[TowerTalk] FW: Rotor control cable connectors

Wed May 21 08:34:32 EDT 2014

Ed, Thanks for the POC for 8 pin trailer connectors.  Good price for an 
8 pin connector. I have already set up two of my rotors with pairs of 4 
pin connectors but over time as my 5 control boxes and 4 rotators get 
shuffled I will likely go with the 8 pin from that site.  Until 
recently, when mentioned here, I was blissfully unaware that there were 
8 pin trailer type connectors as the trailer parts places I have checked 
did not have them.

73,

Patrick NJ5G

On 5/20/2014 7:40 PM, Ed Williams 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
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________
>>>> No infections found in this incoming message Scanned by iolo System
>>>> Shield http://www.iolo.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>> _______________________________________
>> No infections found in this incoming message Scanned by iolo System
>> Shield http://www.iolo.com
>>
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________
> No infections found in this incoming message
> Scanned by iolo System Shield
> http://www.iolo.com
>
>
>