At the W1KM station we have had Anderson PowerPole connectors in service for about 4 years. All were installed with the proper crimping tool. The crimps were not soldered.

We are starting to see some increase in resistance on some of the connections, and have speculated that some oxidation is occurring inside the crimped bundle of wires. Typically 5 connections exist between source and sink: -- inside the power supply, between the board's wiring harness and the external terminal. -- between the supply's external terminal and a cable run toward the operating position. -- at the other end of this cable run, where it connects to a RigRunner (PowerPole). -- at the start of a second cable run, where it connects to the RigRunner. -- at the other end of this second cable run, where it connects to the radio. The resistance of these connection, plus cable resistance and current draw, determine the voltage drop between supply and the radio's connector.

To me, it seems a reasonable precaution to allow solder to be wicked up into the crimp from the front (not the rear) of the PowerPole pin. Properly done, this does not melt insulation nor cause the wire outside the housing to stiffen.

73,
  -- Eric K3NA
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