The factory installed PowerPole connector was misaligned on my K3. After trying to make sure the connectors I made were correct, several times, I discovered that the “flat” (with a small dimple) connectors were to far back on the heavy piece of wire they are soldered to. This prevents them from extending all the way out to the proper position as required by the mating PowerPole connector. Thus when connected the little humps had nor slide over each other and were not fully engaged. I heated up each of these two factory installed connectors and slid them outward slightly – making sure that they are PERFECTLY even with each other. This took several attempts. Once I had gotten perfect alignment with the PowerPole connector installed in the K3 I achieved a good connection. It now takes about 3-5 pounds of force to pull them apart. Since the connector in the K3 is mounted on heavy wire if they are not soldered in the correct position they will not fit in the connector correctly. AND since this wire has a 90 degree bend at the back, it can keep the connector case from going all the way back and preventing proper engagement of the mating connector. The connector on the flexible wire is not a problem as there is give between the two wires and that can allow the connectors to be properly seated in the case for proper alignment and connection with the mating connector.
I believe that if the PowerPole on the K3 was installed on a short length of flexible wire we would not be reading about this problem as it would not exist. Either Elecraft should test EVERY connector or mount the connector on a short length or wire. Rich, KE0X Don Brown-4 wrote: > > Hi > > PowerPoles can be locked together with a small 'U" shaped piece of stiff > wire run through the holes between the red and black blocks after plugging > in the connectors. I do this on my solar panel setup to keep the > connectors > in place even if the wires get pulled. > > > Thanks > > Don Brown > KD5NDB > > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Questions-from-a-Liberal-Arts-Major-tp1494099p1495455.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
