PowerPole® Fuser-6 Fused Connector Box
Video: Fuser 6 Fused PowerPole DC Distribution Unit
The lightest PowerPole® distribution box by far
The SOTABEAMS PowerPole® Fuser-6 makes light work of connecting five accessories to your power source (it has one input and 5 outputs). All the connectors are individually fused. In a typical shack you might have a 100 Watt HF radio, a 50 watt 2m FM radio, an antenna tuner and a QRP rig all connected to your Fuser-6 - and still have a spare connector!
The Fuser-6 is supplied with 3 x 25 Amp and 3 x 5 Amp fuses. Standard automotive blade fuses make replacement easy - these are widely available with values from 1 to 30 Amps. The Fuser-6 incorporates a polarity warning system; lights GREEN for GOOD and RED for REVERSE. This is handy when you have a battery connected to the system to help avoid damage to your equipment if you accidentally get the battery connections wrong (just make sure you connect the battery to the Fuser-6 before connecting any of the equipment - it is only an indicator, not a shut-off!).
Naturally we have designed the Fuser-6 to be light and rugged too. The Fuser-6; at home in the shack or in the field; it's perfect for DX-pedition use. It's already proving popular with Emcoms and RAYNET users. The Fuser-6 is easy to mount at home, just drill and screw through the rear of the box.
The Fuser-6 internal circuitry is rated at 25 Amps (30 Amp surge); no mean feat for a PCB design. To achieve this, we use a PCB with ultrawide copper tracks on both sides of the board, double the normal thickness of copper (most PCBs use 1oz / ft2, the Fuser-6 uses 2oz / ft2), and plated through vias carefully located to ensure an even current distribution between each face of the board.
This is a unit built to a high specification! Of course the Fuser-6 uses genuine Anderson PCB contacts too for lower contact resistance and improved reliability.
The tracks on the bottom of the board are left bare (no solder mask) - this makes it easy for you to solder wires to them, to add extra connectors or extra functionality.
The Fuser-6 is available in three forms.
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The board kit is great for people making a Go-box and wanting to mount the Fuser-6 as part of their project.
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The board kit plus enclosure is a nice one-evening project that is suitable for constructors of all ages and abilities.
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And, of course the Fuser-6 is available built and tested too!
For best results make sure that you use a soldering iron of at least 50 Watts. Additional flux is also helpful to ensure a good result.
What's included?
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The Board kit consists of:
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1 x PCB (2oz copper thickness)
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12 x PowerPole® PCB contacts,
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6 x red PowerPole® connector shells,
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6 x black PowerPole® connector shells,
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12 x 30 Amp fuse holder contacts (2 contacts per fuse),
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6 x fuses (3 x 25 A, 3 x 5 A)
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1 x Polarity indicator (LED and resistor)
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Estimated assembly time 40 minutes
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The Board kit + enclosure kit adds:
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ABS box,
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laser-cut and engraved transparent acrylic front panel and;
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board mounting hardware.
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Estimated assembly time (full product) 1 hour 10 minutes
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Alternatively you can buy the Fuser-6 ready-built and tested.
Note that for best results make sure that you use a soldering iron of at least 50 Watts. Additional flux is also helpful to ensure a good result.
Specifications:
25 Amps continuous, 30 Amps surge (adjacent connectors)
1 input, 5 outputs
Power Bus resistance typically less than 1.8 milli Ohms end to end
Weight 135 g (less than 5 oz.)
W 68 x L 130 x H 40 mm (Height excludes connectors) 2.75 x 5 x 1.6 inches
Spare Fuses:
Spare fuses are good to have. We sell a range of automotive blade fuses. Don't leave it until you have blown a fuse - get some in stock.
Also available from our international agent(s):
PowerPole® is a registered trademark of Anderson Power Products, Inc.
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40 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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superb product
Very well made product very useful for base and portable
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One is not enough!
Having bought one of these kits some while ago to use for portable operation, a shack reorganisation prompted me to order another one as a permanent way of supplying DC to all of the 'static' rigs and bits and pieces found in a typical station. Easily put together, in my view they are an essential element in any setup. Great product!
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Excellent kit - prepared to become addicted to PowerPoles
I found this kit easy to assemble and the instructions excellent. The finished product looks very smart and I particularly like the laser etched labels on the front panel. As with some other reviews below I also echo the advice that you need a high powered soldering iron. I used an 50W Antec soldering station and it was only just up to the task. I bought this kit along with a "Connectors Shack Pack", and quickly got PowerPole fever. This basically involved my running about adding PowerPole connectors to everything I could get my hands on (within reason). The connections plug in with a satisfying clunk and feel very secure, so I want them on everything.
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Fuser - 6
A very useful accessory however, it would benefit from an "Input" pair of Power poles on the end using the right angle PCB connector pins and moulding retaining plates that are available from the importers.
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Makes connecting easy: PowerPoles, fuses, polarity LED provide protection
I bought the Fuser 6 as a kit and it is really good. Firstly, the kit was easy to assemble and kept me busy and entertained one evening. I run my Yaesu FT-817ND with a 75AH leisure lead acid battery – plenty of scope to do some damage by misconnecting my rig. However, the polarity LED confirms that the battery terminals are connected correctly when I plug the battery lead in to the Fuser 6. Then the PowerPoles ensure that I cannot connect the FT-817ND with the wrong polarity. Finally, as the name suggests, the Fuser 6 is a six way fuse box. I know that slow blow fuses won’t protect electronics, but they will protect cables and anything that could be damaged by heat near the cables. I once worked with a guy who dropped a spanner across the terminals of a lead acid battery – he never found the spanner afterwards! So, the Fuser 6 provides important protection along with quick connecting of gear. I would just say that, if you have any lead based solder and a properly ventilated place in which to solder, you will find soldering the fuse holders easier than using lead-free solder.
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Great system
Well designed and does the job admirably. I added a couple of extra 4mm wander sockets to the box to give access for a home-brewed battery monitor. Very easy to assemble.
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Exactly what I was looking for
I've been on the hunt for something to tidy / standardise all my power leads for a while. Firstly I found PowerPoles and nearly went down a different road of connecting them till I saw this box. Ordered one straightaway and once it had quickly arrived I assembled it within 45 mins and pressed it into service. These are so useful, I purchased a second one to run off another PSU. Great design and love the clear lid. Thanks
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Great service and works a treat
Good Morning Richard and team, I ordered the Anderson power pole kit fully assembled on the 3rd July and the item arrived yesterday the 12th July. This is far better service than items ordered from China. I will be buying again from You. John VK4FJFM
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Good quality kit, excellent instructions
I bought the kit + enclosure. Everything went together really well, I was impressed with the quality of both the kit and the on-line instructions. Heed the advice that you do need a powerful (50W minimum) soldering iron, a lighter one just won't be up to the job when it comes to soldering the power and fuse connections. Peter G0TLU
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Very useful
Relatively easy to assemble. The instructions were clear and guided one away from easy mistakes. The led indicator wasn't used as my application is for astronomy and so I didn't want a green light and suspect that given the clear lid any led would be too bright. A solid black cover would have been preferred. I am considering another for use in my observatory.