[TowerTalk] FW: Rotor control cable connectors

John Hudson jd_hudson at comcast.net
Tue May 20 22:06:43 EDT 2014 

Dan I did the same thing.. Put 1 male & 1 female on either side and you 
can't connect them wrong

John
KO4XJ


On May 20, 2014 8:11:57 PM Dan Hearn <n5ardxcc at gmail.com> wrote:
> I use 2 of the 4 pin trailer connectors sets on my rotator cables. Hook one
> of the male connectors to the rotator and the female connector for the
> other cable to the rotator. You can then easily connect or disconnect
> while holding on to the tower.
>
> Dan, N5AR
>
>
> On Tue, May 20, 2014 at 5:40 PM, Ed Williams <sunset392 at cox.net> wrote:
>
> > 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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>
> --
> Dan Hearn
> N5AR
> _______________________________________________
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