[W2CRA] CHEAP Anderson Power Pole Crimper

[Bill Powell]

Great news for those of you that have had problems crimping Anderson Powerpole pins:

On a whim, and with hopes of avoiding laying out $50 on the "proper" crimp tool, I picked up a Rat Shack "Kronus Telephone Crimper and Cutter" (Catalog #: 64-2983) for a whole $7.99.  Note that it's even cheaper than the $12 Klien cutters/crimper that mostly works - sometimes - if you are very careful.

The problem with using substitute crimp methods is that unless the contact pin is PERFECTLY (symmetrically) crimped, you can't get it into the plastic housing and, if you force it, it doesn't line up correctly and, over time and with a bit of current, will eventually melt down.

The Rat Shack Kronus crimper, at it's bottom-most crimp position (for 14 ga solderless crimps), will just accept the Powerpole pin.  The resulting crimp is nearly as good as the "official" tool. In fact, the slot in the tool is a bit too tight and you'll probably need a pocket knife or small screwdriver to dig it back out after you crimp but it fits the plastic housing perfectly!

So far I have tried it on #10 and #12 stranded wire and NOT on solid or gauges less than #12 but, based on how well it has worked so far, I don't doubt that there will be no real issues unique to the tool with the smaller wire.

Bottom Line:
It's available everywhere, it works well and is cheap!
Bill - WB1GOT

References
ARES/RACES Standard 12 Volt Wiring
ARES:
http://ares.ema.arrl.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=28&page_id=14

RACES:
http://www.races.net/powerpole.html

Powerpole Pin Crimp Tools
$8 Rat Shack tool:	http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F009%5F010%5F002&product%5Fid=64%2D2983

$9 Cheapie that mostly works (it's MFJ: whaddya want?)		http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamps/3816.html

$50 "Good" tool
http://www.westmountainradio.com/PWRcrimp.htm

$160 "Official" tool
http://www.powerwerx.com/product.asp?ProdID=2032&CtgID=1682

Anderson Powerpole Connector
PP30 Powerpole spec sheet:
http://www.andersonpower.com/products/pdf/DS-PP30.pdf

Official "How To":
http://www.andersonpower.com/products/pdf/stdpp_assy.pdf

Good Power Pole sites
http://www.pacificsites.com/~brooke/PowerPole.shtml

http://home.comcast.net/~buck0/app.htm