View Single Post
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 20-12-2013, 00:28
Wingus&Dingus Wingus&Dingus is offline
Registered User
FTC #7440
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 11
Wingus&Dingus is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: [FTC]: HiTechnic Motor Controllers - Motor and Power wires fall out???

There are 2 common types of PCB terminal block available, spring wire protector and rising clamp.
Unfortunately the HiTechnic controllers use spring wire protector type which for the miniscule saving in cost just isn't worth it. If you try to use these with bare or tinned wires you'll run into trouble as noted simply because it's really only the screw end that's applying any pressure holding wires in and once you over tighten them (trying to stop them falling out...) it just gets worse because the wire protector gets deformed.

Rising clamp terminal blocks have far more solid construction and will clamp the wire over a much larger area.

We've always used wire ferrules with the HiTechnic controllers and never had an issue with them falling out. That said please HiTechnic add $0.50 to the product cost and give us decent rising clamp terminal blocks! We'll pay the extra $1.00.

Totally agree with aklego - all these tinned wires are really bad and we don't actually use any of the supplied wires or crimps at all as a result.
Reply With Quote