[TowerTalk] OR-2800 pigtail connector

[mcduffie at actcom.net]

On Sat, 31 May 2003 08:45:05 EDT, K4BEV at aol.com wrote:

> K9RB at bellsouth.net writes:
> >> I've found the most reliable rotator connector, by far, is the
> >> automotive flat rubber trailer connectors that come with pigtails...

> Don't ya just love cheap, easy, elegant solutions that actually work?
> The above is one of 'em.

> I'd like to add - 
> Put a bit of antioxidant stuff on each wire before you crimp it. It doesn't 
> take much.

I haven't tried the No-Alox kind of thing on them, but they do well
if you fill each socket hole with silicon grease before plugging the
two halves together.  Be generous.  Otherwise, you'll probably
develop an iffy connection a few years down the road.  On the other
hand, if you're anal about preventative maintenance and work the
rotor over every year or two, you'll be scrubbing those connections
clean.  Despite good intentions, most people don't.

I wouldn't trust a crimp connection.  Sure, go ahead and crimp it,
but followup and flow some solder down in each one after.  Properly
done crimps work, but why take a chance.  Most people don't have the
tools to do them properly anyway.

Several people have mentioned "butt splicing".  I'm not sure what
they are talking about, but I wouldn't add any more hardware to the
connections than necessary.  Solder the rubber connectors directly
to the cable and be done with it.  Never trust a mechanical
connection when you don't have to.

gm

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