[Elecraft] K3s - 80W on 160 - Resolved

[Jim Brown]

I use PowerPole connectors for all DC wiring, not only in the shack, but 
also throughout the house, and including the dozens of accessories and 
appliances that run on outboard DC supplies. While a "proper crimper" is 
helpful, I've installed hundreds of pairs of power pole connectors using 
nothing more than a soldering iron, needle-nose pliers, and a good bench 
vise. The bench vise holds the cable in place while I'm soldering.  I 
use the needle-nose pliers to carefully crimp the biggest (30A) pins. I 
don't crimp the smaller pins. I do tin the copper before soldering.

The 30A pins are the only ones that are difficult, and then only when 
fitting big wire into them. I use stranded cable for DC power wiring; 
for the few that are #8, I remove a few strands at the connector to make 
it fit. I then carefully re-twist it and tin it before crimping with the 
pliers.

73, Jim K9YC

On Wed,12/21/2016 6:01 AM, Ray Sills wrote:
> If you are going to use Andersen Power Pole connectors, you have to commit to getting a proper (yes, a proper) crimper.