Anderson SB120 to XT60

[MCtree]

I’m looking to clean up some of my wiring and need a way to use an existing SB120 Anderson plug to get power to an XT60 plug (that I will use to power my Ecoflow delta 2).

I can find SB120 to SB50 jumpers and then SB50 to XT60 wires but I don’t like the idea of that jumper. I would like to skip it and go directly SB120 to XT60.

The problem I run into is that SB120 connections that I see have a min wire gauge of 6GA while the largest XT60 wire I see is 10GA.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Is it possible to connect 6GA to 10GA in a safe manner?

(And lest anybody is worried, I won’t be pulling more than 8amps through this wire and connection so I’m not worried about blowing anything.)

 

[spressomon]

If a butt connector would work...then you want a step down style.

https://newwiremarine.com/product/step-up-butt-connector-10-12-6-8-awg/?srsltid=AfmBOooO1mrMw3v56Ig5i5T4qks_uFS33nOLgCSeQV-567_EvNb76hsk

 

[MCtree]

Oh! Thanks!

I have been googling trying to find a 10 to 6 but haven’t been able to.
I found 12 to 8 but couldn’t find 10 to 6.

This is great! Thanks.

 

[e9999]

There are also the screw strip connectors. Nice to be removable.
Or use a switch or a breaker to do the step down if that would be helpful also.
And you could put a ferrule on the 10 to help even all that out a bit.

 

[MCtree]

Could you expand on this thought?
I googled “screw strip connector” - do you mean something like this? A terminal?

I’m trying to keep it all in-line so would prefer to avoid terminals like this. In fact, what I am trying to clean up is already a terminal like this with too many wires. I’m hoping to get rid of one of the wires in my efforts.

You mention using a breaker to step down. This sounds promising. I was planning on putting an in-line fuse into the new assembly but all the fuses I find have only one gauge of wire into and out of them.

 

[MCtree]

And you could put a ferrule on the 10 to help even all that out a bit.

Man… I hate to ask this since I already asked about your first two suggestions, but how could I used a ferrule to help?

Like put one onto the 10GA wire and then what?

Sorry for my ignorance.

 

[e9999]

not like that, bigger, chunkier, and with holes where the wire is squeezed instead of a top screw like in that pic. Think breakers.
Google Electrical wire splicer/reducer or something like that, HomeDepot has some big inline ones IIRC.

A ferrule would increase the effective diameter of the wire and keep it together and so make it easier to deal with the smaller wire in a bigger connector.

added: just looked it up. HD has some 14 - 2 AWG ones. $10 for 2. Free delivery. Even in stock in my local store. You'd want to insulate them, though.

 

[MCtree]

Ah. Okay. Thanks!

 

[dogdaysindurham]

@e9999 is right. I have used this before and slide on some adhesive heatshrink over the top.

Commercial Electric 14-2 AWG Aluminum Dual Rated Splicer/Reducer (2-Pack) G61101HD - The Home Depot

The Aluminum Dual Rated Splicer/Reducer are used for splicing a conductor or reducing a conductor. This splicer/reducer is dual rated for the use with copper and aluminum conductors. This splicer/reducer

www.homedepot.com

 

[e9999]

^ Yes, that's the one I saw. But OP, since you'll likely need 2 of those, if you want this to look tidier you can get essentially multiple of those connectors in a block plastic housing. May look better and be safer. Surely quite a bit costlier, though.

I have my quarrels with HD and often they are significantly more expensive than online per item, BUT their free delivery on even very inexpensive items is astonishing. And very fast. I have bought small stuff which cost less delivered than the cost of gas to go to the store to buy one -that I'd then have to pay for-, and got them delivered same day or the next...

 

[MCtree]

@e9999 is right. I have used this before and slide on some adhesive heatshrink over the top.

Commercial Electric 14-2 AWG Aluminum Dual Rated Splicer/Reducer (2-Pack) G61101HD - The Home Depot

The Aluminum Dual Rated Splicer/Reducer are used for splicing a conductor or reducing a conductor. This splicer/reducer is dual rated for the use with copper and aluminum conductors. This splicer/reducer

www.homedepot.com

View attachment 3980650

Ah! I’ve seen these, but wasn’t sure if they were for splicing different sized wires (vs the same size on each end).

Would you loctite the screws to keep them in place under the heatshrink?

 

[MCtree]

^ Yes, that's the one I saw. But OP, since you'll likely need 2 of those, if you want this to look tidier you can get essentially multiple of those connectors in a block plastic housing. May look better and be safer. Surely quite a bit costlier, though.

I have my quarrels with HD and often they are significantly more expensive than online per item, BUT their free delivery on even very inexpensive items is astonishing. And very fast. I have bought small stuff which cost less delivered than the cost of gas to go to the store to buy one -that I'd then have to pay for-, and got them delivered same day or the next...

I’m good with paying more (within some limits) for tidier. After all, this isn’t an essential project - just something I want to do to clean up the wiring a bit.

Are you talking about this sort of thing?

Because I’m not sure if this is tidier for my use.
It would add a kink to the line that the in-line ones that @dogdaysindurham suggested would not. Or are you thinking of something else?

 

[dogdaysindurham]

Ah! I’ve seen these, but wasn’t sure if they were for splicing different sized wires (vs the same size on each end).

Would you loctite the screws to keep them in place under the heatshrink?

By adjusting the screw it will jammed the smaller wire pretty securely. I can’t recall if I use loctite on my installation but that connection has never given me issues. I used a pair to splice into my 12v puma air compressor power harness to use heavier duty jumper cables, maybe 10-12 years ago.

You maybe able to find someone that makes a SB150 to XT60: XT60 to SB120 Adapter Cable - https://andymark.com/products/xt60-to-sb120-adapter-cable

If I recall for a lot of the Anderson connectors you can get a reducing ferrule I believe to clamp smaller awg wire but you need the crimp tool. So unless you like picking up tools Anderson Power Products Powerpole Reducing Bushings - https://powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpole-reducing-bushings?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22365243086&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8Bvws7LzQ0xj4PMn9tYholDSi48jYJu5Dc4I8dD3tMBJI_T739Vw_XoaAhuCEALw_wcB

 

[MCtree]

By adjusting the screw it will jammed the smaller wire pretty securely. I can’t recall if I use loctite on my installation but that connection has never given me issues. I used a pair to splice into my 12v puma air compressor power harness to use heavier duty jumper cables, maybe 10-12 years ago.

You maybe able to find someone that makes a SB150 to XT60: XT60 to SB120 Adapter Cable - https://andymark.com/products/xt60-to-sb120-adapter-cable

If I recall for a lot of the Anderson connectors you can get a reducing ferrule I believe to clamp smaller awg wire but you need the crimp tool. So unless you like picking up tools Anderson Power Products Powerpole Reducing Bushings - https://powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpole-reducing-bushings?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22365243086&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8Bvws7LzQ0xj4PMn9tYholDSi48jYJu5Dc4I8dD3tMBJI_T739Vw_XoaAhuCEALw_wcB

Yeah, I had found that one Anderson to XT60 by Andymark. It doesn’t have the inline fuse I want. But moreover, I’m somewhat leery of putting something into my LC like that by a company that I know nothing about. I’d rather make something myself.
But it is tempting.

And, oh, wow! I missed that Powerwerx sells a reducing ferrule like that.
But you are right that those require a crimper beyond the ones I have and they aren’t cheap.
Too bad their web site won’t allow me to use those reducing ferrules in any of the custom wire assemblies they sell.
Maybe I’ll call them next week to see if I can talk them into doing it for me.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

I have had only great customer service experiences with Powerwerx and likely they could make a custom piece you need.

In terms of fusing, what is you SB120 currently fused to? I also have an Ecoflow battery (Delta 2). I have their branded “alternator” charger but haven’t installed it yet. I can’t remember if the XT connector input on the ecoflow is fused?

 

[MCtree]

I have had only great customer service experiences with Powerwerx and likely they could make a custom piece you need.

In terms of fusing, what is you SB120 currently fused to? I also have an Ecoflow battery (Delta 2). I have their branded “alternator” charger but haven’t installed it yet. I can’t remember if the XT connector input on the ecoflow is fused?

Good to hear about Powerwerx. I’ve never had a reason to complain about anything I’ve received from them but have never needed to call the for anything off menu. I’ll call them on Tuesday.

As for my setup.
This is the diagram of my current setup:

I didn’t put it in the diagram but I also have a female cigarette plug coming off of that bus bar. When I’m in no rush to charge my ecoflow (like I have a full day of driving), I use the normal ecoflow car charger with the male cigarette end to charge the ecoflow.
Does that answer your question?

Now that the ecoflow branded car charger has been lowered to a sane price, I contemplate getting one, but I’m not there just yet.
I’m not sure where I would mount it.

 

[e9999]

no, was not thinking about those (post 12). Picture a block like a cube, 2 wires coming in the left side holes, 2 coming out of the right, 4 screws on top to squeeze each of the wires.

I've never loctited these kind of connectors. Never had one come loose. But I always use ferrules. Without them, that would be iffier, I think.

So, you want to get rid of your Victron?