Developed by Bryce Rumery, K1GAX Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator 12 VDC Distribution Maine ARES

It’s as clear as and It’s as clear as Red and Black 12 VDC Distribution

What Voltage is it anyway? –15.5 Max for most Radios ( %) –14.4 (2.4V per cell) Full Charged 12 volt battery –13.5 Radio Design; Auto engine running –12.2 (2.03V per cell) Ignition off –12.0 (2.0V per cell) Normal battery rated voltage –11.5 Minimum for most radios ( %) –10.5 (1.75V per cell) Battery discharged

HF Equipment HF Equipment –2 Amps Receive –20 Amps Transmit –6.5 Amps per Hour typical* VHF Mobile Rigs VHF Mobile Rigs –1 Amp Receive –10 Amps Transmit –3.3 Amps per Hour typical* *Based on 25% Transmit & 75% Receive duty cycle Amateur Radio Power Requirements

Linear Power Supplies Linear Power Supplies –Big & Heavy –Indestructible Switching Power Supplies Switching Power Supplies –Lightweight –More complex –Can generate noise DC Power Sources

–Work when AC mains fail –Require maintenance –Involve chemistry –Require charging source –Need venting 12 Volt Batteries

Automotive Type Automotive Type – They’re everywhere! – Designed for short bursts (starting) & recharge –Repeated deep cycle use will kill them Lead Acid Batteries

Deep Cycle (Marine/RV) Deep Cycle (Marine/RV) –Designed for deep discharge use. –Check water & charge state monthly. Lead Acid Batteries

Gel Cells Gel Cells –Smaller capacity –Most are spill proof –Check charge state monthly –Can be stand-by floated with isolation Lead Acid Batteries

Conclusion Conclusion –If at all possible, use an RV or Marine deep cycle battery for emergency communications use –For lower amperage requirements (such as long term HT usage), use a Gel Cell battery Lead Acid Batteries

Keep leads short. Keep leads short. Match wire gauge to anticipated peak load and fuse accordingly Match wire gauge to anticipated peak load and fuse accordingly – 8 Gauge – 60 Amps –10 Gauge – 40 Amps –12 Gauge – 25 Amps –14 Gauge – 20 Amps –16 Gauge – 10 Amps –18 Gauge – 8 Amps Red for Positive, for Negative Red for Positive, Black for Negative Red/ zip cord keep things neat! Red/Black zip cord keep things neat! Wire for 12VDC

Conclusion Conclusion –Use a wire gauge that exceeds the amperage requirement for your equipment Wire for 12VDC

Batteries can deliver 100’s of amps Batteries can deliver 100’s of amps This can melt wires and boil the acid This can melt wires and boil the acid All batteries need to be fused at the positive terminal All batteries need to be fused at the positive terminal Always cover the positive terminal Always cover the positive terminal Also fusing and covering negative terminal is a good backup Also fusing and covering negative terminal is a good backup Use automotive blade type (ATO & Mini) fuses. Use automotive blade type (ATO & Mini) fuses. Store spare fuses with battery Store spare fuses with battery Battery Fusing

Need to handle amperage Need to handle amperage Need to be polarized Need to be polarized Need to be standardized Need to be standardized Need to be inexpensive Need to be inexpensive Need to be easily attached Need to be easily attached 12VDC Connectors

Old “ARES” Connector (Molex) Advantages Advantages –Polarized, standardized, inexpensive, easily attached Disadvantages Disadvantages – handles low amperage, fast wear out time 12VDC Connectors

Old “ARES” Connector (Molex) Only handles about 8 to 10 amps Only handles about 8 to 10 amps Will not accept wire below 14 AWG Will not accept wire below 14 AWG Wears out after several connects and disconnects Wears out after several connects and disconnects –Requires frequent replacement 12VDC Connectors

Anderson 30 Amp Power Pole Anderson 30 Amp Power Pole –Advantages  Can handle amperage, polarized, standardized, inexpensive, easily attached, allows frequent conncects and disconnects (low wear) –Disadvantages  None known 12VDC Connectors

Anderson 30 Amp Power Pole Anderson 30 Amp Power Pole –ARES/RACES standard across USA. –Actually rated to 45 Amps. –Can handle 100 Amps. –Exceed your radio’s specifications. –Cost is $1.00 or less per radio or power source. –Crimped or soldered in a minute. –Gardner-Bender GS-88 crimping tool is $8.50 at Home Depot. 12VDC Connectors

Power Pole Accessories

Conclusion: The Anderson 30 Amp Power Pole is clearly a superior power connector 12VDC Connectors

Handles modern power requirements. Handles modern power requirements. Safer than binding posts. Safer than binding posts. Eases moving equipment. Eases moving equipment. Enables switch to alternate power. Enables switch to alternate power. Allows sharing of equipment and batteries. Allows sharing of equipment and batteries. Invaluable in Emergency work. Invaluable in Emergency work. Useful for Field Day and Special Events. Useful for Field Day and Special Events. RIGrunner fused distribution panel. RIGrunner fused distribution panel. Advantages of the using this 12VDC standard

Recommendation All ARES members should adopt the Anderson 30 Amp Power Pole as their standard! 12VDC Connectors

ARES/RACES Standard: ARES/RACES Standard: Vendors include: Vendors include: (under DC Power) More Information

Presented by Maine ARES