[TowerTalk] Trailer Hitch Electrical Connectors for Rotator Cable

[Patrick Greenlee]

You may note the many comments regarding successful use of the 4 pin 
trailer connectors in pairs for 8 conductor cables. I noticed  NO 
negative comments regarding their actual use.   I personally solder 
rather than crimp them onto my cables and cover with shrink with some 
silicone caulk injected but that is just my personal quirk. Butt splice 
with the waterproof splices as their plastic insulation is "shrink" and 
and there is hot melt sealant inside that guarantees a water proof 
seal.  These are used hundreds of feet underwater and work fine and last 
a long time. if you know how to get a good crimp you are ready for weather.

I wouldn't abandon this nifty solution (molded 4 pin trailer connectors) 
because of having to make 8 splices.

Anyway, good luck whatever you choose to do.

73,

Patrick NJ5G



On 8/20/2014 9:16 PM, W3YY wrote:
> Thanks to all those who offered suggestions.
>
> In my case, I want connectors that don't have wires already attached.  I
> don't want to have to butt splice my existing rotator cable wires to wires
> coming from the connector, I want to connect my rotator cable wires directly
> to the connector.  Many of the commercial trailer hitch connectors have
> pigtails.  Those that don't, don't seem to make clear how one does attach
> the wires, e.g., crimp, solder, pressure fit, etc.  I found trying to
> evaluate trailer hitch connectors on the Internet to be problematic.
>
> KF7P suggested making a connector using Anderson Power Pole connectors.  I
> think that's definitely worth a try.  I have a large stock of Anderson Power
> Pole connectors with 15  to 45 amp capacity and the associated crimping
> tool.  The basic Anderson Power Pole connector is not weatherproof, but I
> think with a proper tape job it can be made weather resistant.  Best of all,
> if it fails, it's a snap to cut off the old one, strip and recrimp new
> contacts. And reinstall.  Easily done, even up on the tower without the need
> of a butane soldering gun.
>
> Will let the group know in a year or two how well this works.
>
> Again, thanks to all for helping me make a decision about this.
>
> 73, Bob - W3YY
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of W3YY
> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 11:27 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Trailer Hitch Electrical Connectors for Rotator Cable
>
> Does anyone have any recommendations for trailer hitch electrical connectors
> that work well as rotator control cable connectors?  I would like to have at
> least 5 conductors in the connector, if possible.
>
>   
>
> 73, Bob - W3YY
>
>   
>
>   
>
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