[NLRS] POWERPOLE Connectors

[Doug Reed]

And don't forget that you can get a pretty acceptable crimp tool for
Powerpole connectors from Harbor Freight at 45th & Central Ave NE, About 10
blocks south of I-694 on Central. The manufacturer's suggested crimp tool
is somewhere over $100 plus dies. The Harbor Freight crimp tool is on sale
right now for $3. 

Or you may have a good crimp tool already. I have found that the type of
tool that squeezes top and bottom of the crimp terminal like the jaws of a
plier are the WORST kind you can use for Powerpole connectors. You MUST
keep the barrel of the crimp terminal at its original width else it will
not fit in the housing. 

The Harbor Freight crimper has a deep U cutout in one jaw that the body of
the terminal drops into. When you squeeze, the other side of the jaws
brings down a V peg that compresses the terminal body to make the crimp. It
is very solid and durable crimp. 

The only complaint I have is that you might want to check how well centered
the V peg is in the U recess before you buy the crimper. Some are better
than others but I really can't say if it makes a lot of difference to the
crimp. 

73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.