Tips for Anderson Power Pole Connectors (#1195)

Brandon, KF4RMT, is having some trouble crimping Anderson Power Pole connectors and asks Dave if he has any advice for performing the task. Watch to see how Dave attaches his connectors!

Links from Video:
QS Radio Anderson Power Pole Crimper:

Heavy Duty Crimp Kit from Amazon:

Videographed and Edited by Teagan Kulbeth

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#dave casler
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#icom 7300
#antenna
#dipole
#end fed dipole
#mag loop
#magnetic loop antennas

[randman]

For the 30a connector, I strip the insulation back further than the recommended 3/8” then fold over the small wire before inserting it into the connector, then crimp. I will then second crimp with the 15a for a tighter crimp. Then insert into the plastic housing with the curve facing down with the small portion of the plastic housing down. If it does not click into position, I use a tiny screwdriver, insert it into the plastic housing, placing the tip on the back of the connector and push it in until it clicks. This usually is necessary when using a small diameter gauge wire. Good video Dave

[carolmartin]

Thanks, Dave.
Power pole connectors have their problems. However, they are better than a myriad of other connectors I have used. In the last eight years, I have not had one connection fail or give intermittent contact.
I take my time assembling them. Even though I have dyslexia, I have not messed up any of the connectors during the assembly of dozens of the Anderson power connectors. They are not as rugged as the Ampenol olive drab connectors, but they do a dependable service. N0QFT, Glen

[DanielHallmark]

DX Engineering crimp tool has an extra support block that protects the tip and ensures the powerpole connector is inserted to the correct depth to crimp properly.

Highly recommend the DXE tool. It will make crimping your powerpoles a million times faster and easier. The kit also comes with crimp blocks for coax, wire terminals, etc.

[billypoulin-lariviere]

Thanks Dave for your knowledge. Its really appreciated. Hi, from Québec Canada

[TFuzz]

The company I bought mine from don’t even sell a crimper, they recommend soldering them. They said crimpers are great for the guys selling them but not great for the guy using them. A side benefit of soldering them is they are then reusable.
Cheers from Moose Jaw
Tim VE5THF

[walterbordett]

Powerpole connectors are genderless, so they can connect to both source and sink while protecting the live parts. The contacts can carry more current than the wire they connect to. There is a relatively universal ham radio convention for using them for 12V power and if you follow that convention, cross polarization is very unlikely. (Holding the cable end, looking at the connector end, Red Right, Tongue Top.)

For me the wonderful thing about Powerpole connectors is that any of your power cords can be used with any of the adapters to other connectors and I can take my equipment to any public service event or emergency and we can all easily work together.

Are they perfect? No. But they work well for me. Using a proper crimper and the silver plated copper contacts I have never had a connector failure. I cannot say that about the other commonly used Amp, Molex and bullet connectors which are not rated high enough to handle a 100watt transmitter without paralleling contacts, which is a disaster waiting to happen.

[johnallen]

Dave,
I find that when the wire is too small for the crimp, that doubling the wire or putting another suitable wire in the crimp that will serve as strain relief ehen taped to tthe small wire workes well
- no solder needed, strain relief benifits if the wire connection wire is tiny

[farmerwayne]

I dont have a crimp tool. But ive used a fat screw driver and hammer, then solder.

[janvelter]

Just solder the things ... I do ... no schrinking.

[macuser]

I have yet to make a power pole connector work !?!?!?!

[KAUPW]

I have the same problem except my crimp jaws (same company) are different the have a buipt in stop which makes it difficult to insert deep enough into the pocket causing the deformity.

[bkailua]

That "little thing" is called a roll pin.

[nrrful]

Never could understand how power poles became the norm...they suck...there are many quick connect/disconnect connectors that are much better.

[mrkattm]

My God this topic get a lot of coverage, too much for what it is, it is only a connector

[TK-]

Power Poles suck. Never understood how they got so popular. Communist plot I expect. I use XT-60 and XT-90 for my connections