DC outlet panel

[jazzboypro]

Hello all,

I'm looking for a DC outlet panel, my power supply is an Astron RS-35M. i will be connecting 2 transceivers and 1 receiver to it. I've been looking at the RigRunner line from West Mountain Radio and i think this one would be ok

RigRunner

Do any of you have experience with this model or that particular brand ? Do you have another brand to recommend ?

Many thanks

73
VA2FCS

 

[a417]

$139 for something that requires you to put powerpoles on everything?

Bussman makes fuse panels that take spade terminals and they sell for <$10 $15 all over the inter nets. They've been installed in emergency vehicles all over the country for >20 yrs and they are quite reliable. Take the $129 $124 you save and reinvest it elsewhere.

[edit]
Like this

 

[k6cpo]

Hello all,

I'm looking for a DC outlet panel, my power supply is an Astron RS-35M. i will be connecting 2 transceivers and 1 receiver to it. I've been looking at the RigRunner line from West Mountain Radio and i think this one would be ok

RigRunner

Do any of you have experience with this model or that particular brand ? Do you have another brand to recommend ?

Many thanks

73
VA2FCS

Do you really need 12 connections? I'm using a 8 connection RigRunner in my shack to run three transcievers and two peripherals and I still have three connections available. It's always nice to have room for growth, but 12 may be overkill.

$139 for something that requires you to put powerpoles on everything?

Bussman makes fuse panels that take spade terminals and they sell for <$10 $15 all over the inter nets. They've been installed in emergency vehicles all over the country for >20 yrs and they are quite reliable. Take the $129 $124 you save and reinvest it elsewhere.

[edit]
Like this

PowerPoles are the defacto standard for amateur radio DC power distribution. They are used by ARES and the Red Cross in addition to most of the amateur radio community in general. This makes it possible to connect your radio into someone else's power (or vice-versa) quickly and without adapters. Other advantages of PowerPoles is that they're genderless and if they are assembled correctly, it's impossible to accidentally reverse the polarity of a connection.

There is nothing wrong with the Bussman panels. I used one in a recent go-kit power box mostly because I had it on hand. I used it to distribute DC to the various components in the power box, such as a USB socket, a lighter socket and my output sockets. The main power output from the box to the radio was still done with PowerPoles (4.)

 

[Cognomen]

Love my RIGrunners. I use a 4010S, a 4012, and an 8012. I keep a Wordpad document that tells me which radio is attached to which power port and which antenna, or which port on the multicoupler.

 

[jazzboypro]

Do you really need 12 connections? I'm using a 8 connection RigRunner in my shack to run three transcievers and two peripherals and I still have three connections available. It's always nice to have room for growth, but 12 may be overkill.



PowerPoles are the defacto standard for amateur radio DC power distribution. They are used by ARES and the Red Cross in addition to most of the amateur radio community in general. This makes it possible to connect your radio into someone else's power (or vice-versa) quickly and without adapters. Other advantages of PowerPoles is that they're genderless and if they are assembled correctly, it's impossible to accidentally reverse the polarity of a connection.

There is nothing wrong with the Bussman panels. I used one in a recent go-kit power box mostly because I had it on hand. I used it to distribute DC to the various components in the power box, such as a USB socket, a lighter socket and my output sockets. The main power output from the box to the radio was still done with PowerPoles (4.)

I don't need 12 connections, 6-8 would suffice. I've reading the reviews on ehams about the RigRunner. The only complaint is about the connector that does not latch/lock once inserted in the RigRunner and that they easily get disconnected.

 

[mmckenna]

Save your money.

https://www.amazon.com/Systems-Circuit-Blade-Block-Negative/dp/B00JWZ9LB8/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=ato+fuse+block+blue+sea&qid=1624817591&sr=8-18

These work well, and you don't need to invest in Power Pole connectors and crimpers. I've used similar fuse blocks on a lot of mobile installs and they work very well. No issues with connectors coming loose. Simple, easy to install, easy to use. No need to invest $200 in the RigRunner, power poles, and crimpers to make it all work, on the off chance the Red Cross is going to show up at your door and need to borrow your radio to save the world.

If you want to impress your friends, and have an actual useful setup, take a look at some of the Newmar DC distribution panels. Rack mount and individual circuit breakers. Usually the rails will handle up to 250 amps, so lots of room to grow. Get individual circuit breakers based on your need.

As for Anderson Power Poles, you'll see them used in some high current DC applications where frequent plugging/unplugging is required. In the two way radio industry, they only place I've seen them commonly used is the DC connection on the back of Motorola repeaters. You won't see Power Poles used in any other applications where reliability is necessary. The amateur radio fascination with them seems to be just with hams. Clever marketing is all it is, along with bragging rights from the ham community.

 

[k6cpo]

I don't need 12 connections, 6-8 would suffice. I've reading the reviews on ehams about the RigRunner. The only complaint is about the connector that does not latch/lock once inserted in the RigRunner and that they easily get disconnected.

In all the use I've made of PowerPoles, I've only had one situation where one of them came apart when it wasn't supposed to. That was in my vehicle and I solved the issue by running a small cable tie through the two holes and it's never come apart since. I use them to power my shack through a RigRunner, in several go-kits I've built, and to power auxiliary accessories in my vehicle and I've never experienced them disconnecting at inopportune moments (except for the one time mentioned above.) They mate fairly firmly and as long as someone isn't jerking on the power leads they hold fine. I'm very happy with them.

If you're concerned about them coming apart, you can buy retention clips at places like Powerwerx or Amazon.

 

[AK9R]

While I recognize that the Blue Sea fused distribution blocks are reliable and economical, the issue I have with them is the #8 screws on the terminals. Finding #8 ring terminals sized for 12 or 10 gauge wire is challenging. Not impossible, but challenging. I think I got the last ones I bought from Waytek Wire.

Slightly less reliable are the fused distribution blocks that use spade terminals. When new, female spade terminals grip pretty well.

That said, the prices that West Mountain Radio gets for their fused PowerPole distribution blocks is crazy. I tried to cheap out once and bought one from the Might Fine Junk people. I happened to open up the case and noticed that there were solder bridges across the fuse terminals.

 

[N4GIX]

I see absolutely no need for the fuses in the RigRunner since every piece of gear I own already is fused. I buy the 4/8/12 PowerPole distribution blocks such as:
8 Position Power Distribution Block for 15/30/45A Powerpole Connectors | Powerwerx

 

[AK9R]

I see every need for the fuses in the RigRunner.

Where are the fuses or circuit breakers in your house's electrical system? They are at the fuse or breaker panel which is the source of all commercial power in your house. Yes, some end devices have fuses, but they are not very common anymore because the fuses or breakers at the main distribution panel protect the house wiring which is what is required to prevent damage do to short circuits in the wiring.

What is a fuse at your radio going to accomplish? It won't blow fast enough to protect the radio if something shorts out in the radio. And, if there's a short in the radio, it's going to require service anyway. But, you should provide protection for the wiring between your power supply and the radio and the best place to do that is at the power supply. A fuse near the radio will not blow if there's a short in the power cable. A fuse at the power supply will blow if there's a short in the cable.

The best approach, in my opinion, is to use a fused distribution panel at the power supply and then run cables directly to the loads with no intermediate fuses. They aren't necessary and only contribute to voltage loss due to resistance in the fuse terminals or fuse itself.

 

[N4GIX]

What is a fuse at your radio going to accomplish? It won't blow fast enough to protect the radio if something shorts out in the radio. And, if there's a short in the radio, it's going to require service anyway. But, you should provide protection for the wiring between your power supply and the radio and the best place to do that is at the power supply. A fuse near the radio will not blow if there's a short in the power cable. A fuse at the power supply will blow if there's a short in the cable.

The power cables supplied already have properly sized fuses close to the battery or fixed power source. I'm not speaking of fuses in the equipment itself.

 

[k6cpo]

I see every need for the fuses in the RigRunner.

Where are the fuses or circuit breakers in your house's electrical system? They are at the fuse or breaker panel which is the source of all commercial power in your house. Yes, some end devices have fuses, but they are not very common anymore because the fuses or breakers at the main distribution panel protect the house wiring which is what is required to prevent damage do to short circuits in the wiring.

What is a fuse at your radio going to accomplish? It won't blow fast enough to protect the radio if something shorts out in the radio. And, if there's a short in the radio, it's going to require service anyway. But, you should provide protection for the wiring between your power supply and the radio and the best place to do that is at the power supply. A fuse near the radio will not blow if there's a short in the power cable. A fuse at the power supply will blow if there's a short in the cable.

The best approach, in my opinion, is to use a fused distribution panel at the power supply and then run cables directly to the loads with no intermediate fuses. They aren't necessary and only contribute to voltage loss due to resistance in the fuse terminals or fuse itself.

The fuses are already there, both in the RigRunner and in the power cord furnished with the radio. Why not use them? The voltage losses are negligible and the radio already has a voltage tolerance anyway.

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

The fuses are already there, both in the RigRunner and in the power cord furnished with the radio. Why not use them? The voltage losses are negligible and the radio already has a voltage tolerance anyway.

One more thing to check if something is wrong.

 

[fineshot1]

The Newmar DC distribution panels are more geared for the commercial market and range
from the hundreds of dollars up to about $1300 depending on where you purchase them.
I would stay with the bussman or the anderson power pole distribution panels or even the
Blue Sea brand. The only thing I do not like about the anderson power poles is that there is
actually a slight voltage drop with them(about 1 to 1.5 volt) I tested the anderson power poles
extensively after i noticed the voltage drop to confirm what i suspected was true.

 

[k6cpo]

One more thing to check if something is wrong.

Wow! It takes all of two seconds...

 

[KN4EHX]

The rig runner stuff is excellent. I have both the name brand and a generic knock off I bought on eBay. I’ve not had any issues with either one. Both are fused at each connector. I think both support 8 inputs.

I’d not hesitate buying another Windcamp AP-8 instead of a Rig Runner. $50 ish range. Does everything the RR does and just as well.

Also buy your Anderson Pawrrr Poes (I’m from the South could you tell?) off eBay or Amazon. You’ll save a lot of money.

Have your cake and eat it too or shell out the bones for a legit RR.

 

[iMONITOR]

12Way 12/32V Auto Car Power Distribution Blade Fuse Holder Box Block Panel Board

12Way 12/32V Auto Car Power Distribution Blade Fuse Holder Box Block Panel Board 51712678391 | eBay

<li> Features: Size: 12-way screw nut terminal Brand: Vetomile Color: Black Model: 12-Way Fuse Box Product number:CS-664A2 Material: PBT and waterproof and dustproof cover, Nickel-plated copper connection terminal, PPX40 sticker Size: 138.25*85*36.5mm (As picture show) Item Net Weight: 279 g...

www.ebay.com

 

[krokus]

The only thing I do not like about the anderson power poles is that there is
actually a slight voltage drop with them(about 1 to 1.5 volt) I tested the anderson power poles
extensively after i noticed the voltage drop to confirm what i suspected was true.

How much current was involved with that drop?

 

[KN4EHX]

12Way 12/32V Auto Car Power Distribution Blade Fuse Holder Box Block Panel Board

12Way 12/32V Auto Car Power Distribution Blade Fuse Holder Box Block Panel Board 51712678391 | eBay

<li> Features: Size: 12-way screw nut terminal Brand: Vetomile Color: Black Model: 12-Way Fuse Box Product number:CS-664A2 Material: PBT and waterproof and dustproof cover, Nickel-plated copper connection terminal, PPX40 sticker Size: 138.25*85*36.5mm (As picture show) Item Net Weight: 279 g...

www.ebay.com

View attachment 105632

Inside of a house it would be hard to beat.

 

[KK2DOG]

I use a MFJ-1116 with my 35 amp Astron supply and it works fine.