Issue with SAE connectors - reverse polarity

[@williamholmes8499]

This was actually one of the first things I noticed on my security battery charger. Thanks for the tip on using a reverse polarity connector.

[@Steff320i]

I am totally with you on this one. I marked the positive side of all my connectors with a bright red pen. Put a visible "+" (plus) on all of them.

[@silvermine2033]

Ran into this problem today. Thanks for the info!

[@clivewinters7479]

I also found this problem. Thanks for the information on the reverse connectors. Just ordered them. Very good video

[@TombOfNazerick]

Thank you very much my good sir, I couldn't work out why one of my batteries would charge and the other would not! I halved a single cable to add SAE connection to 2 12V batteries and one wouldn't charge. Reversed the polarities and all sorted. Appreciated!

[@martint1151]

It happened to me also in the past , glad you have it sorted now.

[@bobbader4789]

How does one reverse the polarity back

[@TombOfNazerick]

@@bobbader4789 reverse the cable. So if you have red to red and black to black, make it black to red and red to black.

[@rangie944]

Just want to say thanks for posting. I came across this problem today and your video sorted the issue for me, in fact first video on my youtube list.

[@jayzo]

I've become a little too obsessed with the Anderson Powerpole connectors. I gave them a go after getting sick of fixing a 6ft long XT60 extension cable that kept failing at the solder joints, and I haven't looked back. I also took my lead acid battery charger and cut the SAEs off too replacing them with PP30s, although just in case I encountered SAE again I made two adapters using the cut-off ends. The wires might not match but the housings will line up for the reverse polarity connections.

[@martint1151]

Yes there's nothing worse then having cable extensions that are unreliable especially when you need them to work but you seen to have all the options covered now.

[@chudleyflusher7132]

This is just the information I was looking for.Thank you!

[@matthewblankowski2265]

Ah I just ran in to this exact problem. Thank you for this video.

[@bikiniluvnguy1]

thank you, always learning new stuff from watching vids.

[@lucyjordan82978]

I found out this problem when I cut off the sae connector on a K2C12V4A charger by K2 Energy. I soldered on a DC plug. The Ribbed side is Negative and the smoothe side is Positive. Well I soldered the ribbed to the shield and smoothe to the center. Well guess what?!! I plugged it into the application it's made for and it crackled which means it's backwards!!! Now I do have a known good one for comparison. I used a voltage meter and checked the wires. It was reverse polarity.

[@christianjensen3182]

I did something dumb with SAE connectors. I have two deep cycle batteries for a trolling motor and i thought I was moving the charger from one battery to the other but I had the battery connector in my hand and not charger connector. As soon as the two batteries met it was 24v worth of sparks and smoke. Oops luckily it was only for a split second and nothing caught fire or exploded. I think I am going to start using Anderson style or xt90 type connectors.

[@ElementofKindness]

SAE: Great in theory. Terrible in practice Polarity protection should be paramount in any DC connector design.

[@jamesalles139]

Yes, I burned out an inverter due to this. AND I KNOW BETTER. I like to use Anderson PowerPoles.

[@ernieschatz3783]

I don't understandand why manufacturers aren't more careful with this. If some of these Chinese vendors could be sued for the damaged/destroyed equipment they cause, I bet the problem would go away quickly.

[@user-iu2dp8tn4j]

Yeah I figured that out that's kind of strange why they would do

[@dapperdingo]

These connectors are pretty scary if you do not pay close attention. Not a good design because of reverse polarity possibilities.

[@monmixer]

You have to reverse the polarity at times using after market solar panels with a product.

[@SouravAcharya9444]

oo thanks

[@twoweary]

For those of us who are comfortable working with electricity, you don’t need an adapter. Wherever your wires go back to ( say a charge controller for example) , just reverse the polarity there. Then your red is negative and the black is positive. Just be SURE TO REMARK THE WIRES WITH TAPE so you or someone else doesn’t fry your electronics down the road. I certainly can see where a novice who didn’t build their own system might prefer an adapter, and there’s nothing wrong with using an adapter.

[@mgtsmartlady]

That may be OK for one off fixed installation but when using same cables for various functions putting red tape on say negative cable could lead to grief.

[@twoweary]

@@mgtsmartlady Electricity doesn’t care about colors. If you have the adapter use it, if not just change the color of the wires. Anyone who thinks that a black taped red is a negative wire should stay away from electricity.

[@martint1151]

​@@twoweary I would kindly suggest you stay away from electricity as clearly you have no respect for electrical good practice and safety.

[@twoweary]

@@martint1151 spoken like a true NON electrician.

[@jjames5475]

What would happen if I Connected 2 Extension Cables . Would I Still Need a REVERSE POLARITY CONNECTOR TO MY SOLAR PANEL AND CHARGE CONTROLLER ... " I HAD TO HOOK UP 2 EXTENSION CABLES FROM MY SOLAR PANEL TO THE CHARGE CONTROLLER ." I KNOW YOU SAID WITH 1 EXTENTION CABLE YOU NEED A REVERSE POLARITY CONNECTOR.. BUT WHAT ABOUT 2 EXTENSION CABLES ?? Thank You Very Much For Your Help 🙏

[@martint1151]

Hi , it depends as every situation can be different, if when you connect the cables you get red to red and black to black then it's ok . But if you find one of the connections end's up with different colours opposite each other then you may need one of those reverse polarity connectors. If it's a permanent installation you could consider cutting the cable and make the correct connections. By red to red I mean positive to positive.

[@GoodStuffForeverMore]

Brilliant! Thank You 😊

[@bze06fishinbwai63]

Do you have a video of how you crimped the wire to the connector? Thanks for the Vid.

[@martint1151]

Hi , the cables came with the connectors crimped and sealed from the factory / supplier , you can get various arrangements. The reverse polarity connector fits the cable connectors. You can also get what they call SAE tails with one SAE fitted and bare cables the other end to allow you adapt to existing cables.

[@extrememiami]

@@martint1151 this is exactly what I did. I bought a 5 pack of SAE extentions cut them in half and now you have 10 adapters. Nice to know that polarity reversers exist though.

[@staffan144]

THANKS! TIP: I think you could change the title of the video from "Issue with SAE connectors - reverse polarity" To: "Issue with SAE connectors *solved* - reverse polarity" Or: "Issue with SAE extension cable connectors *solved* - reverse polarity"

[@crzyking6821]

Ive had a Schumacher trickle charger for the last 5 yrs n it wont charge anymore My problem is the SAE connection is wired to my Harley's battery as a basic plug n charge My question is are SAE connection plugs universal in length n circumference to easily replace the charger brand with another brand Sorry probably not explaining this properly But I'm having a hard time finding a replacement charger that I can just plug into the SAE i have wired directly from battery to what I'm hoping to find a possible new charging system any advice would be Greatly Appreciated Thanks to any n all that can help.

[@martint1151]

Hi, my understanding is that the SAE connectors are all of the same specification. The charger I show on the video has SAE connectors , I purchased that unit on Amazon. Just be sure the check polarity when connecting. Can you test your charger on another battery ? Just in case there is a faulty / loose connection.

[@crzyking6821]

@@martint1151 I'd like to test it on another battery but wouldn't know what to look for to be honest. I really appreciate your response and advice hope ya dont mind me asking how could I check polarity b4 buying I have to buy online also what would I be looking for. Thanks much Martin.

[@crzyking6821]

Martin i understand how to check polarity if I'm wrong Please let me know I have to make sure the power n ground match the same male n female connectors

[@crzyking6821]

I also put in a new battery the beginning of the 2021 riding season and double checked the connections b4 securing the battery in place.

[@martint1151]

Hello again , this isn't easy from a distance but perhaps if you purchased a new charger with SAE connectors and one of the reverse polarity connectors you should be able to match up the same as your existing charger. I have no experience with motorbike batteries, is there any buddies that could help out?

[@projet2907]

Thanks!!

[@sumncguy]

The real question is how to know which lead is positive / negative when the cables are all black !

[@martint1151]

Hi , I would say to check with digital volt multimeter. If incorrect polarity you would see a minus symbol before the volt reading and none when correct positive/ negative.

[@bullbutter9699]

SAE is the Best

[@mba2ceo]

Much a STUPID design