[FTC]: Anderson Powerpole Question

[FRC Team CC]

Chief Delphi,

We had a question regarding the Anderson Powerpole Connectors (used to replace the unreliable Tamiya connectors). After following the instructions provided in the FTC Wiring Guide, we found that the connectors came apart really easily, and could just be pulled apart without any effort.

Is this supposed to happen? If not, how can we solve the problem?

Thanks,
Charging Champions

[Foster]

When you say "come apart" do you mean that the pins pull out of the shell? That's an indication that you haven't pushed the pins into the shell far enough.

If you mean that the two ends that mate come apart it means the pins are not in the shell the right way. There is a curve to them that applies the mating surface pressure.

What size are you using?

[FRC Team CC]

We mean that the two ends that are supposed to connect to each other (e.g. the battery end and the charger end) do not click and can be pulled apart very easily.

Here is the link to the Powerpoles that we are using:

http://www.amazon.com/Anderson-Power...rson+Powerpole

How can we solve this problem? Is there some pin or clamping device that holds the two ends together?

Thanks,
Charging Champions

[Chinske4296]

They come with two pronged inserts to hold the plugs together... The slide in and as long as those stay in there is no way that the plugs can come undone.

[Chinske4296]

Here's an image of what I am talking about.

[cadandcookies]

One of the other ways you can minimize disconnections is by securing your wiring using zip ties-- if you immobilize the wire on both sides of the connection, I've never seen the small powerpole connectors disconnect. If you're using them as a battery connection and securely fastening your battery (which you should be), you shouldn't encounter any significant issues. Treat your electronics nicely and they will treat you nicely back!

[FRC Team CC]

Thanks to all for responding.

Chinske4296: We didn't receive those parts with our Anderson PowerPole kit. Can we buy them separately online?

Thanks,
Charging Champions

[JimInNJ]

No, they aren't in the kit. Powerwerx stocks them. www.powerwerx.com

[FRC Team CC]

Thanks for posting.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Team CC, what you describe is unusual for these connectors. We have used them for years on our FRC robots without resorting to the locking devices shown above or the other type manufactured by Anderson. Typically the friction alone holds them very tight. It really sounds like the contacts are not fully inserted in the shell. The metal of the contact should almost come out the front of the shell and there should be an audible 'click' when they are inserted properly. Does any part of the metal contact show at the back of the plastic shell?

[Andrew Schuetze]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Team CC, what you describe is unusual for these connectors. We have used them for years on our FRC robots without resorting to the locking devices shown above or the other type manufactured by Anderson. Typically the friction alone holds them very tight. It really sounds like the contacts are not fully inserted in the shell. The metal of the contact should almost come out the front of the shell and there should be an audible 'click' when they are inserted properly. Does any part of the metal contact show at the back of the plastic shell?

I agree with what Al is saying. Can you post some pictures of you power poles as you have built them?

[FRC Team CC]

Sorry for the late response. Here some pictures of one of the Anderson PowerPoles we built, taken from various angles:

[wgardner]

You need to have the wires with the contacts in the connector for them to snap together. Without the wires with the contacts, they will slip in and out.

Check out the 4th picture down on this link showing the cutaway view of a connector. The metal bump shown at the end of the connector snaps over the other metal bump on the mating connector. That's what holds them together. Without those, they will slip in and out freely.

[FRC Team CC]

Our problem is that the two connectors are not snapping together (the wire clicks into the connector without a problem).

One way to prevent the connectors from coming apart is to use the pronged inserts, as Chinske4296 was saying. Are the two connectors supposed to click together easily, or do we have to use the inserts mentioned above?

Thanks,
Charging Champions

[wgardner]

Can you show pictures of your connectors with the wires in them? Again, without the wires, they won't click together at all. They will only click together and be hard to pull apart once the wires are in place.

Some teams will push the wires with the pins into the connectors but not enough for the metalic crimped part to fully snap over the metal spring in the connector. If this snap hasn't happened, then the springs won't hold the two mated connectors together.