Need help/advice on connectors

[Rktman]

Hi all, I'm looking for a quick-disconnect plug for an umbilical mast I have for my gliders. Right now it's a crude and inelegant solution to attach my launch clips to the bare ends of the wires that lead to a 2nd set of micro clips at the top of the umbilical.

What I'd like to do is split off a lead from my current launch cord and use a set of male-female connectors that I can just plug into my current umbilical cord when needed, and unplug when I'm not launching a glider.

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to model electrical parts and a Forum search has only turned up JST type connectors. Would these work? Any suggestions for reliable sources that won't supply "reverse wired" cheapo knockoffs? Are there better or more reliable US-made connectors?

Hope this sketch clarifies things:

 

[SpaceX76]

Will there be a load on the connector?

 

[UhClem]

Anderson PowerPole connectors would work and are inexpensive. The crimper would be a bit much if this is a one off use but perhaps you could turn up an amateur radio operator who would help.

 

[rharshberger]

An XT30 or XT60 connector would work as they have a good amperage rating and are neither expensive nor hard to get. Any RC hobby shop should have them.

 

[Rktman]

Will there be a load on the connector?

No, not really.

 

[Rktman]

Anderson PowerPole connectors would work and are inexpensive. The crimper would be a bit much if this is a one off use but perhaps you could turn up an amateur radio operator who would help.

Thanks for the suggestion. Assuming I would need to buy the connectors and housings separately, since I only need 1 set? Do the housings just slide together and click into place to complete the circuit, since they're genderless? Do the plastic housings need to be crimped to work? Also is a 15 amp pair sufficient for LPR (I use a simple Estes 2230E Launch Controller with 30' of cable)? (Sorry for all the questions but I just want to make sure I get the right parts. I made a mistake last week and ordered some RC connector parts that totally won't work),

 

[WillMarchant]

Anderson PowerPole connectors would work and are inexpensive. The crimper would be a bit much if this is a one off use but perhaps you could turn up an amateur radio operator who would help.

I like the Powerpole connectors a lot. You can buy harness from places like https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.html#!/Powerpals™-Cables-w-Powerpoles/c/11549247/offset=40 where you could cut off the part you didn't want and then solder starter clips on.

If you go to NOVAAR or BattlePark launches let me know and I'll make one up for you.

 

[WillMarchant]

Lots of good stuff about the Anderson Powerpole at this https://powerwerx.com/help/powerpole-connectors site.

 

[Scrapmaster87]

I'm going to 2nd xt30 connectors. I'm in the process of moving to them and retiring my speaker terminals for ejection charge field connections.

 

[Rktman]

An XT30 or XT60 connector would work as they have a good amperage rating and are neither expensive nor hard to get. Any RC hobby shop should have them.

These look like the male/female ARRMA XT90 T-Plug Adapter leads that I ordered earlier. Only problem was that each unit in turn required specialized input terminals instead of just solderless connections that could be crimpled around bare wire from my launch cord.

Or are the XT30 and XT60 not the same as the ARRMA XT90?

 

[UhClem]

Also is a 15 amp pair sufficient for LPR

The difference in the 15A, 30A, and 45A contacts are the size of wire they accept. The contacts stay the same. Those current ratings are of course for continuous service which means for your pulsed duty, they are overkill.

http://www.westmountainradio.com/kb_view_topic.php?id=ST166

 

[Rktman]

Lots of good stuff about the Anderson Powerpole at this https://powerwerx.com/help/powerpole-connectors site.

Thanks! Those detailed instructions and photos REALLY helped make things clear and understandable.

 

[Rktman]

The difference in the 15A, 30A, and 45A contacts are the size of wire they accept. The contacts stay the same. Those current ratings are of course for continuous service which means for your pulsed duty, they are overkill.

http://www.westmountainradio.com/kb_view_topic.php?id=ST166

I gotcha, makes sense. Really appreciate the link and your feedback!

 

[Rktman]

I like the Powerpole connectors a lot. You can buy harness from places like https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.html#!/Powerpals™-Cables-w-Powerpoles/c/11549247/offset=40 where you could cut off the part you didn't want and then solder starter clips on.

If you go to NOVAAR or BattlePark launches let me know and I'll make one up for you.

So if I got this harness: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.ht...ire-w-Powerpoles/p/51555022/category=11549247 I would need two, one set spliced into my existing launch cord, and the other set with the ring terminals cut off and replaced with micro clips? And the two terminal connector ends would then plug into each other? Hope I got that right.

 

[WillMarchant]

So if I got this harness: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.ht...ire-w-Powerpoles/p/51555022/category=11549247 I would need two, one set spliced into my existing launch cord, and the other set with the ring terminals cut off and replaced with micro clips? And the two terminal connector ends would then plug into each other? Hope I got that right.

I’d buy one “extension cable“ like this https://www.qsradio.com/tablet/shop...Cable-5-12-gauge/p/51555100/category=11549247 and cut it in half. The two Powerpoles will plug into each other. Splice one cut end onto your existing launch cables. Put microchips on the other cut end.

 

[Rktman]

I’d buy one “extension cable“ like this https://www.qsradio.com/tablet/shop...Cable-5-12-gauge/p/51555100/category=11549247 and cut it in half. The two Powerpoles will plug into each other. Splice one cut end onto your existing launch cables. Put microchips on the other cut end.

Much thanks Will, excellent solution and even more economical!

 

[Jim Hinton]

These look like the male/female ARRMA XT90 T-Plug Adapter leads that I ordered earlier. Only problem was that each unit in turn required specialized input terminals instead of just solderless connections that could be crimpled around bare wire from my launch cord.

View attachment 485989 Or are the XT30 and XT60 not the same as the ARRMA XT90?

The charge cord pictured is using a 'Dean's plug'. Very standard in R/C. They do require soldering. That is my preferred plug for power systems up to 12V.
Jim

 

[Rktman]

Much thanks for all the feedback guys! I was totally clueless, so you've really helped me out.

 

[RICHARD COLARCO]

Anderson powerpole connectors are great, but pricey. Just buy a cheap polarized extension cord and cut it in half. You're in business.

 

[JimByrne]

How about using 2 pole trailer plugs that you can get at the auto parts store---cheep & easy to get

 

[RICHARD COLARCO]

Probably even cheaper than my idea!

 

[OverTheTop]

How about RCA audio connectors? Fairly ubiquitous and capable of reasonable current. Easy to handle for mating/unmating.