[Elecraft] Kpa100, powerpoles and crimpers

[Don Brown]

Hi

Yes it is a well known fact that a properly made crimp connection is more reliable and can be made more consistently than a soldered connection (as well as faster). The problem with soldering is it takes skill while the crimp connection does not. Another problem with soldering is the solder will wick up under the insulation and over time may make the wire brittle causing it to break at the solder connection. I have also seen flux that wicks up under the insulation attract moisture and corrode up under the insulation. Over time the wire disintegrates. These problems are rare but do happen. 

When I say a properly made crimp I am talking about the tools with the correct die for the contact and the ratchet mechanism so the crimper will not release until the proper pressure has been applied. These tools cost between $50 and $250. The cheap $10 tools will not make a good crimp unless you know what you are doing and then it may be a two or three step process. If you do not have the proper crimper then soldering is about the only way to do it.

BTW wire wrap is also more reliable than soldered connections for the same reasons. Again soldering requires a certain amount of skill to make consistent connections. While wire wrap the skill is in the design of the tool. Anybody can make reliable connections with no skill required and 5 minutes of instruction. This was one of the reasons Digital Equipment built wire wrap back planes in their computers up through the 80's 

Don Brown
KD5NDB


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Stan Rife<mailto:srife at swbell.net> 
  To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net<mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net> 
  Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2004 1:53 PM
  Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Kpa100, powerpoles and crimpers


  Better than soldering, Don?


  Stan Rife
  WD5EWA
  Houston, TX
  K2 S/N 4216