TVB for the win!  <big smile>

Can we please let it go here?
Do we REALLY need to have the same PPcon discussion yet again?

I vote no.

Clay Autery, KY5G

On 6/22/2017 2:19 AM, Tom Van Baak wrote:

Not sure how "idiot proof" became a desirable engineering goal.

I've always favored allowing the natural self-cleaning of the gene pool
to progress normally.
We are protecting the species to death.

Clay Autery, KY5G

On 6/22/2017 3:07 AM, Bruce Griffiths wrote:

Moin,

On Thu, 22 Jun 2017 06:20:27 -0500
Clay Autery cautery@montac.com wrote:

Actually, I read it with interest. I am designing quite a bit of
electronics. A lot of it is single use, then "throw-away" these
days so long running times are not that much of an issue.
But selecting the right power connector is always a problem
I face. I often choose the 5.5x2.5mm barrel plugs, as they are
quite common on power supplies, but they are kind of suboptimal
when it comes to retentiony The Kycon 4-pole plug is slightly
better, but every and each power supply has a different pinout,
which means that I either need to design it for a specific power
supply or add 8 diodes to get the polarity right.

I pondered a couple of times to use Molex Micro-fit connectors,
as they are cheap, locking and available in almost any number of
poles. The current and voltage rating hare high enough for almost
all needs (but not enough for 240V mains, even if it's rated 300V!).
And incidentally the crimping tool doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
But it's not really a connector one wants to use to power a device
in a proper housing.

Reading on what other people are using and what advantages/disadvantages
the different power plugs have is quite interesting for me.

So, please keep it comming!

		Attila Kinali

--
It is upon moral qualities that a society is ultimately founded. All
the prosperity and technological sophistication in the world is of no
use without that foundation.
-- Miss Matheson, The Diamond Age, Neil Stephenson

It is possible to get hold of locking barrel connectors, they insert as
normal and a quarter twist fastens them in place. The plugs and sockets are
compatible with non locking equivalents too.

Of course they're not great for applications that need a decent amount of
current and other disadvantages as noted elsewhere.

On 22 Jun 2017 1:11 pm, "Attila Kinali" attila@kinali.ch wrote:

I first ran into Power Pole connectors over 20 years ago. They were
marketed by someone (I forget who) to the fledgling radio control
electric plane/car/boat communities. The advertisements had some wording
to the effect of "triple silver plated" and other techno babel. They
worked well in this application, good power handling, low contact
resistance, quick plug and play, polarized (etc). They sold under the
brand name of Sermos but were really just Anderson Power Pole connectors.

Amateur radio operators discovered them sometime later and for much the
same reasons they too started to adapt and use them. It is the same kind
of discussion as VHS vs Betamax, popular choice is not always driven by
real merit.

There is some history on the Anderson web page:

http://www.andersonpower.com/us/en/about/corporate-history.aspx

It seems to me that the Power Pole connectors were never really intended
for use in way that the RC crowd and radio amateurs tend to use them.
They work, there are better choices, and there are far worse choices.

cheers, Graham ve3gtc

On 2017-06-22 04:29, Don Lewis wrote:

For anything critical, I use these connector from the professional sound
industry.

http://www.neutrik.com/en/speakon/

Mike

On 6/22/2017 8:29 AM, Clint Jay wrote:

--

73,
Mike, N1JEZ
"A closed mouth gathers no feet"

Locking barrel connectors...

Aren't those called BNCs? ;)

In one of my other lives, I see Power Poles used in a very life critical application. They are used to connect pads to Automatic External Defibrillators. In that application, the two poles (15A, red & white) are glued together rather than using the roll pin.

Bob

Hi Tom,

I said I use PPs but I don't really like them.  If you use a pair as a cable
splice then yes, you can tie them together, but in the specific case I referred
to, the connection on Elecraft radios, the mate is sticking out the back of a
panel and it's impossible to knot the cable or use a zip tie.  I am certainly
not the only one who has had issues with this.  And lest I be called an idiot,
this is with a factory assembled and supplied pigtail.

Regards,

Wes

On 6/22/2017 12:19 AM, Tom Van Baak wrote:

Heh, I was thinking just that when I typed it. They're almost inverted, the
pegs are on the plug and the slots are on the socket, the ones I've seen
aren't spiral slots, you have to fully engage the plug before you twist.

I like PowerPoles, I like barrel connections, as with so many things it's
all about the application, choose the one that works for you.

On 22 Jun 2017 1:53 pm, "Bob Bownes" bownes@gmail.com wrote:

Hi

There are some really nice aircraft grade connectors that only cost about $250 each (as in
$500 a pair)  that take care of all sorts of issues :)

For my money, Power Poles do just fine.

Bob