These are a couple of power distribution blocks I made using Anderson Powerpole connectors. I switched to Powerpoles as my standard 12v connector several years ago, as has our field day group. I've used these blocks for years in my truck, in my trailer, and during Field Day, and they've proven to be very useful and rugged as well as space-efficient.
A particularly nice feature of Powerpole connectors which makes these distribution blocks practical is that they are sexless, making no distinction between power sources and power sinks. By capitalizing on this feature, you can plug any combination of sources and sinks into these blocks. For instance, you could plug a solar panel and a battery in parallel with a radio and light, allowing the panel to charge the battery when the load is low, or to run the radio off of the battery when transmitting or when the sun goes down.
The connectors are wired together using bare solid copper 12ga wire. Short pieces are crimped and soldered into the Powerpole pins, and then soldered to two parallel bare wires, forming a bus on the underside. A gap of 1/16-inch or so is left between the connector housings to keep adjacent plugs from running into each other. The entire assembly is then potted in epoxy or casting resin in a small plastic display box available at Tap Plastic stores.
Note that I'm using the OCRACES standard polarity layout, it appears to have the most widespread support. For a fancier ready-made distribution system, use the West Mountain Radio link below and check out their Rigrunner line of products.
Places to buy Powerpole connectors and/or equipment
Anderson Power ProductsHams and organizations using Powerpole connectors
OCRACES
