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October 17, 2009 - 12:22pm
#1
How to connect spade terminal? (Yes, I am stupid)
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OK, I found this: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm
Here's the relevant quote: "spade lugs have to go onto binding posts sideways".
There is no opening on the sides (or even bottom) of the connections on my amp. I can sort of lay it in sideways and have half of it in there, but it's hard to tell if it's even making a connection, and it pulls out just as easily anyway.
Found someone else with the same issue (it seems): http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/649158
http://www.monstercable.com/RobertHarley/ch11_p05.asp
You'll need five way binding posts on your amplifier which look something like this; http://www.thecablepro.com/cableDetail.php?cID=44&cgID=1
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=091-630
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103985
Unscrew the top nut and you'll see the post with the hole in the middle for bare wire. Slide the spade lug over (around) the post and tighten the nut against the lug. If the spade is not large enough to fit around the post, you'll have to order different lugs or change to banana plugs. If the connector is shrouded in a plastic sheath around its post (not the nut but the post), you'll need a different termination on your cables - possibly banana plugs.
http://www.goodsound.com/howto/2002_03_01.htm
Well, the instruction manual said spades will work, and one of your links said that if it doesn't fit, you'll need a larger (5/16" gap) spade plug. But mine is 5/16" (I just measured it). Should I go even larger?
I'm measuring both and it is absurdly close -- I am measuring both the spade and the post at 5/16". Could I just sand it down with some sandpaper? Or is it just a gold coating?
EDIT: I found one larger: http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/monlocexlara.html but it's from Monster Cable. :/
Yep, just a microns thin plating of gold. Going to a larger spade lug typically means you have also increased the shank diameter of the lug. If your cables aren't of the correct gauge to fit the larger lug shank, then you've just introduced a different problem to the issue.
Spade lugs come in different shapes and I'm assuming you have a set that looks like the Monster version you linked to, lugs with a "U" shape rather than a lug with more of an open "O" shape. If this is the case, then I would advise you to call the retailer or manufacturer of your cables for their advice. You don't want to cancel any return or resale potential in new cables. Until then you should be able to insert one side of the lug into the opening in the post meant for bare wire and snug - not torque - the connector down onto this post to make good contact for an audition of the cables in your system. Make certain you do not allow the connector's unused side to touch another connector or the chassis of the equipment. Ideally, the larger area of surface contact between post and a properly fitting lug is what you're after so this should only serve as a temporary fix until you can consult with the cable folk.
Thanks for the advice -- I've already contacted BCC and am awaiting a response. I already tried getting one end in and was not very successful, but I'll give it another go.
EDIT: Nope, can't do that either. :/
Then it's best to wait for your answer and not make a tenuous connection that could potentially cause problems.