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Ham Radio Workbench Podcast

This podcast is your bi-weekly deep dive on making, DIY, electronics, and technical topics of interest to the ham radio operator. Join your hosts George KJ6VU and Jeremy KF7IJZ as they discuss current developments in ham radio while introducing listeners to a plethora of topics and skills such as test equipment, 3D Printing, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and more.

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12V DC Outlet Strip

May 15, 2018

Ham Radio Workbench 12V DC Outlet Strip Project Board

Introduction

A perfect introduction to soldering!  The Ham Radio Workbench 12V DC Outlet Strip allows you to share a single 12v power source across four other devices.  This project features:

  • Designed for Anderson Powerpole Connectors
  • Total current capacity not to exceed 25 Amps @ 12V nominal
  • Four fuse holders that accept standard or low profile ATC fuses
  • Polarity indicator for the 12V input to verify that your source is wired correctly
  • An LED will light to indicate when a load is connected to an output port with a blown fuse

Documentation

ASSEMBLY TIP TO MOUNT THE Anderson Powerpoles! 

We designed this project to use 14 gauge solid core copper wire (not stranded) terminated with standard 30 Amp power poles - no PCB mounts required! 

PLEASE NOTE!

This project is intended to be completed with Solid Core 14 Gauge Wire-it eliminates the possiblity of shorts due to strands and the Powerpoles will have a more solid mechanical connection to the board.  If you decide to proceed with stranded, do so at your own risk as it will be CRITICAL to ensure that no strands are touching one another.  Also, Powerpoles mounted with stranded wire may not be as mechanically sound on the board as solid.

  1. Begin by cutting two individual lengths of 14 gauge solid copper wire, 2"-3" in length (the shorter the length that you're comfortable working with, the better).  If using 2-conductor wire, separate the pair in to individual wires.
  2. Carefully remove the insulation from each strand of wire so that you are left with two lengths of bare copper wire.
  3. Terminate each of the wire lengths with 30 Amp Anderson Powerpoles, and install the terminated wires in the plastic housings.
  4. Run the end of the wire in the black housing through the hole on the side of the board where "GND" is printed inside the "Input" box.  Leave a little slack, as you will need it to join the Powerpoles - If using stranded wire, take extra care to make sure that no loose strands fly away from the copper wire.
  5. Run the end of the wire in the red housing through the hole on the side of the board where "12V" is printed inside the "Input" box.  Leave a little slack, as you will need it to join the Powerpoles - If using stranded wire, take extra care to make sure that no loose strands fly away from the copper wire.
  6. Attach the two Powerpole housings together and pull the excess wire tight through the boards so that the Powerpoles sit as flush with the board as possible - if using stranded wire, take extra care one final time to verify that there are no loose strands between wires which could cause a short circuit.
  7. With the Powerpoles pulled tight against the board, flip the board over and solder the wire to the connection point in the PCB - make sure you have a good solder point and that the mounting point fills completely with solder.
  8. Once the soldering is complete, cut the excess wire away from the PCB
  9. Inspect your work and apply more solder if necessary.

 

Parts/Supplies