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Anderson Powerpole 30A plugs

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 09:15

Member - GeeTee (NT)

Anyone had any experience using these and are they the way to go for portable fridges.
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ThreadID: 47277 Replies: 6
Views: 1512 FollowUps: 9
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AnswerID: 250129   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 09:38

Michael Carey replied:

I use the 30A anderson plugs exclusively in my Hilux (and at home in my ham radio "shack") for all my radio connection, external power needs, inverters, chargers, etc.
You can get them locally (Jaycar, RS Components), or cheaper if you buy from the US. They have become a standard in the US amongst ham radio operators and you can buy a whole heap of accessories to help you out with wiring DC through your vehicle.
http://www.powerwerx.com/
is a good place to start.
I've done some tests with the 30A plugs and have drawn in excess of 50A without them becoming warm, but this was with brand new terminals and I would expect the 30A current rating is more realistic.

Michael.
Reply 1 of 6
FollowupID: 511392   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 23:07

Member - Mike DID posted:

From the Powerpole datasheet

Average Contact resistance = 0.0006 ohms

Retention force = 25lbs

Life = 250 cycles at 30amp with 120 volt

Operating Temp = Minus 20 to 105 deg C

Mike R
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 250130   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 09:56

Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) replied:


Hi,
I use them too, they work fine.
They don't come apart by themselves, they're compact and are rated for far more current than I ever pull through them.

Geoff

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Geoff,
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Reply 2 of 6
AnswerID: 250141   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 12:59

drivesafe replied:

Hi GeeTee, the 30 amp Anderson PowerPoles are an excellent alternative to standard cigarette lighter type plugs and sockets.

As posted above, they will easily handle far more current than conventional fridge plugs can.

They won’t rattle loose.

They are extremely small in comparison to normal power plugs.

You can fit up to 6mm automotive cable ( 4.5mm2 ) in to the terminals and the terminals can be either soldered or crimped.

The only possible down side to these plug, is the fact they are not readily available in a surface mount configuration, they are only intended to be fitted to the end of cable.

The big plus is that they are a fraction of the cost of other types plugs and sockets.

Do a google to find some good info and prices.

Cheers
Reply 3 of 6
FollowupID: 511283   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 13:11

Mike Harding posted:

>The only possible down side to these plug, is the fact they are
>not readily available in a surface mount configuration, they are
>only intended to be fitted to the end of cable.

That's the reason I decided not to go with them a few years ago - you can't, nicely, mount them in a vehicle.

I standardised on Cannon 3 pin connectors:

Site Link

available anywhere, cheap, robust, in all panel and line mounting styles including reverse, polarised and specified for 16A (which will be breaking current - probably good for 20+ running current).

Whatever you go for; throw those bloody cigarette lighter connectors as far as you possibly can! :)

Mike Harding
FollowUp 1 of 6
FollowupID: 511290   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 14:55

drivesafe posted:

Hi Mike, this is a down side to them and I would love to see a panel mount version be available but because they are so small and you don’t have to cut mounting holes in the 4x4’s interior to use them, many of my customers make them up for use in the rear of their 4x4s and just tuck the cable and PowerPoles under the carpet when not in use.

Cheers.
FollowUp 2 of 6
FollowupID: 511334   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 18:49

Member - Phil G (SA) posted:

Drivesafe,
When you join two powerpoles together, you end up with a hole in the middle of the pair, so that you can surface mount them with a self tapper or small bolt.
Mt Finke
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FollowUp 3 of 6
FollowupID: 511353   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 20:15

Member - Mike DID posted:

You can easily panel mount them - just cut a rectangular slot in the panel - have look at the example in my rig photos - click on it to enlarge it.
Mike R
FollowUp 4 of 6
FollowupID: 511394   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 23:09

Member - Mike DID posted:

The Anderson PP30 Datasheet shows Mounting Clamps for mounting between 2 and 8 poles using 2 screws.
Mike R
FollowUp 5 of 6
FollowupID: 511407   Submitted: Monday, Jul 02, 2007 at 06:14

drivesafe posted:

Hi Phil G and Mike DID, the type of mount I would like to get is a recessed 2 pole panel mount that would fit in a similar manor as to conventional cigarette lighter power sockets.

There is a recessed 4 pole mount available but not a 2 pole version.

Cheers
FollowUp 6 of 6
AnswerID: 250145   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 13:37

Mainey (WA) replied:

GT the "30 Amp Anderson Powerpole" plug will only accept a MAXIMUM of 2.6 mm thick (wire) cable.
Reply 4 of 6
FollowupID: 511289   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 14:49

drivesafe posted:

Hi Mainey, we use them a fair bit and depending on the brand of cable, they are either a very snug fit or occasionally you may end up with two or three copper strands left out and have to be trimmed, but the 30 amp Anderson PowerPoles will accommodate 6mm automotive cable.

Cheers.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 511304   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 16:35

Mainey (WA) posted:

This actual "30 Amp Anderson powerpole techdata" link explains things like size and dimensions.

http://www.powerwerx.com/techdata/pp30c.pdf

So it looks like that same old thing of '6mm auto cable' actually being only 2.6mm thick copper 'wire' - the rest (3.4mm) being the 'plastic' covering the wire lol

FollowUp 2 of 2
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AnswerID: 250198   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2007 at 20:20

Member - Mike DID replied:

The big advantage of Powerpoles is that they are genderless - you put the SAME connector on batteries, lights, power supplies.

I can plug the light onto a battery or a power supply AND I can plug the power supply onto a battery to charge it.

An extension lead has the same connector at both ends !

I can reverse an Ammeter with no connector hassles.

You will never reverse polarities due to the brilliant design.
Mike R
Reply 5 of 6
AnswerID: 250474   Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 03, 2007 at 11:49

Member - Mike DID replied:

Another good thing about Powerpoles is that 15, 30 and 45 amp Powerpoles are all interconnectable - they use the same size plastic shell.

If you get the 45 amp pins they will take up to 8G wire - 4mm copper OD.
www.hamsource.com/app.html
Mike R
Reply 6 of 6

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