Hi Ed... in my short note earlier about the use of Molex connectors in
power circuits, I failed to point out that they are rated at 5A 250V... but
they are specifically "intended for I/O circuit connections." Molex/Waldom
does make a very similar connector line which they describe as a power
connector, but in reality these are intended for the relatively low
currents of small 125 VAC power-not currents >5A (ratings up to 12A
notwithstanding.)
I do not believe anyone is headed for trouble with any of the 'power'
connectors at voltages of <250 VAC and currents of <5A. I would not put
that much power through an ordinary Molex connector, but would not be
uncomfortable at, say 12VDC and 3-5 amps on more than two pins per circuit.
However, the current capacity is not linearly additive per pin. With each
chunk of heat to dissipate, the connector's total capacity is reduced. Just
because it says 5A per connection (and they are implying 'per pin-pair' in
that phrase) does not mean you can put 20A through a 4 pin connector. Not
at all.
I discovered a great connector at a hamfest several years ago, researched
it, and made up my own kit of pins, packages and tooling. This series is
the Anderson Power Products PowerPole connector line. The are
rated-depending on which size-at 15/30/45 amps or even 75 amps per pin, and
will do every bit of it. They are impossible-as far as I can see-to reverse
connect, and they are available both in small quantities at hamfests, and
from Allied Electronics-right from the catalog. They have multiple colored
bodies, silver-plated pins, and can be panel mounted-or floated mid-cable.
They are also modular, and hence may be physically combined into multi-pin
power connectors. They're also relatively small, with approx. 0.3" x 0.3" x
1.6" for one connected pair (1 wire.) The pins cost from $0.15 ea to $1.43
(75A) in onesies. The bodies are equally cheap at $0.31 each for the
15/30/45 amp size!
I do not work for anyone connected with them/etc. and cannot recommend them
enough.
72/73
Ed Tanton N4XY EMAIL: n4xy@avana.net TEL: (770)579-3933 V/MBX/FAX
189 Pioneer Trail
Marietta, GA 30068-3466
QRP-ARCI#7663 G-QRP#6779 OK-QRP#172 QRP-L#758 AdvRC#140
NORCAL#1779 NCDXF SEDXC
Life Member: ARRL AMSAT IDRA INDEXA QCWA
URL: Coming Sooner or Later
"Think you can, think you can't: either way you're right!" Henry Ford
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