Tight fitting banana plugs

Alan_r
Alan_r Posts: 164
in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello! I am having issues with my banana plugs. I am using Atlona Technologies 24k gold plated banana plugs and they just don't seem to fit tight enough. I am using 10 AWG wire and the weight of the wire pulls the plugs loose. Every few days I have to check all my connections and always find them loose and about to fall out. I am afraid that one day they will fall out, cross and short out the amplifier in my NAD receiver. I don't see how to fit spade connectors due to the room behind my components so I need to stay with banana connectors. What are you guys using? Which banana plugs seem to fit tight?
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Comments

  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    You need locking or expanding Banana plugs.
    There are high end models, but I find these to be excellent quality:
    http://www.speakerrepair.com/page/product/locking/BL8.html
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
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    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
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    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,465
    Get the GLS locking ones or some good BFA plugs
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,560
    mrloren wrote: »
    Get the GLS locking ones or some good BFA plugs


    I'd scratch the BFA's as if he is having problems with the pairs he has now then it just might pinch the BFA's enough to be a bigger problem. I have used several different BFA's that didn't have the rubber in them and found them lacking big time. They all got looser as time went on and even when I tried to widen it didn't work well for me. Several times I came home to find them folded in half.

    I second the locking BUT I'd look for some 45 degree locking to relieve some of the pressure on the post

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  • Alan_r
    Alan_r Posts: 164
    Ah, 45 degree. I see, the angle will relieve the leverage that is working the plugs loose. Unfortunately, I need plugs that come straight out due to clearance issues. However, the locking feature might do the trick. I will order two pair of the gls locking plugs and give them a try. I'll post the results for others. If they work I'll order the other 12. Thanks for the help guys. Alan
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  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,465
    Good BFA plugs don't bend or come out, cheap ones well they are 100 yard targets.

    Locking plugs are better than cheap BFA plugs but do put a strain on the post.
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
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