Red Right, Tongue Top
Memorize that phrase. See attached photo.
Hams typically use Anderson Powerpole series PP15, PP30 and PP45 for 12VDC systems.
Black = negative
Red = positive
The 15, 30 and 45 distinguish the contact that goes into a universal housing. The contacts are selected based on the wire size in AWG:
PP15 => 18-16 AWG (Contact 1332)
PP30 => 14-12 AWG (Contact 1331)
PP45 => 10 AWG (Contact 261G2)
If you look at the spec sheet, Anderson says the contacts actually
accept a larger range of wire sizes as follows, but it is common practice to use the above values. From the spec sheet (last page):
PP15 => 20-16 AWG (Contact 1332)
PP30 => 16-12 AWG (Contact 1331)
PP45 => 14-10 AWG (Contact 261G2
The mating surfaces of all three contact sizes have the same surface area. It is the wire size, not the contact size, that dictates the current-handling capability of the connector. The spec sheet shows temperature rise curves for current versus wire size.
Anderson recommends crimping the connections. The spec sheet says that “Only closed barrel contacts are suitable for soldering,” meaning only the PP15 contacts may be soldered. WB6FRZ may weigh in advising that soldered connections do not stand up to vibration, and therefore should be avoided.
I use a drop of cyanoacrylate glue (super glue) to bond the black and red housings together. I have a hammer ready to quickly force the housings into position before the glue sets. I non-destructively separated glued connectors, again using a hammer, in the one instance I tried.
Here’s the spec sheet:
http://www.andersonpower.com/_global-assets/downloads/pdf/ds-pp1545.pdf
Here’s a common source:
https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power-powerpole-sb-connectors
– Fred AE6SF
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