ARCHIVE Wits' End Anderson SB50 PowerPole Custom Mounts

[NLXTACY]

Hopefully this doesn't come here to die a quick death since its out of the 80's section but figured I should place it where this belongs. After making up a few kits for local mudders I've decided to start making more complete kits for those that are interested. This particular project came about because I had to fabricate a quick mount for an Anderson SB50 quick disconnect for an ARB fridge. I HATE cigarette lighter adapters. They suck, all of them. So Anderson to the rescue but there were no good mounts on the market that did what I needed it to especially for the 80 Series and for rear drawer setups.

What I wanted to show first was the four options of mounts. One is flat mount and the other is flushmount. Both of these will be available with a straight tie down or with a 90º tie down. So what you think. I am getting protos made up in the next day or so and could really use some feedback before I go to far. I'm also making up some wiring kits but I still have a few details to work through.

Here is the SolidWorks screencaps of what I'm making (these will be laser cut and CNC bent out of stainless steel and powder coated black):

 

[woytovich]

Nice product... pricing will make all the difference...

 

[NLXTACY]

Nice product... pricing will make all the difference...

I'm doing four different brackets. Those won't be very much money. The entire wiring kit? No idea, depends what I end up with.

 

[woytovich]

I look forward to seeing more... what Andersen connectors are you spec'ing for this?

 

[OGBeno]

Nice work Joey.



I would be interested in a set considering I move my fridge from truck to truck and from 12V to 24V applications.

 

[NLXTACY]

I look forward to seeing more... what Andersen connectors are you spec'ing for this?

SB50s since they are rated to 50A

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Looks nice, and trying to think of a use. Maybe for the SB50 Puma compressor? I have one of these to mount from LCPhil and it came with Anderson SB50s.

Any other specific uses?

Any plans for a SB175 mount? I use these for external power power outlets and winch disconnects.

SB50s seem like way over kill for fridge wiring. I've used the PP15/30/45 for years with my fridge and even that is way overkill. Even the biggest fridges draw only 5 amps when running.

And to correct a common misconception about SB power poles. The 50 amp rating is for "hot plugging" meaning the load is live and drawing power when plugged in. The SB50s are actually rated for 120 amps of continuous current.

http://www.andersonpower.com/_global-assets/downloads/pdf/ds-sb50.pdf

 

[NLXTACY]

@Cruiserdrew I, and many, tend to use the SB50s more for the size than anything else. The rating covers pretty much anything thrown at it. Making them for the 175 would be easy as well. There is a company in the UK that makes one that is flat mount but it's not good for most applications. I couldn't settle for it so I went a different route on my jumper cable setup.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Cool. Once you get these going, if you want to make SB175 mounts (capable of 280 continuous and higher for shorter amounts of time), I'll buy a set now and be your test mule when they come in.

BTW-I should give you credit-I shamelessly stole your jumper cable idea, and made 2 sets with SB175s on my end, and battery clamps on the distal end. I added an enhancement too-made a short set of jumper cables with anderson plugs-so I can put the 2 together to lend out normal jumper cables if I'm not involved in the jumping.

Another question-what do you use for a crimper? The big Anderson housings are beastly. They crimp ok with a hammer type crimper but not as elegant as I would like.

 

[NLXTACY]

Here at the metal shop now working on making samples of each option.

 

[NLXTACY]

@Cruiserdrew steal away

I currently use the hammer crimp which honestly is fine. I may get the dies to use in a press for the future.

 

[NLXTACY]

Something else I'm thinking about: Greenlee® K09-2GL Rotating Die Head Crimper (8-4/0)

 

[Cruiserdrew]

There is this one for less:

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?12660

As referenced here:

Making Your Own Battery Cables by Compass Marine How To


I'm thinking about getting one, but it seems stupid to spend $200 to make 10 crimps.


Edit: And the Greenlee tool is $258 on Amazon

 

[woytovich]

FWIW the utility truck shop near me has made up custom battery cables for me in the past... maybe you can find a place local to you? Or maybe a tool rental place?

 

[Corbet]

Like. Build them and they will come.

 

[NLXTACY]

There is this one for less:
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?12660
As referenced here:
Making Your Own Battery Cables by Compass Marine How To
I'm thinking about getting one, but it seems stupid to spend $200 to make 10 crimps.
Edit: And the Greenlee tool is $258 on Amazon

Hmm, I may go that route. I have the crimps I do for my Battery Disconnect, for the jumper cables, for winch wiring extension. It could pay for itself pretty quickly.

 

[NLXTACY]

Like. Build them and they will come.

Thats what I'm hoping. The machine shop asked me to come in tomorrow to inspect them.

 

[NLXTACY]

First batch of prototype mounts done. 16gauge stainless. I'm making all four flavors seen here. I need to do sample mounting and testing for use cases.

 

[NLXTACY]

Easier to visualize?

 

[NLXTACY]

I finally sourced the hardware I'm going to supply with these. I found some use cases where a flat bottom mount was necessary so I am going to countersink the holes in the mounts to allow the 316 stainless flathead screws to be perfectly flush mount. Just ordered up a couple boxes.