Let's void some warranties!

[Red_Beard]

Just a thought that has been rolling around in my head for quite a while, but hasn't reached critical mass: I have a Nero-5 powerhead and love it, but would love it more if I could take it from the tank to sink for cleaning. Has anyone ever modified one by cutting the cord about 2 feet or so from the powerhead and coupling it back together with something like these IP67 rated field terminable pico connectors?

I haven't done this yet and it isn't a high priority yet but it will be in a few months when I have some spare time. If no-one has yet I intend to as soon as time and funds allow(my wife recently found Dave Ramsey and has been watching my expenses like a hawk!) But if you have, how many wires are in the cable? How did it turn out? Would you recommend/do it again?

 

[P-Dub]

Why would you need to do that? The unit unplugs at the controller. I'm not seeing the advantage of doing what you want. Help me understand.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Lots of things can be spliced if done correctly but as dub said

 

[Silver14SS]

It would be great if power heads disconnected closer to the pump. My cables go through a raceway into a cabinet so it’d be significantly easier to be able to disconnect at the tank.

 

[Dave Cureton]

Best title ever!

 

[TheHarold]

I always thought it was silly that Vortechs don’t have a connection.... the pump is connected to the driver. Though I guess the dry side doesn’t need to be disconnected. But it makes an unpleasant install experience when using grommets (you have to unscrew the driver and disconnect the pump).

 

[Red_Beard]

Why would you need to do that? The unit unplugs at the controller. I'm not seeing the advantage of doing what you want. Help me understand.

As @Silver14SS said once you get eveything dressed in nicely its kinda sad to have to tear it out all the way back to the controller and fish it all back out again to get it somewhere easier to scrub down.

 

[P-Dub]

As @Silver14SS said once you get eveything dressed in nicely its kinda sad to have to tear it out all the way back to the controller and fish it all back out again to get it somewhere easier to scrub down.

I understand now. Thanks.

 

[Red_Beard]

Resurrecting this briefly for the benefit of any inquisitive users. Here are some pics!

That is what the inside of the connector looks like.

 

[Red_Beard]

I used some phoenix contact 4 pin pico connectors that i already had lying around from something else. They are a bit pricy, but they are bulletproof. You don't need 4 pins, at least for the Nero, as they are only 3 wire.

This is what i used:
female end: 1441079

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Phoenix-Contact/1441079?qs=yVWAs5b1x8PEYQyZ34JgYA%3D%3D

male end: 1441037

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Phoenix-Contact/1441037?qs=yVWAs5b1x8Ort4jN%2Fq%252BMvw%3D%3D

But, a cheaper alternative, but also a little bulkier would be something like these:
male: Amazon product
female: Amazon product

 

[Tamberav]

I used some phoenix contact 4 pin pico connectors that i already had lying around from something else. They are a bit pricy, but they are bulletproof. You don't need 4 pins, at least for the Nero, as they are only 3 wire.

This is what i used:
female end: 1441079

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Phoenix-Contact/1441079?qs=yVWAs5b1x8PEYQyZ34JgYA%3D%3D

male end: 1441037

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Phoenix-Contact/1441037?qs=yVWAs5b1x8Ort4jN%2Fq%252BMvw%3D%3D

But, a cheaper alternative, but also a little bulkier would be something like these:
male: Amazon product
female: Amazon product

So for a dummy who knows very little about these things, it looks rather simple? The wires just pinch in there? no soldering or anything?

 

[Red_Beard]

So for a dummy who knows very little about these things, it looks rather simple? The wires just pinch in there? no soldering or anything?

That is correct. The half shown with the wires is an alignment/keeper piece. You fold the wires into it and trim them flush. The other piece screws onto it with a bladed metal slot that cuts through the insulation and connects the pins to the wires. Those phoenix contact connectors are some of the easiest to install ive ever used really. The other amazon linked ones however are screw terminal and come with a little wrench.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I absolutely love the title of this post :grinning-face-with-sweat:

 

[exnisstech]

Going to have to look into this. I have 4 neros running and rarely clean them because of the hassle fishing the wires out of the stand. I resorted to brushing them off in a large bowl next to the tank but this would be much better. I'm out of warranty so no concerns there. Thanks for posting

 

[JoJosReef]

Great title

 

[Jimbo327]

I wished all powerheads and pumps have a disconnect closer to the unit itself.

 

[Red_Beard]

Going to have to look into this. I have 4 neros running and rarely clean them because of the hassle fishing the wires out of the stand. I resorted to brushing them off in a large bowl next to the tank but this would be much better. I'm out of warranty so no concerns there. Thanks for posting

Glad someone else can find it useful! I was doing the same thing, had all my cables tucked into fingerduct races nice and pretty, not wanting to tear it out. This makes life a ton easier.

Great title

I absolutely love the title of this post :grinning-face-with-sweat:

LOL, thanks!

I wished all powerheads and pumps have a disconnect closer to the unit itself.

it does seem like it would be pretty easy to implement at the factory right? But if you think about it, what if someone wanted it at the front bottom corner of their 4 ft deep tank? then the connector would be submerged. i am sure there are other reasons too, but it would for sure make that a heck of a lot more convenient.