Instrument Panel Power Distribution

We're on a roll with solar powered battery charging, and battery
testing. Great projects! Great info!

A couple of years ago, Marty Eiler at Cal City told me about Anderson
PowerPole connectors, which he has fitted the fleet with. I've since
changed all my battery connectors to the 15 Amp PowerPole, and pass on
the recommendation...

http://www.powerwerx.com/product.asp...015&CtgID=3014

And now West Mountain Radio is selling RigRunner fused power
distribution panels that use PowerPoles.

http://www.westmountainradio.com/Image/RIGrunner.jpg

(Or at Powerwerx.)
What a great way to wire up an instrument panel.
I've done many panel installs, and taken out some unbelievable
messes. This could possibly be the best bet for future rebuilds.
Too many gliders have antique Molex connectors, DIN plugs that
haven't latched in 5 years, and other assorted rubbish. The PowerPoles
are easy to install, latch nicely, can deliver more current than you
need, and (somehow important in the maintenance of $100,000 toys) are
cheap.
Jim

Jim,

Do I see the PowerPole illustration correctly -- two separate
connectors for positive and negative? I'll take the German speaker
plugs my V2 came with over that, but I am looking for something better
(and not Molex either!) ...

~ted/2NO

The PowerPole connectors snap together to make a single connector of
any width you wish. Looks like you can also build NxM array connectors
for a single plug for the whole panel, though they are a bit bigger
than a Molex.

Also check these out:
http://www.powerletproducts.com/prod...gs_sockets.php

They fit (almost - need to enlarge the hole ever so slightly) in the
same round DIN holes as the german power plugs. Kinda looks like a
good quality cigarette lighter plug. Just replaced the charging jacks
on my ASH-26E with these.

Thanks to "Bumper" for this one.

-Tom

5Z wrote:
The PowerPole connectors snap together to make a single connector of
any width you wish. Looks like you can also build NxM array connectors
for a single plug for the whole panel, though they are a bit bigger
than a Molex.

My experience of the PowerPole was with the 75A version in telecoms
power supplies and we used two blue housings (but the cable insulation
was red and blue (or black) for identification. The housings (and
contacts) are "genderless" meaning that you only need to stock one
contact type and one housing housing assuming you are happy with a
single colour (or color). By interlocking the housings you can assemble
a two pole (or more as Tom suggests) connector that is polarised. Once
interlocked they are secure and require deliberate manipulation to
separate. It would be personal choice to use two or more housing colours.

They are a great connector. When they are mated together any arc is
drawn between the tips of the contact and not the final mating surfaces.
They lend themselves to both panel and cable (free) connectors.

Cheers
Neil

I've looked at Powerlets and was puzzled by one thing. I'd guess the
battery needs to be wired with the female socket. But that means the
charger has to have a male plug with (apparently) live, bare contacts
swinging in the breeze.

Have I missed something? Are you just really careful people? Or do you
blow up a lot of chargers?

Graeme Cant

5Z wrote:
The PowerPole connectors snap together to make a single connector of
any width you wish. Looks like you can also build NxM array connectors
for a single plug for the whole panel, though they are a bit bigger
than a Molex.

Also check these out:
http://www.powerletproducts.com/prod...gs_sockets.php

They fit (almost - need to enlarge the hole ever so slightly) in the
same round DIN holes as the german power plugs. Kinda looks like a
good quality cigarette lighter plug. Just replaced the charging jacks
on my ASH-26E with these.

Thanks to "Bumper" for this one.

-Tom

Graeme Cant wrote:
I've looked at Powerlets and was puzzled by one thing. I'd guess the
battery needs to be wired with the female socket. But that means the
charger has to have a male plug with (apparently) live, bare contacts
swinging in the breeze.

I suppose. But the design of the plug makes it a bit difficult to
complete a circuit. I will also have short piece of vinyl tube as a
cap for the plug to protect it from the elements and inadvertent
shorting.

-Tom

True. However, this isn't an issue when the plug is being used on a "smart
charger", as many of these don't turn on the charging current until they
sense a voltage on their contacts.

In my trailer, which has a cable w/Powerlet (also known as Bosch or BMW
style plugs) to plug into the glider wing root, I've installed an insulated
fitting that I secure the plug in when it's not being used. This is
necessary as the charging plug is connected to a trailer battery/solar
system and thus the plug is live.

These Bosch plugs are also sold through John Deere tractor supply places in
the US, as well as at BMW motorcycle shops (at more expense). I've
standardized on this style plug for all my toys.

bumper

"Graeme Cant" wrote in message
...
I've looked at Powerlets and was puzzled by one thing. I'd guess the
battery needs to be wired with the female socket. But that means the
charger has to have a male plug with (apparently) live, bare contacts
swinging in the breeze.

Have I missed something? Are you just really careful people? Or do you
blow up a lot of chargers?

Graeme Cant

5Z wrote:
The PowerPole connectors snap together to make a single connector of
any width you wish. Looks like you can also build NxM array connectors
for a single plug for the whole panel, though they are a bit bigger
than a Molex.

Also check these out:
http://www.powerletproducts.com/prod...gs_sockets.php

They fit (almost - need to enlarge the hole ever so slightly) in the
same round DIN holes as the german power plugs. Kinda looks like a
good quality cigarette lighter plug. Just replaced the charging jacks
on my ASH-26E with these.

Thanks to "Bumper" for this one.

-Tom

Have I missed something? Are you just really careful people? Or do
you
blow up a lot of chargers?


Yes, No, No.

You Missed Fuses and Circut Protection Circuts.

No, we are particulary any more carefull about shorting these out than
anyone else.

No, I have never blown up a charger, but have shorted it many times.

Brian

The electric RC community has been dealing with this for quite a while
and have some good options for power connectors. The Astro Flight zero
loss connector is great for batteries.

http://www.flyrc.com/articles/connectors_1.shtml

Craig


Brian wrote:
Have I missed something? Are you just really careful people? Or do
you
blow up a lot of chargers?


Yes, No, No.

You Missed Fuses and Circut Protection Circuts.

No, we are particulary any more carefull about shorting these out than
anyone else.

No, I have never blown up a charger, but have shorted it many times.

Brian

The electric RC community has been dealing with this for quite a while
and have some good options for power connectors. The Astro Flight zero
loss connector is great for batteries.

http://www.flyrc.com/articles/connectors_1.shtml

Craig


Brian wrote:
Have I missed something? Are you just really careful people? Or do
you
blow up a lot of chargers?


Yes, No, No.

You Missed Fuses and Circut Protection Circuts.

No, we are particulary any more carefull about shorting these out than
anyone else.

No, I have never blown up a charger, but have shorted it many times.

Brian