Ham radio and 3D printing - Power Poles distribution block with USB charger

[@Bill-HRT]

You are one of the first guys I started watching when I became an internet-aware ham. You most certainly inspire me, and I am glad you are back at it. Stay well. See you out there. 73 de Bill

[@loughkb]

Thanks for watching Bill!

[@mr.makeit4037]

First time viewer here. Yes this is the future of small manufacturing to meet our personal needs for sure. Now is the time to learn new skills and hone old ones.

[@jameski5oeb668]

That is a great idea. Three months ago I started replacing all connectors with Power Poles. Recently, I put together the Ham Radio Workbench distribution block from digikey. Similar idea but fusing at each Power Pole. I’m not knocking this design, it is the way I would have done it. Thanks again for the video!

[@pat3034]

This is cool, I mean really cool. There's so many clever ideas in this build but the divider/stop is genius... thanks for sharing!

[@JohnBr1234]

Kevin, Thank you for another great project! 73 I have needed to come up with a power pole distribution block for my shack and could not really pay the asking prices for the ready made ones either. Thanks for this video and posting the file on Thingiverse.

[@Hank_W6IR]

Nice Kevin. You're looking a whole lot better than you have in the recent past. Thanks for the design.

[@dennisjoiner3717]

As usual, yet another great video. By the way your looking much stronger, and more like your old self!

[@loughkb]

Thanks Dennis. I'm about 50%. But slowly getting better month to month.

[@ouijim]

Seems you got perfect power distribution for you , really functional. I switched to Anderson power poles few years ago and have them on just about everything in the shack and portable setup. Thank you for sharing, great video.

[@Eli1566]

I inherited a Rigrunner power distribution panel from another ham. They are very nice, but I think if I need another one I would go this route.

[@deankq4adj125]

Really a great design and concept. I enjoy your videos and Enginuity.

[@BonesMedic642]

Definitely interested in the non-usb charger version! I also can't bring myself to spend that much for the commercial unit and was looking for a good printable alternative. Thanks!

[@loughkb]

Check the thingiverse page in a few days. There will be an extra model file added without the USB.

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Nice idea! I did something similar with one of those Chinese DC PD blocks but modified it so there's a blade fuse for each port as well as a main fuse for the block. I also fixed the bad LED layout that the manufacturer had included but didn't bother to populate with LEDs and resistors. Now an LED pops on underneath each blade fuse when the fuse blows as long as power is still being applied to the board through the main fuse. I like yours better though, it's simpler and DIY. I might suggest, though, that you put a switch in line with the USB ports so you can turn them off whenever you see RFI.

[@ohmbug10]

Cool project, Kevin.

[@kurtzFPV]

That looks nice and thanks for putting up the files. I might use this for xt-60s. I've got all my radios wired with them since I started flying fpv drones before I started radio.

[@hectorpascal]

Yep, I don't do drones or RC planes, but I DO prefer XT90/60 plugs and sockets for my ham use. Shouldn't be too difficult to remix Kevin's ideas for those plugs.

[@threadripper979]

Damn fine work, Kevin.

[@48661]

Very cool as always and looks great, 73

I just bought one of those $15 boat fuse boxes that has 12 separate car fuse sockets and screw terminals.. I think it is rated for 60 amps at 14v total on the bus bars and I just put all my power cables to it with the appropriate fuses for the devices attached to each terminal..

[@Kirk-Monteux-Production]

Looking good Kevin. Thank you for this build. I'd be interested in a version without the charger, perhaps with a couple more ports. 73 Kirk DO3KI

[@loughkb]

Check the thingiverse page in a few days. I don't know about extra ports, but I'll be posting a version without the USB section.

[@vicmiller7191]

That looks so much better. Job well done. And I may be building this. I did print two power pole shells and really like them. Thanks and 73. Vic de KE8JWE

[@kgrafton4582]

Great job Kevin!

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

You must have just uploaded the files. ThV goes through an approval process I think. Printables seems to not do this. Thanks for sharing! I will check back there in a day. Amazon will take two days to get me the parts anyway.

[@loughkb]

No I had to fix the video description. For some reason when I pasted the Link it dropped off the last number which was a four. The link is fixed now.

[@davidsparkes2800]

Great video! I would like to see a version without the USB ports- thank you!!

[@loughkb]

If you go to the page linked in the video description you'll see that I already created a version without the USB.

[@astrorad2000]

You do wonderful work Kevin and thank you for sharing with the world. 73 de WB9NYI

[@Dusty_Ham]

This is amazing, thank you very much for sharing!

[@n0vty873]

Very nice!

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

Nice video, thanks!! I hope you are feeling better. Robert K5TPC

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks for your help good idea

[@leroymay8156]

Allways keep in mind that 3D-print material is typically not flame retardent. So be careful with certain applications and be aware of the rist of fire. Nethertheless 3D-printing is a great addition to every toolbox. Can't live without my bambu anymore. 73

[@petergamache5368]

You can find UL listed, 94V-0 rated filament, but I wouldn't trust sites like Amazon to provide authentic stuff. McMaster has it for around $80 for a 750g spool.

[@TheRetiredtech]

Kevin have you thought of making your cad files available, that is one of the best ways to learn. I am having a heck of a time using free cad for a pretty simple part. Thanks for all you do and I hoope your next move south goes smothly. If you need to change vehicles you might want to check with some of the charitys down there. My brother in law and his partner got a great deal on a trailer. I lost a 95 Jayco 25 foot Class C leaving in it in Flordia over covid. Developed a small leak but over time it totally ruined it.

[@loughkb]

I might make the CAD files available on thingiversal along with the STLs in some cases. Although that would not apply to this video as this power poles distribution block was made in tinkercad which is an online service. Make sure you're using a recent version of free CAD it's much better than the old 0.21 stable release. Their page has a link for the 1.0 release candidate which is what I'm using now. Also find the KZbin channel Mango jelly, if you search for that and free CAD you'll find it. He has some of the best tutorials and a couple of playlists of beginner series that take you from zero to hero.

[@moosebonsai]

Brilliant!

[@hectorpascal]

Really nice job, Kevin. But I can't help thinking most of the residual hash will be direct radiation from the wiring and THRU the plastic box. Radiation from input to output across the filter boards will make up most of the remaining hash, I guess. IMHO you can't beat a diecast Al box for your requirement - even though it's considerably more work.

[@loughkb]

Some of it, sure. Also any USB device that's plugged in, the USB cable becomes a radiator. You have to wrap everything around ferrites to make it quiet. There are four screws on the back of the USB charger, I might open it up someday and see if I can add bypass capacitors directly to the device.

[@JAMES-KB7TBT]

Very nice.

[@VK2YK]

Kevin, great work as usual with the 3D printing. I make so much stuff for antenna building and other shack stuff with my 3D printer. It would be great if you could do a anderson PP only model of the power distro unit you have made in CAD. Cheers, Adam VK2YK & VK5GA

[@loughkb]

It's already done. It's there on the thingiverse page.

[@richarddaugherty8583]

Very cool, and I also love the Powerpole shell covers and 'not-in-use' dust covers. Did you design those too or find them on Thingiverse?

[@loughkb]

They're my designs. All on my thingiverse page.

[@richarddaugherty8583]

@@loughkb Thanks! This is a very cool project. I'm going to share this video with my local ham club!

[@ronleblanc9832]

Really nice setup i likr it

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Nice project.... Where are you off to next? Thanks, Michael

[@loughkb]

Well, hoping to go south to the winter spot north of Yuma in a month or two.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

@loughkb Safe travels. I'm glad to see your energy restored and productive again. Take care

[@loughkb]

Well getting there. I'm about 50%. I get about 3 hours in the morning where I feel almost normal, but all afternoon I'm completely wiped out and can only lay around and wait for the next day. Still got a ways to go.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

So sorry that you were hit so hard by COVID. Keep improving my friend, we need your creative mind!​@loughkb

[@piquat1]

If you want to go the extra mile, TPU makes excellent wire exit grommets/strain relief.

[@loughkb]

Actually, I just did my first ever TPU prints last night. Neat stuff.

[@piquat1]

@@loughkb There are some videos here of people testing it for small engine gaskets. It won't make an exhaust gasket, lol, but it surprising the heat and fuel it will tolerate.

[@davidsheedy5793]

good video, what type of printer would you reccomend for a first time user?

[@loughkb]

Bambu labs, Anycubic, or Prusa. They're more like appliances, less fiddling required.

[@lysippus]

nice project, everything i print is very brittle, maybe the heat setting? PLA too old?

[@loughkb]

Or too damp... Did you store it in bags with desiccant?

[@lysippus]

@@loughkb i hate to say it, but i bought 5lbs of desiccant a year or so ago but havent done anything with it! the hold up being what kind of airtight container to use. i was thinking even a trash bag, those filament storage boxes are xpensive. i hope I can save the filament I have

[@loughkb]

@@lysippus I use big Ziploc bags with packets of desiccant in with the filament.

[@lysippus]

@@loughkb Thanks I'll try that. I thought I'd need something completely airtight and would be more complicated than that! ETA I do live in a very humid area, Ill try the bags anyway

[@anthonymarino4260]

well. done

[@barntt]

West Mountain Radio....👍 Pricey YES... But they got the research done so it can be homebuilt

[@loughkb]

Well, not really. I already had in mind exactly what I wanted before I started looking to see if it was available commercially. I think I mentioned that. But they do make a very nice product as I pointed out as well.

[@hpklw1]

Great stuff here Kevin as usual. Thanks for posting. Question, what's a good first printer that is bullet proof reliable, and doesn't cost a fortune? WA5KW

[@loughkb]

I can't comment from personal experience on the current crop, only from what I have heard from other 3D printing channels. Bamboo labs is really good. But in the more affordable class, Anycubic makes solid printers. Whichever you end up looking at, definitely go out and look for review videos to find out what people are saying about them. My Anycubic I3 mega has been rock solid reliable. Very well built with a solid steel frame and very stable. But I can't comment on their current printers.

[@protektwar]

what type of filament are you using, PETG?

[@loughkb]

No just regular old PLA. I have structural parts I've printed 6 years ago that are still holding up fine. I even have a little block that one corner of my license plate is mounted to that's PLA. It's been out in the elements and the Arizona Sun for 6 years and it's still solid.

[@harmtuntler8555]

Yes interesting Kevin could work in my motor home too 73

[@Steven_VE9SY]

I gotta get my dam printer working.

[@loughkb]

What's wrong with it? What kind is it?

[@Steven_VE9SY]

@@loughkb It's an original Ender 3 that has spend the last 4 years in a storage unit. It was giving me some issues when we moved, so I stuck it there until I had some time. Brought it home about a month ago. I need to tear it apart and basically set it up again. Realign everything basically. I'd like to update the motherboard so I can add a bed tester to it. I did update the original board to the model with the quiet stepper motor drivers. But Some of the upgrades I want to do might be easier to get a new one!

[@loughkb]

That Ender 3 is one favorite of the modders. Good printer if you like to fiddle with them. My any cubic I3 mega has been just flat reliable. It's traveled in this RV for 5 years and all I've had to do is level the bed three times. I only just recently cleaned and lubricated the rods. But it's going to a new home.

[@daveb7397]

Enders are great printers but mine always required tinkering to keep them printing right. You'll get it. Kevin, what are you replacing it with?

[@Steven_VE9SY]

@@daveb7397 Mine was running great. yes it dud need regular tinkering. Last time I used it i kept getting nozzle clogs. It would clog half way through a print. So I'm going to strip it down and go from the ground up. Then I'll start tinkering.

[@JohnTarbox]

I really like your 3D-printed design! You certainly tied a blue ribbon around this project. DE WA1KLI