[TowerTalk] FW: Rotor control cable connectors

Tue May 20 20:40:29 EDT 2014

Hi All

The one that was looking for 8 pin trailer connector might check out the
following location. 
http://www.delcity.net/store/8!Way-Connector-Loop/p_8776
I have bought from them and have had very good results.

73, de KN4KL/KG4KL ed

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
Patrick Greenlee
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 11:46 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] FW: Rotor control cable connectors

Amen, MIke. It would be good to have a third hand when up a tower. With
proper climbing gear a lanyard should hold you securely to free up your
hands. It would be good to position the connector such that you can wrap
your arm around a tower component and still use the hand on that arm to hold
onto one side of the connector pair.  I never pry the trailer type
connectors apart as I have sufficient grip to pull and wiggle to get them
apart one piece in each hand.  In due time I may end up using pliers
(probably Vice Grips) to hold onto the halves.)  I tried several brick and
mortar sources but never found 8 pin trailer type connectors.  
Two each 4 pin git 'er done and are likely easier to put together and pull
apart.

I am trying to set up my three towers and Hy-Gain Hy-Tower vertical such 
that I NEVER have to climb them or use a ladder to work with them.   
Over the years tower climbing has begun to be less fun.

73,

Patrick NJ5G

On 5/19/2014 5:59 PM, Mike wrote:
> Whether you use 4, 6 or 8 pin trailer hitch type connectors, make sure 
> you are able to engage and more importantly, disconnect the mated 
> connectors with your hand.  I've used the 4, 6 and 8 pin trailer hitch 
> connectors sold at auto parts store and found I had to use a screw 
> driver to separate the connectors when fully mated.  A PITA when on top of
the tower, etc.
>
>    73,
>    Mike, K4GMH
>
>
> On Mon, May 19, 2014 at 4:55 PM, Tom_N2SR via TowerTalk < 
> towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:
>
>> The Wireman has what you are looking for.  8 pole molded male and 
>> female disconnect.
>>
>>
>> https://www.thewireman.com/prodpix6.html
>>
>> I do not own The Wireman, nor do I work for them, therefore I have no 
>> interest.  Just passing on information.
>>
>>
>> Tom, N2SR
>>
>>
>>
>> On Monday, May 19, 2014 11:01 AM, Patrick Greenlee < 
>> patrick_g at windstream.net> wrote:
>>
>> Matt, That is certainly a good pro way to handle the problem (older 
>> persons substitute word for "issue.") I am doing essentially the same 
>> thing at the terminal strip, exiting that terminal strip area with a 
>> made up cable (separate insulated wires with a couple layers of 
>> shrink over them and plenty of silicon rubber (RTV) inside over the 
>> terminal strip.  Nicee and weather proof.  Where you went with a 
>> J-box and internal terminal strip, I wnet with a pair of 4 pin polarized
"flat 4"
>> trailer connectors.; With a few wraps of tape and some RTV and you 
>> are weatherproof. Coax seal is even easier to put on and take off and 
>> would work good.as well.
>>
>> Comparing the two approaches is like arguing whether it is 50 cents or a
>> half dollar.   With a note paper inside the J-box as a reminder of what
>> color wire goes to which number terminal (unless of course the other 
>> cable is same colors) and you are in business.  About the only 
>> advantage I could claim is a little cost and the ability to connect 
>> and disconnect in the dark without needing a third or fourth hand and 
>> a light.  I do not intend to be plugging and unplugging in the dark 
>> and the savings won't buy much these days.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Patrick NJ5G
>> On 5/18/2014 10:53 PM, Matt wrote:
>>> Hi Patrick,
>>>
>>> Just another take on the chronic problem with the older terminal block
>>> design that you mention...   My solution was to replace the terminal
>> strip
>>> with a blank-off plate through which I passed a short whip that 
>>> extends
>> the
>>> rotor wiring out to a weatherproof external J-box which houses the
>> terminal
>>> strip.  I use small compression nuts that are similar to seal-tight
>>> connectors at the blank-off plate and the J-box.   J box is mounted to
>> one
>>> of the tower legs which also makes accessing the terminal strip a 
>>> lot easier.
>>>
>>> Matt
>>> KM5VI
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I was looking for connectors to add to older HY-Gain rotors using 8
>> wires.
>>> My new production unit came with connectors  but the older units use 
>>> an 8 position terminal strip that is not so wonderfully weather 
>>> proofed.  So
>> you
>>> get your unit refurbed or it is still working fine  but still has 
>>> the old terminal strip... not satisfactory...
>>>
>>> So I'm searching Mouser, Digi Key etc and then...  and then... the 
>>> little over my head light came on, dimly but noticeably illuminated.
>>> Flat 4 pin trailer connectors for hooking up the lights on a trailer 
>>> to
>> be
>>> towed.  Need 8 pins.  Connector has 4 pins. One side is 3 males and 
>>> a
>> female
>>> and the mating connector is 3 female pins and a male. Take one of 
>>> each
>> male
>>> and female and using the supplied pigtails put on ring terminals and
>> install
>>> the pair of flat connectors to the terminal strip.  Flood the 
>>> terminal
>> strip
>>> with Silicon rubber (RTV) or your favorite weather proofer and put 
>>> on the cover.  Another pair of connectors terminates your cable run 
>>> at the
>> rotator
>>> end.
>>>
>>> This gives you polarized connector action. You can't plug the cable 
>>> run
>> from
>>> the controller into the wrong connectors at the rotator. The trailer 
>>> type flat 4 pin connectors are made to be exposed to the elements in 
>>> their
>> normal
>>> application.  I like belt and suspender type weather proofing so...  
>>> Wrap the connectors with tape or coax seal or whatever you prefer to 
>>> boost the weather resistance if you are worried that these 
>>> inexpensive connectors could do a good job. Electrical tape and a 
>>> little RTV does a marvelous
>> job
>>> and is easy enough to remove if the need arises.
>>>
>>> I kinow, I know, no material certs, no mil-spec, NIH, too 
>>> inexpensive to
>> be
>>> good etc etc...
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Patrick NJ5G
>>> _______________________________________________
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