West Mountain Radio RIGrunner 4005
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| Frequency | n/a (12 VDC power distribution panel) |
| Bands | n/a (DC power distribution) |
| Power | A DC power distribution panel, not a radio or supply. It splits one 12 V source into five individually-fused outlets; 40 amps total maximum (37 amps ICAS continuous). |
| Modes | DC power distribution (Anderson Powerpole) |
| Weight | 204 g (7.2 oz) |
| input | Anderson Powerpole DC input from a 12 V supply or battery |
| outputs | Five Anderson Powerpole output positions (top-mounted on the 4005), arranged to the ARES/RACES standard |
| fusing | Each outlet individually fused with a standard ATC/ATO automotive blade fuse (1-40 A), externally accessible and quick-change |
| power req | 12 VDC; 40 A total maximum (about 37 A ICAS continuous), fed in through an Anderson Powerpole input. |
A clean, safe way to power a whole station from one supply: five Anderson Powerpole outlets, each individually fused with cheap, externally-swappable automotive blade fuses, on a rugged board rated for 40 amps total. The ARES/RACES Powerpole arrangement standardizes every DC connection in the shack, and it is compact and easy to mount.
It is a 40-amp panel, so a big amplifier is still better on its own dedicated feed, and you supply your own Powerpole-terminated cables for the input and each device. It is frequently backordered and some dealers list it as discontinued, and at about $80 it costs more than a bare distribution block that omits the fusing and rugged enclosure.
The West Mountain Radio RIGrunner 4005 is the classic five-outlet, individually-fused Anderson Powerpole DC distribution panel: feed it one 12-volt supply and power five pieces of gear, each on its own externally-accessible blade fuse, to the ARES/RACES standard. It suits any station that wants tidy, safe, standardized DC distribution up to 40 amps; high-current amplifiers want their own feed, and budget builders can use a bare distribution block instead.
The West Mountain Radio RIGrunner 4005 is a DC power distribution panel, the tidy and safe way to run a whole station from a single 12-volt supply. You feed it once from your power supply or battery, and it splits that into five outlets, each on its own fuse, all using Anderson Powerpole connectors. Powerpoles are the de-facto standard DC connector in amateur radio, so standardizing on a RIGrunner means every radio, tuner and accessory plugs in the same way.
It handles 40 amps total (about 37 amps continuous by the ICAS rating), and any single outlet can carry up to 40 amps as limited by its fuse. Each outlet is individually protected by an ordinary ATC/ATO automotive blade fuse in values from 1 to 40 amps, and the fuses are accessible from outside so you can change one without opening the case. The outlets follow the ARES/RACES Powerpole arrangement used for emergency interoperability. It is solidly built, with a heavy copper circuit board, wide traces and an aluminum, powder-coated case, yet compact at about 1.4 by 5.7 by 2.7 inches and 7.2 ounces, with rubber feet and adhesive pads included.
It is passive: there are no electronics, just distribution and fusing, so there is nothing to fail. You do supply your own Powerpole-terminated cables for the input and for each device. The 4005 has top-mounted connectors; West Mountain also offers a horizontal-mount 4005H and other sizes. It sells for about $80.
It is the specific five-outlet flagship of the RIGrunner line of Powerpole distribution panels.