[Elecraft] To Crimp or Not to Crimp...

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Every time a discussion of crimpers comes up, someone wonders if crimping is
'better' and whether they should buy a crimping tool. 

Here's the scoop:

1) Crimping does not make a better connection than soldering. A properly
crimped connection is just as good as properly soldered connection. 

2) Proper crimping requires a quality crimper and knowledge about how to use
it correctly. Poorly crimped connections will force the current through a
relatively small, higher-resistance part of the wire, producing heat and
serious voltage drops.


So why would anyone use a crimper?

1) In a production manufacturing environment where many connections must be
made quickly, day in and day out, crimping is much, much faster than
soldering. The time savings quickly justifies the cost of the relatively
expensive crimping tools. 

2) Crimping does not require the assembler know how to solder, a significant
savings to many manufacturers in labor and training costs.

3) In some situations (but not ones in which Elecraft rigs are normally
used) soldered power connections are not allowed. These are generally
situations where extreme short circuits could produce enough heat to melt
the solder in an environment where the molten solder could do serious
damage. 

4) A crimper is faster and easier when working away from the bench,
especially when portable soldering equipment isn't handy or one is working
in tight quarters inside a vehicle or equipment (under the instrument board
of an automobile, for example). This seems to be the main justification for
buying crimpers I've heard from Hams. 


The Bottom Line:

Elecraft emphasizes soldering APP connectors in their documents because:

1) Most Hams are experienced and equipped to solder, but lack the experience
and tools for making good crimped connections.

2) The time saved by crimping becomes meaningless when making a small number
of connections, especially in a workshop environment. 

3) A good crimping tool is a significant expense. 

Ron AC7AC