Cradlepoint 170869-000 12V 5.5A Power Supply
Overview
The Cradlepoint 170869-000 is a 12V DC power supply engineered specifically for the Cradlepoint C7 line of networking equipment. This is a replacement or field-stock unit designed to deliver consistent 12V power to remote and outdoor installations where equipment uptime is critical. The 170869-000 (often searched as 170869 000) outputs 5.5A maximum continuous current through a compact 2x2 4-pin Molex connector — a standard small form-factor connector that keeps the overall footprint minimal for enclosed cabinets or equipment racks.
Key Features
- 12V DC Output: Delivers steady 12V to C7 equipment — no voltage sag under sustained load, which matters when your site router is kilometers from the nearest technician.
- 5.5A Maximum Current: Sufficient headroom for C7 gear and any downstream USB or auxiliary power demands; ensures the supply won't throttle performance during peak traffic or initialization spikes.
- 2x2 4-Pin Molex Connector: Compact, keyed design minimizes connector strain and accidental reversal — critical for outdoor field swaps where you may be working in low light or harsh weather.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (−30°C to 70°C): Operates reliably from arctic remote sites (oil platforms, mountain repeaters) to hot desert or tropical deployments without thermal shutdown or voltage drift — no need for separate heater or cooler jackets.
- Compact Form Factor: Small profile fits standard 19" DIN rails, wall-mount enclosures, and mobile/remote deployment boxes without consuming precious rack or cabinet space.
- Field Replacement Ready: Hot-swap compatible with existing C7 installations — minimize downtime when a PSU fails; simply disconnect the Molex, insert the 170869-000, and re-establish connectivity.
Integration and Compatibility
The 170869-000 is purpose-built for Cradlepoint C7 series equipment. Before ordering, confirm your target device model accepts a 12V 5.5A Molex input. Verify the pinout and connector type against your existing documentation or contact the Cradlepoint OEM technical team if you are uncertain. Using an incorrect power supply can damage the equipment and void warranty. This unit is not cross-compatible with other Cradlepoint product families or third-party devices requiring different voltage or connector geometry.
Deployment Considerations
Stock this unit as a spare in remote sites where power supply replacement turnaround time can stretch to weeks. The wide temperature range makes it suitable for unheated shelters, outdoor equipment boxes, and mobile deployments. Pair it with managed network switches and backup power systems in mission-critical remote locations to avoid cascading outages. Ensure your enclosure or mounting surface accommodates the connector strain relief and provides adequate ventilation — passive cooling is sufficient under normal continuous load, but confinement will reduce lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Cradlepoint 170869-000 compatible with equipment other than the C7 line?
A: No. This power supply is engineered specifically for Cradlepoint C7 equipment. Using it with other devices risks damage. Always verify compatibility with the OEM before installation.
Q: What connector type does the 170869-000 use?
A: It uses a 2x2 4-pin Molex connector — a small form-factor, keyed design common in compact networking and industrial equipment. Confirm your C7 unit has a matching receptacle.
Q: Can I use the 170869-000 in outdoor or extreme temperature environments?
A: Yes. The operating range spans −30°C to 70°C (−22°F to 158°F), making it suitable for outdoor cabinets, arctic sites, and hot climates. House it in a weatherproof enclosure if exposed to rain, snow, or direct UV.
Q: What is the maximum continuous output current of the 170869-000?
A: Maximum output is 5.5A at 12V DC. This provides headroom for the C7 unit and any auxiliary devices drawing power from the same supply. Check your equipment power draw before deployment.
Q: Should I keep a spare 170869-000 on hand at remote sites?
A: Yes, recommended practice for mission-critical remote installations. Power supply failure is a leading cause of unexpected downtime, and field replacement turnaround can be slow. A single spare 170869-000 in your site kit covers you for rapid recovery.
Q: Does the 170869-000 include a power cord or is it a bare supply?
A: The product delivers 12V output via the Molex connector only. Verify your installation includes the appropriate AC-to-DC inlet or upstream power distribution before ordering.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Cradlepoint 170869-000 is a straightforward workhorse — and that's exactly what remote site networking needs. A lot of integrators overlook power supply redundancy until they're troubleshooting an outage at a cell tower 80 kilometers from the nearest service depot. The 170869-000 addresses that gap directly. Its 5.5A output and −30°C to 70°C operating window mean you can deploy it as a primary or backup supply in virtually any outdoor or sheltered cabinet scenario without worrying about thermal derating or voltage sag under peak load.
Technical Highlights:
- 5.5A Continuous Output: Supplies sufficient headroom for C7 equipment plus auxiliary loads. Compare to underbuffered supplies that throttle under sustained demand — this one holds voltage even during initialization spikes or transient power-hungry events.
- 2x2 4-Pin Molex Connector: Keyed design prevents reversal during field swaps, reducing cross-wiring incidents and accidental component damage. Compact footprint fits DIN rails and enclosures without consuming cabinet space.
- Extended Temperature Range (−30°C to 70°C): No thermal shutdown or drift-induced voltage loss across arctic, tropical, or desert deployments. Eliminates the need for heated or cooled enclosure jackets in all but the most extreme environments.
Deployment Considerations:
- C7-Only Compatibility: Do not assume cross-family compatibility. The 170869-000 is hardwired for C7 equipment. Confirm connector pinout and voltage rating before installation; a mismatch will cause immediate failure and potential warranty denial.
- Spare Stock Practice: Remote and mobile sites should maintain at least one spare on hand. PSU failures often cascade into hours of downtime when replacement turnaround stretches to days or weeks. A single 170869-000 in your site spares kit is cheap insurance against that risk.
Position the 170869-000 in any mission-critical remote networking deployment — oil and gas field communications boxes, mountain repeater stations, mobile command units, or distributed outdoor cabinets where C7 equipment is the network backbone. Its reliability across temperature extremes and generous current headroom make it the right choice when downtime is expensive.
