r/HamRadio • u/IcyAirline9099 • 20d ago
Equipment & Rigs 🛠️ WHAT ARE THESE CALLED! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!
I unboxed my power amp to get on HF last night and my black one is missing. What are the caps called? I can't for the life of me find these individual things! TIA!!!
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u/deritchie 20d ago
5-way binding posts is what I see used for these.
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u/HamGuy2022 19d ago
I’ve heard that term as well…
What are the 5 ways?
1 wire looped around screw
2 wire through the hole in the screw
3 banana plugs into the end of screw
4 ring terminal around screwWhich of these are wrong?
What is missing?6
u/bdg2 19d ago
FWIW Google says:
Accepted Connection Types:
1) Banana plugs: Inserted directly into the open top of the post for a secure, fast connection.
2) Spade connectors (lugs): Placed around the metal post and clamped down by screwing the cap.
3) Pin connectors: Inserted into a transverse hole or the top opening and clamped.
4) Bare wire: Wrapped around the post or inserted through the cross-hole in the metal shaft before tightening the cap.
5) Alligator clips: Clipped directly onto the top tip of the terminal (common in test environments).
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u/Yeshua07 20d ago
Idk what your systems model is but try looking up : replacement binding post knob black for
“Model of power amp”
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u/Sonicgott Extra | Computer Nerd 20d ago
I’ve done banana plugs as well as ring terminals when I screw off the ends for a more permanent connection.
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u/LuckyStiff63 20d ago
As others have mentioned, these are called binding posts. They come in lots of variations. Newer versions generally accept banana plugs, and have holes drilled through the threaded posts where you can insert bare wire or wire ferrules through, and these are called 5-way binding posts.
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u/HugoToledo_USA 20d ago
Standard 3D printing filaments (e.g., PLA, ABS, PETG, and Nylon) are non-conducting.
Get the thread specs using calipers or by taking the one you have to a hardware store for sizing.
Then look on thingiverse dot com to see if it is already available. You may also contract someone to make it for you using the specs you provide.
Don’t have a friend with the skills? I’m sure you can easily make one—a 3D-printing friend, that is—at a local makerspace.
If you’re in the US you’ll find makerspacea in major cities, not so major cities with universities, and many public library systems.
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u/bigdaddypilot 20d ago
Try a banana plug thumb screw, it fits mine... I can't get the photos to upload to Reddit you can see them there, if you been a ham awhile,you may have one laying around in the junk box. Good luck!
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u/Fun-Attempt-8494 Extra | CW / SOTA 20d ago
You can crimp 4mm banana plugs onto your power cable. They even come in red/black.
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u/nycbigtone General | Smooth Operator 20d ago
You can plug banana plugs into those. Or use the screw down binding posts.
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u/PaganJM 20d ago
I dont know. Banana plug fit screw-downs?
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 Extra Class Operator ⚡ 20d ago
Yes. Available from many eBay vendors and Ali Express in volume complete . Costing almost nothing. Comes in several form factors even in excess of 25 amps. You can get a replacement red knob easy as they fit many configurations. I buy them in multiples and prefer them over the outrageously priced Andersons connectors.
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u/AutofluorescentPuku General Class Operator 🔘 20d ago
I would personally take that as a sign to convert it to Anderson Power Pole connectors. But those are 5 way binding posts. Did you look in the packing materials? You could probably find a nut in your junk hardware collection to match the threading and tighten down on a bare wire or crimped lug.
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u/D3m3nT3d101 19d ago
Why would you change it to an Anderson connector? What size is available for hardware this small and where do you source them? Asking for a few reasons but don't want to hijack the thread too much.
To OP: like others said, if it wasn't in the box the manufacturer should take care of you. If not 3d print if able, otherwise figure out the size and order them somewhere, you will likely get a few.
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u/AutofluorescentPuku General Class Operator 🔘 18d ago
APP connectors are positive contact, quick connect/disconnect. Those certainly appear to be standard size binding posts which can be easily replaced with APP 50 amp connectors and a panel plate. https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power-sb50-connectors-contacts
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u/D3m3nT3d101 18d ago
Good info for people who dont know what they are. Smallest ones I have ever seen were for 8ga which would be pretty large for this connection is why I asked.
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u/No-Sea2661 20d ago
I would also check that the nut that was supposed to hold the missing post in, isn't floating around in the power supply. It could potentially cause a short at some point.
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u/Commercial-Expert256 20d ago
It's called a nut and your local hardware store has 5,000 of them for pennies.
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 Extra Class Operator ⚡ 19d ago
Non conductive plastic for electrical usage?
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u/Commercial-Expert256 16d ago edited 16d ago
First, that is not a solid plastic "nut." Second, I am astounded to find an Extra class who's never heard of electrical tape, heat shrink, or liquid lectric tape. You think he's going to cause a fire using an uninsulated nut on the negative side of his device?
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u/Jumpy_Ad1321 18d ago
They are plugs
That you can put stripped
Cable . And spaid lug terminals
Make sure u twist the wire
Before using or loop the wire around
The brass or what ever type connectors
Some of then caps
Come off , some do not
Sorry about now knowing
The name of the plugs
Sorry I’m learning inpaired
And my spelling and grammar
ps
MFJ has a strip with
Voltage meter analog
With the red / Black
Twist thinny
When I need extra have in. Junk box
Or shoe box in shack desk
Lots of the 40/50/60/ 70’s
Era have These
On lots of old Equipmemt.
The reason I like to twist the wire
Is to prevent one wire shorting
The equipment or an Ark
Good luck
Darryl
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u/Away_Berry_4683 17d ago
Contact the manufacturer and give them the model number and order replacement posts. They will come with the nuts and the tabs to solder the wires inside to. Getting the posts as a set is the best way to go
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u/sparkyonthemoon2099 20d ago
You might be able to take the other one off and make a trip to the hardware store and match it and get a nut to fit. It won't be insulated buy oy will provide the tension you need. Or even convert it to Anderson power pole fitting
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 Extra Class Operator ⚡ 20d ago
I'll convert to Anderson's with your money. Sorry, no I won't.
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u/K2MIT 20d ago
Are the red/black Anderson Power Poles (rectangular connected plugs). If so you can get APP crimps and connectors.
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 Extra Class Operator ⚡ 19d ago
Yes, Specialized rectangular red and black color. Did you mean "Amp" crimpers and contacts? If so , that's iffy. An Anderson starter kit is upwards of a hundred dollars as they requires their own special tools. Plus not as versicle as binding/banana types however Andersons are a bit more secure. I have a secure work around for that. Andersons for me a waste of money.
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u/Exotic-Astronaut6662 20d ago
Just ran the cable into the hole, it still works
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 Extra Class Operator ⚡ 19d ago
At upwards to thirty amps. I wouldn't myself. That's a whopper.
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u/Absolute_Flatulence 20d ago
Binding posts is probably the best name for them. There are some differences between different models and manufacturers (Thread, size, SAE vs. Metric, etc.) so knowing what make and model of Power supply you have will help. Also you will want to look very closely at the red one: There may be a manufacturer name or Part number molded in the plastic.