On Sat, 22 Jun 2019 15:20:59 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Friday, 21 June 2019 13:08:40 UTC+1, T i m wrote:

As I found to my cost / surprise, some of the different colours of the
same model in the Anderson range aren't inter-connectable and that can
be used to good effect when making up connectivity solutions for the
panels and batteries etc.

Which ones are you thinking of? Powerpole?

Yes, specifically the SB(50 I've experienced) range:

"SB Series have colour-keyed housings

A unique feature of the SB Series Powerpole housings are that they are
keyed to only mate with the same colour housing. For example, a gray
SB50 housing will only mate with other gray SB50 housings. A red SB175
housing will only mate with other red SB175 housings, etc. The
exception for SB50 is the black housing, which also mates with the
SB50 gray housing. The exception for SB175 is the black housing which
is keyless and will make with all other colours. For SB350 there are
no colour mating exceptions.

The colour-keyed feature can be used to colour code different voltages
or systems and prevent accidental connection."

https://powerwerx.com/help/powerpole-connectors

I have never seen a problem with mating different colours of Powerpole,
but there are "finger safe" versions which don't mate with the traditional
ones unless you push very hard.

See above, the smaller series (PP15,30,45) are as you say, fully
interconnectable across the colour range. ;-)

There are also some clones around that may not be made to very high tolerance.

That's what I thought was the problem when I first bought some 'clone'
SB50's, until I looked closer and found the mechanical keys were very
different. ;-(

I have generally fitted the PP15-30 connectors to anything portable
and typically 12V (or lower if on an RC model etc), keeping a 'std'
orientation of the two plugs (keyed together) for the 12V stuff and
something else for the other stuff.

The dilemma I currently have is that several things seem to come with
SAE connectors (solar panels, Optimate chargers etc) and they don't
play well with the Powerpoles [1]. I have made up converters but that
means more connections and chances of getting stuff wrong so what I
have done in the past is cut the SAE connector off but left it on a
short length of cable (~100mm) then fitted PP connectors to both bits
and so giving me a 'native' PP connector, but with the option of SAE
if required.[2]

Cheers, T i m

[1] I've not found a solder_it_yourself SAE connector so that means
you have to either buy them with a length of cable attached (rarely
heavy enough) or buy an SAE extension and cut it in half to make two
converters or SAE ends etc.

[2] I sometimes cable tie the SAE PP converter cable to the end of
the charger lead itself so I can't lose it and can use it in place.
;-)