[Elecraft] OT: APP strain relief

Thu May 2 22:52:11 EDT 2013

you are correct that a properly crimped connection is as good as 
soldering but that really wasn't the point and I'm not sure why I even 
mentioned soldering  perhaps because I know that some do.   I just crimp 
as its way faster less burns and swearing and works fine for me.      
The biggest downfall of soldering APP is that the solder and flux can 
run down the pin where contact is made defeating the silver plating 
creating problems.

  However, whether you crimp or not, with light gauge wires like that 
the power cable for an HT or small accessory,  a strain relief will help 
prevent wires from breaking off right at the end of the connector due to 
fatigue. Frequent connecting and reconnecting plus moving equipment 
while connected will break the wire right where it comes out of the 
crimped connector pin.  (I'm not talking about the wires pulling out).  
   A strain relief will reduce the radius of the bend in the wire at the 
connection when it is moved around    I don't see how crimping the 
connector alone  will prevent a wire bending and eventually breaking off 
from  fatigue

As for Mercedes   Way back I was a Mechanic at a Mercedes dealer and I 
know for sure that Mercedes Benz soldered plenty including pins for the 
connectors.   I'm sure that is changed in the last 3 decades due to 
manufacturing cost.

David Moes

dmoes at nexicom.net
VE3DVY

On 5/2/2013 21:42, EricJ wrote:
> {Directed at no one in particular. Don't take it personally, anyone}
>
> I think someone already mentioned doubling the stripped wire back over 
> the insulation, then putting that in the APP terminal. I'm pretty sure 
> that's what Anderson recommends. But then you have to PROPERLY crimp 
> it, not solder it. Do that and you won't need strain relief in 
> ordinary service.
>
> So treat yourself. West Mountain has an EXCELLENT crimper good for all 
> three APP terminals, and as quality crimpers go, it's dirt 
> cheap...$40...the price of two large pizzas. Anderson has one too, but 
> you need a credit check to buy it. I've done hundreds of crimps with 
> the West Mtn crimper for ham, auto and R/C use. Soldering APPs is 
> ridiculous and produces an inferior connection that NEEDS strain 
> relief. You select a stranded wire, then wick solder up it to make it 
> a solid wire. That's nuts.
>
> I've heard from lots of R/C people that crimping makes an inferior 
> connection and the connection should be soldered as well. Tell that to 
> Mercedes or any quality auto or motorcycle manufacturer. Except for PC 
> boards, just try to find a soldered joint in an automobile of any 
> quality. You won't.
> Everything is crimped. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet all aircraft 
> connectors are crimped. I bet the SR-71 connectors are all crimped. 
> Probably the Shuttle too. Shouldn't that be good enough for a 12 volt 
> ham rig?
>
> Crimping isn't inferior. Crimping with crap tools is inferior.
>
> Well, that feels better.
>
> Eric
> KE6US
> K1, KX1, K2
>
>
>
>
> On 5/2/2013 4:44 PM, david Moes wrote:
>> For the fine wires, before crimping  I slide a short length about 
>> half to 3/4 inch length of shrink tubing with a diameter just big 
>> enough to fit over the crimped end on each lead    then I slide 
>> another piece of shrink tubing over both wires about 2 inches long 
>> and slide it out of the way for now.         once the crimp and 
>> soldering is done I slide the short tubing so that it is just 
>> covering the crimp then shrink it   then I slide the terminals into 
>> the connector body and join the two  together and line them up.    
>> Then I slide the longer shrink that covers both wires as close to the 
>> APPs as I can and shrink it.   It makes a tidy strain relief    As a 
>> side note I never use the pins to hold the connector pairs together I 
>> find that they can still come apart     Crazy glue does  a much 
>> better and more permanent job.
>>
>> 73  Dave  VE3DVY
>>
>>   .  On 4/24/2013 17:20, ab2tc wrote:
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I have recently converted more or less completely to Anderson Power 
>>> Poles
>>> for all my power supply needs. I use an 8-way "hub" from Powerwerx 
>>> as my
>>> "distribution center". No fuses as the switching power supplies are 
>>> current
>>> limited and probably failsafe in the event of most electrical component
>>> failures. For the big stuff, radios with #12 power wires I am not  
>>> worried
>>> about the lack of strain relief on the connectors. But for the 
>>> flimsy power
>>> cables supplied with accessories like my KAT500, LP-100A, Lantronix 
>>> serial
>>> servers I am. Has anybody found a good solution for this? Should I 
>>> just fill
>>> the back of the connectors with epoxy or is there a better way?
>>>
>>> Knut - AB2TC
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
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>>>
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>>
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