Amen.
( you stole my thunder, Harry. :-)
Another way to resolve the offset alignment problem is to have a
mechanical stop which keeps the connector from mating when it is offset.
The panel can be the stop if the connector is recessed to be flush with
the panel, and the hole is the right size. Alternatively, a bolt or
standoff on either end of the panel connector pair can act as a stop and
a guide. This solution does not address cable-to-cable connections.
I suspect the APP solution would be to use three housings on cables, red
in the middle, black on one end, and a dummy blocking pin glued into the
other. They sell long spacers which could be used for the blocking pin.
73, Paul N6LL
Still recovering from the 2-pin Jones which the local club wired
backwards...
On 2/17/2015 3:33 PM, Lewis Phelps wrote:
There is a third potential problem with APP connectors; they aren’t completely
“reverse polarity” protected. Several years ago, I stupidly plugged the APP
cable into the back of my K3 “by feel” rather than by looking. I offset the
alignment, and plugged the red plug from the cable (hot) into the black APP
connector on the rig. Since I had grounded the K3 like a good boy. that
created a reverse-polarity power situation that fried several components and
resulted in a trip to Aptos for my K3.
There are two ways to resolve this problem. One is to never, ever plug an APP
set into a piece of equipment without visually checking to make sure you are
aligned “red to red, black to black.” It’s also possible to mate the APP
connectors so that you can’t plug red into black (by rotating the red plug 90°
on both the rig and the power cable. I’ve come to rely on the former solution,
but have seriously contemplated equipment modifications to do the latter.
All that said, I am a steadfast supporter of APP connector technology. For all
the reasons cited in other posts, I think it’s superior to every other power
connector on the market. And contrary to some posts, it doesn’t require an
“expensive special tool” to crimp the pins. onto wires. There are several
low-cost “pliers-like” crimpers on the market, including the Gardner-Bender
GS-88 ($10) that do a good job at a modest price.
And speaking of crimping tools, for those who prefer crimped lugs to solder,
Harbor Freight’s hydraulic crimping tool (Item 66150) is a real gem for
crimping lugs onto large wires (AWG 8 and bigger.) It isn’t cheap, but it makes
a perfectly formed (and very secure) crimp in copper and other lugs typically
used on large-gauge wires. It does a good job on smaller sizes, too, although
it’s somewhat cumbersome to use compared with other crimpers that work well on
AWG 12 and smaller wire sizes.
Lew Phelps N6LEW
Pasadena, CA DM04wd
Elecraft K3-10 / KXV144 / XV432
Yaesu FT-7800
[email protected]
www.n6lew.us
Sent from my Mac Pro 256-Array Supercomputer (9.42 teraflops)
On Feb 17, 2015, at 2:28 PM, Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> wrote:
As was pointed out in a prior posts, there are 2 forms of "problems" with the
APP connector.
One is the retention force of the connector pair - in other words, "it comes
unplugged"
That problem is usually due to incorrect assembly where the connector blades
are not fully seated in the housings. This is the condition that I first
responded to.
The 2nd "problem" is that the red and black housings become separated, and
seems to be the condition that is currently being discussed. This has to do with the
roll-pin or toothpick or cotton swab shaft being placed in the hole. I use Super Glue
between the red and black housings and have never had a problem. I on occasion use the
roll-pin in addition, but I put a drop of super glue on the pin itself before sliding it
'home'. I have never had an APP connector where the 2 housings separate, and the glued
roll-pins do not fall out.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 2/17/2015 5:08 PM, Terry Schieler wrote:
Similar to Phil's approach, rather than using the metal roll pin, I break off a
wooden toothpick in the retention hole and put a drop of super glue on the
toothpick.
Terry W0FM
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
