I have several Crimper tools but do not really trust crimped power
connectors so...I solder all my PowerPoles connectors. It is easy to
do...they work everytime and never a crimp problem.
Joe KK5NA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Christensen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Rich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 4:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Questions from a Liberal Arts Major
"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."
That would make a connector change-out very easy should the PowerPole
contacts become damaged..
A while back, I had shifted the K3 cabinet while listening to a QSO and
the PowerPole disconnected from the lateral movement. It's mostly the
lateral tension that creates the propensity for accidental disconnects.
If I had moved the cabinet while transmitting at 100W, I suspect that I
would need to have gone in and replaced the fused/welded pins. Arguably,
K3 owners shouldn't be moving the rig while operating!
I have a love-hate relationship with the PowerPole: I love the convenience
(e.g., Rigrunner DC manifold); but I hate that the connector does not
"lock 'n mate" as compared to those power connectors manufactured by MOLEX
and AMP. Locking the PowerPole requires some external means like a
tie-wrap, or the special plastic bridge clip being sold by Anderson.
Ensuring a correct crimp is part of the solution, but not the whole
solution. I have a shop drawer full of professional ratcheting crimpers
and prior to the recent purchase of the West Mountain crimper, I thought I
was doing a good job. But what was occurring with my existing crimper is
that the contact tip was bending slightly out of alignment during the
crimp process. The West Mountain crimper locks the contact tip while
crimping, thereby ensuring the pin remains straight with the barrel after
crimping. Moreover, the West Mountain crimper ensures a completely
concentric crimp. Had I not tried it myself, I would not have believe
there could be that much of a difference between it and my other
ratcheting crimpers.
Paul, W9AC
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