soldering required!

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

County of Orange RACESBrea RACESHuntington Beach RACESAuxiliary Communications ServiceFountain Valley RACESWest Coast Amateur Radio ClubCedar Rapids APRS Working GroupCarson Valley Radio Club, Inc.Middle East Tenn. Emerg. Radio Serv.Silent Electric Flyers of San DiegoSacramento Amateur Radio ClubGarland Amateur Radio ClubPortland Amateur Radio ClubBloomington Amateur Radio ClubRadical Chassis MidwestWA6TWF Super SystemS.M.A.R.T., Inc.Milwaukee Emergency Services SquadronSan Luis Obispo County Emergency CommunicationsVE3ZRR Repeater groupAnaheim Police Radio ClubSalt Lake County ARESMDM RADIO LTDJefferson Amateur Radio SocietySan Bernardino County Emerg. Comm Svc.Kent County Amateur ClubTADMATMiss. Co. Amateur Radio Group

Northern Nevada Amateur Radio ServicesUtah County ARES Utah Amateur Radio ClubFremont Peak Repeater AssociationGallatin Ham Radio ClubCoppell Amateur Radio ClubAmateur Radio Lighthouse SocietyGreene County (Ohio) ARESDelaware Wing Civil Air PatrolKokomo Amateur Radio Club Greensboro Amateur Radio Assoc.Loudoun County ARESBoston Amateur Radio ClubEl Dorado County Amateur RCCoppell ARES/RacesBeckman Amateur Radio ClubLitton Marine SystemsBlack Hills Amateur Radio ClubHABITAT SkyLabSalt Lake County ARESWICEN NSWPsion TeklogixChamelon RobotDavis County ARCEMA ARESSouthern Arizona Rescue AssociationCumberland County ARES/RACESGrover Beach EOC Amateur Radio ClubCivilian Space eXploration Team (CSXT)

Team RadicusCapitol City Amateur Radio ClubColorado Section ARESMilwaukee/Waukesha ARESWaverley Amateur Radio SocietyColorado QRP ClubColumbia Amateur Radio ClubSouthern California Transmitter Hunters Mission Viejo ARC RACES-ARESB.C.A.R.E.SErie County ARES/RACESEMRG - Ottawa ARESBloomington Amateur Radio ClubMercer County ARES/RACESJersey Coastal Emergency ServicesLyndhurst OEM R.A.C.E.SDelae Cwarounty EMAWest Mountain RadioSevier County ARES (SCARES)Sunset Empire Amateur Radio ClubDelaware Valley Radio AssociationSouthern Maryland Amateur Radio ClubSouthern Maryland APRS GroupNashua Area Radio Club (NARC)SK0JS - Tyreso Jota Scouting Radio GroupNew Hampshire ARESRutherford Co. ARESRandolph Amateur Radio ClubSolano County OES/ACS

Everyone else is doing it….Everyone else is doing it….

120+ Amateur Radio and Emergency Communication 120+ Amateur Radio and Emergency Communication Organizations have adopted the 12v DC 30A Anderson Organizations have adopted the 12v DC 30A Anderson

Powerpole as their standard power connector.Powerpole as their standard power connector.

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Anatomy of a PowerpoleAnatomy of a Powerpole

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

P/N Max Amp Gauge

CONTACT OPTIONS

1332 15A 16-20

1331 30A 12-16

261G2 45A 10-14

CONNECTOR HOUSING

1327 RED

1327G6 BLACK

Ordering Details: One housing design, three contact optionsOrdering Details: One housing design, three contact options

SuppliersSuppliers::

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpole Connector Assembly ProcedurePowerpole Connector Assembly Procedure

STANDARD ORIENTATIONSTANDARD ORIENTATION 1.1. Strip 5/16 inch of insulation Strip 5/16 inch of insulation from wire and insert into the from wire and insert into the contact barrel.contact barrel.

2.2. Crimp the contact using one of Crimp the contact using one of several commercially-available several commercially-available crimping tools (a lineman’s crimping tools (a lineman’s pliers will NOT work).pliers will NOT work).

3.3. Insert the contact into the Insert the contact into the connector housing until it clicks connector housing until it clicks into place.into place.

Although Powerpole’s are keyed (polarized) it is still Although Powerpole’s are keyed (polarized) it is still possible to create a dangerous condition if two different possible to create a dangerous condition if two different sets of connectors are cross-wired. This can be preventedsets of connectors are cross-wired. This can be prevented

by following the standard orientation for the red (+) and black (-) housings, as by following the standard orientation for the red (+) and black (-) housings, as shown above. This convention has been adopted by the manufacturers of all shown above. This convention has been adopted by the manufacturers of all Powerpole accessories (e.g. RigRunners).Powerpole accessories (e.g. RigRunners).

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpole Connector Assembly ProcedurePowerpole Connector Assembly Procedure

The “best” crimping tool is the West Mountain PWRcrimp, but it is somewhat The “best” crimping tool is the West Mountain PWRcrimp, but it is somewhat expensive at $50. Alternative crimping tools such as the Gardner Bender GS88 expensive at $50. Alternative crimping tools such as the Gardner Bender GS88 or the Harbor Freight 36411 are available for less than $10. These latter tools or the Harbor Freight 36411 are available for less than $10. These latter tools will distort the barrel of the contact slightly during crimping which will interfere will distort the barrel of the contact slightly during crimping which will interfere with the installation of the contact in the housing. This can be corrected by with the installation of the contact in the housing. This can be corrected by rotating the contact 90 degrees and rotating the contact 90 degrees and gentlygently using the crimping die to eliminate using the crimping die to eliminate the out-of-round condition.the out-of-round condition.

1 2 3

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

NO

Incorrect Crimping TechniqueIncorrect Crimping Technique

Regardless of the crimping tool used, the seam in the barrel of the contact Regardless of the crimping tool used, the seam in the barrel of the contact must be against the rounded side of the tool’s die.must be against the rounded side of the tool’s die.

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles in ActionPowerpoles in Action

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles in ActionPowerpoles in Action

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles in ActionPowerpoles in Action

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles in ActionPowerpoles in Action

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles in ActionPowerpoles in Action

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles AccessoriesPowerpoles Accessories

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Powerpoles AccessoriesPowerpoles Accessories

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Closing ThoughtsClosing Thoughts

• The 30A Powerpole is an ideal connector for 12vDC power connections.The 30A Powerpole is an ideal connector for 12vDC power connections.

• The housings mate together through molded dovetails. A roll pin is provided The housings mate together through molded dovetails. A roll pin is provided to lock the housings together into a two-wire connector. I prefer to use to lock the housings together into a two-wire connector. I prefer to use superglue on the housing dovetail as the roll pin can fall out (into your radio).superglue on the housing dovetail as the roll pin can fall out (into your radio).

• Buy twice as many contacts as you will need for your project – crimping takes Buy twice as many contacts as you will need for your project – crimping takes some skill if you’re cheap like me and are using one of the $10 crimp tools.some skill if you’re cheap like me and are using one of the $10 crimp tools.

• Make lots of short jumper cables to other connector types (e.g. ring, spade, Make lots of short jumper cables to other connector types (e.g. ring, spade, OEM T-type). They’re perfect for your emergency “jump-kit”.OEM T-type). They’re perfect for your emergency “jump-kit”.

• Think carefully before cutting the OEM connector off of your Yaesu Mark V and Think carefully before cutting the OEM connector off of your Yaesu Mark V and trying to install a set of Powerpoles. A jumper cable may be a safer choice.trying to install a set of Powerpoles. A jumper cable may be a safer choice.

• Keep your housings, contacts, zip wire, and crimping tool in your jump kit. Keep your housings, contacts, zip wire, and crimping tool in your jump kit. This way, you can make field repairs or even construct new cables on the spot.This way, you can make field repairs or even construct new cables on the spot.

• Always, always, always follow the standard orientation diagram!Always, always, always follow the standard orientation diagram!

““HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”HAM Radio works – when other means of communication don’t”

Introducing…the 12vDC 30A Anderson Powerpole ConnectorIntroducing…the 12vDC 30A Anderson Powerpole Connector

Questions / CommentsQuestions / Comments