Electrical Connectors

[dyanoshak]

Originally Posted by RaMoore

Not, to make this thread overly complicated but, it's important to not use ring style connectors on the Jaguar motor controllers.

The screws for the (+/-) In and the (+/-) Motor connections should not be fully removed. These are special "captive terminal screws" and when fully removed, or is the threads are crossed it can leave small metal fragments to roam about inside the jaguar leading to possible failure.

I'm not sure, but I don't think that the captive terminal screws issue applies to the black jaguars, but of course cross-threading still can be an issue.

MDL-BDC FA Report (2009 Season) Page 8

Like Foster suggested, hooks are a pretty cool alternative to rings. You can also buy premade hooks, and you never have to go find the stupid screw you took out and misplaced when trying to get a ring terminal on...

Correct, the screws on Gray Jaguar (MDL-BDC) are captive and will leave behind small metal fragments when backed out completely, but this issue was addressed on Black Jaguar. Black Jags do not have captive screws.

My team still uses spade terminals for the reason you mentioned above, lost screws. It is also bad if you accidentally put the colored screws back in the wrong place (red in negative terminal, for example)... Knowing how my brain works, matching colors is easier than actually thinking about what I'm doing! (thanks Candyland?)

I've heard the gripe about spade terminals spreading under the screw when it is tightened. Something that I've noticed is that the standard hardware stores do not sell spade terminals designed for #6 screws (the screw size on the Jaguars and Victors), they are usually for #8 screws. If you can get your hands on #6 spades (69145K918 at McMaster), you'll find that they don't spread out under the screws pressure, and you can actually get a tight fit.

I haven't played with the flanged spades or the hook terminals (except making my own from rings in a pinch). I imagine they add quite a bit more security.

-David