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DC Cables with Anderson Powerpoles
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PowerPal™ DC Power Cables let you connect just about anything to anything
New! By popular request, we've added some new items.
Custom cables are no problem at all. Please e-mail us at sales@qsradio.com with your requirements. DC Connections can be a nightmare. PowerPals™ from Quicksilver Radio Products offer the best solution. PowerPals™ are designed to solve DC power connection headaches. We offer them in a wide variety of configurations. Each features an Anderson Powerpole on one end, and a common DC connector on the other. Powerpoles are genderless connectors; wired correctly, they're impossible to connect "backwards".
PowerPals™ conform to the standard used by most ARES and other emergency communications groups nationwide. If you look at the picture (right above), you can see that the silver contact "tongues" are at the top with the red housing on the right. This is the most widely used configuration and we encourage you to follow it. "Tongue Top Red Right" is an easy way to remember it. Here are a few more tips: We VERY STRONGLY RECOMMEND using PowerPals (and any other Powerpole accessories) exclusively for 12 Volt (nominal) DC power connections. If you decide to use Powerpoles for something other than 12V DC, please do yourself and others a favor and configure them so that they cannot mate with standard cables. If you fail to do this, sooner or later you will make a mistake, causing damage to equipment and possibly harm to yourself and others. As with any other electrical cord, always unplug your PowerPals by gripping the connector, not the wire. The National Electrical Code specifies #12 Wire as good for 20 Amps, #14 Wire for 15 Amps, and #16 for 10 Amps. We do not recommend exceeding these limits. 100 Watt HF Transceivers generally draw about 20 Amps max. 50 or 60 Watt FM Transceivers draw about 15 Amps max. For several reasons we discourage you from running higher powered mobile rigs (for example, 50W 2M or dual band FM rigs, ICOM 706 or Yaesu FT-100, etc.) with our cigarette lighter adapters. The '706 and FT-100 draw approximately 20 Amps on Transmit; FM 50 Watt rigs typically draw 15 Amps. Even a 15 Amp draw is likely to blow the fuse protecting the lighter circuit. We also understand that there is some risk of a voltage spike on starting and stopping the engine, so we recommend connecting your radio after the engine starts, and disconnecting it prior to shutting the engine off. For mobile installation, we do recommend using #12 or heavier wire direct (through a fuse) to the battery. Running the cable, especially in newer cars, is not always an easy task. Places that install auto stereo and alarm systems are often willing to do the job. Expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $50.00 -- not cheap, but they have the tools and expertise to do it right. There have been any number of articles in the Amateur Radio magazines dealing with this subject, and we don't consider ourselves experts on the subject. We will pass along three rules, though: 1. Make sure you put a fuse as close as possible to the battery. 2. Make sure you put a fuse as close as possible to the battery. 3. Make sure you put a fuse as close as possible to the battery.
If you're not sure whether, or where, to put a fuse in the wire, refer to rules 1-3 above. Even if your radio came with a fused power cord, the fuse is probably at the radio end of the cable. This is done (we presume) to allow the cable to be fished through the firewall. Think for a minute about what would happen should a short develop anywhere between the pre-installed fuses and the battery. A "Car-B-Cue" can really ruin your day. Radio Shack (and likely many other stores) carry small fuse holders that are easy to mount. Make sure to get the right sized fuse, and keep a few spares in the glove box.
Always check for correct polarity before connecting to unfamiliar equipment! We all know that Red wire is always used for DC + and Black wire for DC-. Somewhere out there is a guy or gal who doesn't know that. If you don't check for correct polarity before connecting to someone else's equipment, you're almost certain to meet him/her. You'll then see a small, or maybe large, puff of magic electronic smoke. The smoke is what makes radios work, and when you let it out they stop working. Please check back often as we expand our line. If you have a need for something we don't yet offer, please let us know. We welcome your suggestions and we'll do our best to help you. Need more info? E-mail info@qsradio.com Thanks and 73,
John Bee, N1GNV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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To order:
We accept PayPal on-line payments. Your personal check is also welcome. Our mailing address is:
Quicksilver Radio Products 30 Tremont St. Meriden, CT 06450
If you're ordering by mail, please include a list of what you are ordering, your shipping address, and telephone and/or e-mail address. We generally ship within 1 or 2 business days after receiving your order.
Shipping & Handling:
Need more info? E-mail info@qsradio.com. Thanks and 73, John Bee, N1GNV
Send mail to
webmaster@qsradio.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
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