Anderson Connector Crimping 101 - Wire Terminal Basics | Ep: 8/14

In this video, we'll guide you through the process of crimping and assembling Anderson connectors, which are ideal for DC DC charging connections between trucks and trailers, as well as smaller applications like lights and outlets. Join Nate in lesson #8 of the Wire Terminals playlist from the EXPLORIST.life Mobile, Marine, and Off-Grid Electrical Academy, where you'll learn the essential steps to secure and reliable connections. Whether you're working with 10 AWG wires or larger, we've got you covered.

This is episode 4.8 in our Wire Terminals Playlist in the EXPLORIST.life Academy.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful with planning and installing your DIY Camper:

FULL ELECTRICAL INSTALLS:

00:00 Introduction
00:56 What are the parts of an Anderson connector?
01:16 What Crimper is Best for Anderson Connectors?
03:14 How to Make an Anderson Connector
05:19 What are some common use cases for Anderson Connectors?

[cbdane]

Nate, I’m so grateful for your channel! Even though my trailer upgrade (small Airstream) is essentially complete (540Ah, Quattro 3000 with new front generator plug for Powerboost, Lynx shunt, Lynx distributor, 600W on roof with 100-50, 200W on ground with 100-30, Orion XS, Cerbo GX with Touch 7”, integrated Mopekas, integrated Seelevel, integrated Ruuvis for fridge, freezer, tanks, and other things I’m probably forgetting), I can’t stop watching! Little details like your external solar disconnect and Lynx extenders made all the difference. On topic with this video, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried the Australian Trailer Vision Powerpole enclosures but they are really nice. Take a look sometime. Thank you again!

[GK]

Anderson is our go-to DC connector. Excellent tutorial.

[NALF]

That's an early morning upload! Thank you for putting out this series

[infurium]

Dude, love your videos, sadly I learned almost all your knowledge in DIY stuff the hard way, by asking questions googling, and trying stuff. Lol. That's ok. I learned the lesson of getting good tools. When I switched to the Temco crimper, man that was so awesome! I had some janky connections! I was going to buy the Anderson crimper as I am getting into Anderson connections (after breaking off terminal posts on my rack mount batteries from taking wires off/on to charge with too much force...sigh) and I wasn't sure the best way to crimp. Since you use the Temco I'm gonna go w/it, doesn't sound like I need to buy the Anderson one. You helped me out too in my design of 2 Victrons talking together for 2 PV arrays facing different angles to get the most power I can out of the day. Thanks for that! With Starlink becoming way more reliable I seriously want to live the camperlilfe for a year or so. I have a decked out Tacoma and I can camp and work remotely! Cheers brother appeciate all your videos, diagrams everything

[YouLookinAtMe-Bro]

Always look forward to learning from these tutorials, and the illustrations are a massive help.
Thank you for your valuable time you take to teach is the best and safest ways to explore the solar world!
Be safe all🙏

[SimonWad]

I think a useful thing to consider is that each housing takes a specific pin insert size, but each pin insert can be bought in a small range of sizes corresponding to a small range of wire gauges. You can buy the terminals separate to the housings. So it is importance to buy the correct pin size for its housing, and also the pin crimp size to match the wire that you want to connect. Otherwise you might not make a tight, strong crimp. To use Nate's phrasing, "Ask me how I know this"
For larger pin sizes crimp gauges, this might be slightly less of an issue with Nate's non-hydraulic crimpers but it is with hydraulic ones which creat a hexagonal crimp - where you have to select the correct die size. If you don't, it looks like it has crimped the terminal but the wire is not crimped tightly. And you have to go down the ladder of dies. Again, "Ask me how I know this". As Nate mentions elsewhere, he is not a fan of hydraulic crimpers and I think rightly so - he covers this in another video. Unfortunately I had bought and often used my hydraulic crimpers before I had the pleasure of discovering Nate and Steph's wonderful channel.
I can also confirm that the pins are removable, but trickier with the smaller ones than the large ones. Once again..."Ask me how I know"

[lekker]

Much appreciated…great video and content.

[mikesnifferpippets]

Anderson connectors are great. We use a lot of them for DC power supplies at work. I have a question when using them for DC/DC charging from the vehicles alternator. Because I like to “over engineer” my wiring due to fear of melting or fire. Is it possible to have wire too big? You mentioned 6ga at the bumper. But would some like 4ga or 2ga be too big? Would there be any kind of losses? I don’t think so, but curious about your input. Thanks for all the videos, I really like all the attention to detail.

[mquetel]

Thanks helpful video. For the smaller 15A-45A Anderson power poles, can you suggest what can be done for strain relief on the wire?

[reem]

With this being a popular use case for external connections, how do they hold up against corrosion? Are the pin and retainer same material? Tin coated or anything of the sort?

[frankfaubert]

Great video Nate. I have a question. With the 10-16 ga crimping, does it matter which side of the crimping tool the wire comes in from? I have an Anchor crimper that has anvils for three different wire ranges and it seems to crimp better when the wire comes into the crimper from the side that shows the wire ranges.

[projet]

No heat shrink is required, especially outside in the back or the truck it seems it would protect for humidity and water? Thank you for this video, !

[lakorai]

They make specific Anderson crimpers for smaller terminals rated up to 45A. They have a divit specifically for the bent section of the connector and makes a perfect crimp.

Btw you can't use anything larger than 10awg with these smaller Anderson's. So realistically your ampacity is limited to 30A; the connector is rated for 45 but the wire is limited to 30.

[grounded]

They actually have removal tools for disassembling the pin from the housing.

[livingtheplanb]

Comical large to you is standard to me. Forklift chargers.

[Tijrah]

Did you try lots of Hydraulic Crimpers before deciding on the current one you showed... it can be a hit-or-miss.with these offshore brands