Restricted to the Anderson Connectors in the Kit?

[eugenebrooks]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

My take on rule <R48> is that we are not allowed to use battery connectors other than provided in the kit. Why is this? In the past we have been able to use different (better) powerpole model conectors. The ones in the kit are only rated for 50 amps and we can pull way more than that through the breaker and we have seen these things melt/weld themselves together especially after they get scratched by using the aligator clips on the chargers. Why "must" we use these? Also, the 6 gauge wire on them is not very good.

We use identical connectors from Wrangler Power products,
http://www.wranglernw.com, the color and stamping on the parts
is the same as the Anderson product. We use 6 gauge rubber
insulated welding wire from the same source, for its flexibility.

Use the 10-12 gauge terminals to put the same connectors
on your battery chargers. This is a very safe, fool proof,
connection that will avoid scratching the contacts.

Part numbers are:
Red Connector Housing: 34-319R
Crimp Terminals for 6 gauge wire: 34-319-10
Crimp Terminals for 12-10 gauge wire: 34-319-6

Suitable adhesive lined heat shrink, by the foot
Black 3/8" 32-660B
Red 3/8" 32-660R

It is the crimp tooling that costs money:
HexJr Crimper: 38-101J (expensive, but a professional job)
Hammer Style Crimper: 38-101

The real problem this year is the explicit rule to use the
SLC-70 "screw tightened" terminals. Wrangler has very
excellent heavy duty solid copper lugs that are crimped
by the same crimpers listed above, and it would be nice
if FIRST allows us to "not build down to the electrical code"
so to speak. I understand that the SLC-70 connectors,
suitably soldered, are the best option for a team that does
not want to invest in proper crimper tooling and lugs, but
teams should have the option of doing the connections
better and safer.