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BrandonGlatz 25-01-2012 13:33

Looking for a connector
 
{I'm not new here, for some reason my old account was deleted }

So This year for my control system, I am putting it in a box for protection. The only outside interface will be for the motors.

I am trying to find a connector that will be able to handle 28 or so motor-gauge wire. I would prefer one connector, but if it requires up to three that would be fine.

Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for connectors that would accomplish this?

MrForbes 25-01-2012 13:40

Re: Looking for a connector
 
I suggest you keep the motor wires separated by motor, so if you have to replace or troubleshoot a motor, it will be a lot easier.

PA45 Anderson Powerpole connectors work well, you can pair them, use different colors, and they are pretty reliable.

Mr V 25-01-2012 13:41

Re: Looking for a connector
 
I'd start by looking at the Delphi Metri-pack series of connectors. Be careful though as you will find a number of connectors that have terminals that will accept up to 12 ga wire but are not rated to carry the full current capacity of a 12ga wire. They are only set up to accept that large gauge wire to prevent voltage drop. Also a given connector has a maximum total amperage capacity that again is not based on the size of the wire that terminals that will fit it are capable of handling. So you may find that 28 position connector that will accept terminals that can handle 40 amps each but not 400 amps that would result from 5 pairs of terminals carrying 40 amps.

Jon Stratis 25-01-2012 13:43

Re: Looking for a connector
 
Checkout the Anderson Power Pole series. the PP45's can handle up to 45A, so they're great for our applications. It's a single connector for each lead, but they interlock together to form larger connectors very easily. They also give you good polarity protection when you lock two or more together, as there's only 1 way to plug them in (like the Anderson connector we use for the battery).

If you decide to go that route, I highly recommend getting a proper crimper for them, like the one available here: http://www.westmountainradio.com/pro...ts_id=PWRcrimp

mikets 25-01-2012 13:44

Re: Looking for a connector
 
In previous years, we used the Anderson Powerpole connectors for motor power and DB37 or DB25 (multiple of them if necessary) for signals. You don't really want power wires to go in the same bundle with the signal wires anyway. They might inject noise to your signal wires.

Mr V 25-01-2012 14:38

Re: Looking for a connector
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis (Post 1113331)
Checkout the Anderson Power Pole series. the PP45's can handle up to 45A, so they're great for our applications. It's a single connector for each lead, but they interlock together to form larger connectors very easily. They also give you good polarity protection when you lock two or more together, as there's only 1 way to plug them in (like the Anderson connector we use for the battery).

Note those are only rated for 45A when used with 10 ga wire in a single configuration. With a 12ga wire they drop to 35A in a single configuration. Connect them in a multiple configuration and with the 10ga wire the rating drops to just over 30A per terminal, with 12ga it is just over 20A per terminal for loads occurring for more than ~1 minute.

http://andersonpower.com/files.php?file=DS-PP45(6).pdf

As I noted above you need to consider not only the size of wire it will accept, but the ampacity of the terminal and the ampacity of the connector as a system.

Of course that doesn't mean that you can't get away with it as we all do with the legal battery connector which is only rated at 60 amps when fitted with 6ga wire for the duration of a standard FRC match. Yet it is "protected" with a circuit breaker rated at twice that.

http://andersonpower.com/files.php?file=DS-SB50(3).pdf

MrForbes 25-01-2012 15:15

Re: Looking for a connector
 
The motor wires are 14 gage, aren't they? yet teams have been "getting away" with using the PowerPole connectors for them for years. I haven't heard of any of them melting.

Most ratings are very conservative for what we're doing, what with the very short life expectancy we require of a competition robot.

BrandonGlatz 25-01-2012 15:39

Re: Looking for a connector
 
I never even thought about using those. that would be awesome because they can be attached to the side of my case easily... Where would I go to order them?

chi-town-biker 25-01-2012 17:08

Re: Looking for a connector
 
http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpoles/

BrandonGlatz 25-01-2012 23:55

Re: Looking for a connector
 
I cant find any called a PA45 on their website... typo?

rwood359 26-01-2012 00:11

Re: Looking for a connector
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonGlatz (Post 1113697)
I cant find any called a PA45 on their website... typo?

PP45 is the correct series.
http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-po...ings-contacts/
The crimping tool that they sell in very good. We had some trouble last year getting the pins seated in the housing. Using their tool solved the problem.
http://www.powerwerx.com/crimping-to...-contacts.html

slijin 26-01-2012 00:27

Re: Looking for a connector
 
IMO, the only real acceptable application (for FRC purposes) of 28AWG wire is a circuit board - I wouldn't really be comfortable with it in any other situation. If you must, though, screw terminals may also work for you.

cmwilson13 26-01-2012 00:34

Re: Looking for a connector
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrel (Post 1113392)
The motor wires are 14 gage, aren't they? yet teams have been "getting away" with using the PowerPole connectors for them for years. I haven't heard of any of them melting.

Most ratings are very conservative for what we're doing, what with the very short life expectancy we require of a competition robot.

on our 2009 bot we melted the Anderson powerpoles on our intake roller it got jammed and the powerpoles melted and dripped down our frame

i would definitely recommend deans convectors they are much better

Al Skierkiewicz 26-01-2012 07:46

Re: Looking for a connector
 
Please remember that the current ratings on the Anderson connectors are the continuous duty ratings. These can be derated when used in an under three minute match. We have used the 45 amp connectors for at least 10 years now and have never had one fail. We use #10 for most applications involving high current motors. While it is difficult to insert #10, I spread the contact a little to help. Using the APP crimper (we got ours from West Mountain Radio) the contact is returned to normal and makes a great connection. As extra insurance, we add a little solder just to be sure.
The Anderson connectors can be stacked into multiple contacts that are also polarized. We have used up to sixteen contacts in one connector bundle in the past.

BrandonGlatz 26-01-2012 12:12

Re: Looking for a connector
 
Oh thanks then!


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