Crimping tool

[Ypedal]

I use crimper pliers similar to the following on 15 and 30 amp Andersons. I get nice crimps that slide right into the housing. My technique, which I learned here, is to put the seam of the blade tube face down in the U shaped portion of the crimper. When finished, there is a nice divot on the side opposite the seam and seam is still tightly closed.
http://www.powerwerx.com/crimping-tools/powerpole-crimping-tool-15-30-amp.html#more-reviews

I use this tool:
Ace Crimping Tool (3017696)
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1378670

That tool is too thin to cover the lenght of the barrel, i'm sure it can " work " but the GB crimper is much thicker and does the whole barrel in one shot..

10$

 

[Alan B]

I have used the GB tool, and it "sort of" works, but the curvature of the supporting slot is not quite right for the PowerPole. When I later got a PowerPole tool from West Mountain Radio I had much more consistent and reliable crimps.

 

[marty]

Most every manufacturer of most every terminal makes a crimp tool special for each terminal.

We need a crimp competition. Crimp the same terminal on each end of a short piece of wire. Hold the terminals with vice grips and have a Tug of war.

 

[Ypedal]

I have used the GB tool, and it "sort of" works, but the curvature of the supporting slot is not quite right for the PowerPole. When I later got a PowerPole tool from West Mountain Radio I had much more consistent and reliable crimps.

The trick with using the GB tool is to put the seam centered on the male side lump on the first crimp ( see vid on page 1 ) .. otherwise one leg bends down while the other does not resulting in a headache.. and a bad crimp.

 

[Arlo1]

Nice video. This ratchet crimper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Insulat...lectrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item3cc2b2100f is much cheaper than tricrimp, but do you think it work with Anderson Powerpoles? It has three colours; red, blue and yellow.

I dont think the one from ebay looks like it has the right teath on the tip to fold the wires. I have a link to a good one I will go find.

 

[Arlo1]

I ordered these ones and I love them!!!! http://tncscooters.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=69&product_id=469

 

[ohzee]

I was one of those people who tried to use pliers and the oldschool flat crimper to do all my connections , but now I
got a real crimper and I am sooo happy. Andy crimp is what I bought was like 49$ and they accepted paypal so I was happy.

http://www.qsradio.com/Powerpoles.htm

Night and Day from what I was using before.

 

[Alan B]

I ordered these ones and I love them!!!! http://tncscooters.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=69&product_id=469

This crimper looks like it may be similar to the PowerPole crimpers, though it doesn't have the hood that aligns the pin. Good find at 15 bucks if the pins fit properly in the Anderson plastic bodies after crimping.

 

[el_walto]

Am i the only one who doesn't crimp power poles? I just snug the wire in and dump a bunch of solder in it from the top split end.

 

[Alan B]

Am i the only one who doesn't crimp power poles? I just snug the wire in and dump a bunch of solder in it from the top split end.

I used to solder them. Works pretty well if no solder gets on the outside of the pin. It stiffens the wires and they fail at the end of the solder, but until that it works okay. Crimping is a lot faster, you don't have to wait for things to cool off. I tried "making do" with the wrong crimpers, and the Gardener Bender crimper, and found soldering worked better. Then I got a decent and proper crimper and that works better yet, so I don't solder anymore. It depends on what tools you are willing to buy.

 

[cal3thousand]

I am kind of ashamed to admit that I crimped all my Andersons with my Leatherman Skeletool CX.

But I test my crimps with it too, by yanking on them. It's a 3 step process to crimp with just pliers but I think it is strong enough after testing thoroughly. Although, I'm sure it doesn't look as pretty as the other crimps by actually crimp tools.

What I do is squeeze down on one side of the split and then squeeze it under the other side. Once it is tucked under nicely, I squeeze it down and compress it all.

Here's an out of focus shot, but it shows what it looks like with one flap tucked under the other one, before final compression.

 

[Arlo1]

I ordered these ones and I love them!!!! http://tncscooters.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=69&product_id=469

This crimper looks like it may be similar to the PowerPole crimpers, though it doesn't have the hood that aligns the pin. Good find at 15 bucks if the pins fit properly in the Anderson plastic bodies after crimping.

Im pretty sure it will do andersons. I will be trying soon. Which reminds me I need to get a order of them soon.

 

[rkosiorek]

Nice video. This ratchet crimper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Insulat...lectrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item3cc2b2100f is much cheaper than tricrimp, but do you think it work with Anderson Powerpoles? It has three colours; red, blue and yellow.

no it will not.

1st line of the description states that it is for "Insulated" terminals. PowerPoles are Non-Insulated. the crimper you have in the picture is good for the regular insulated terminals.

cheap crimpers usually produce cheap unreliable crimps. a crimper meant for insulated terminals will not work on non-insulated terminals. the die shape is differrent so that it makes room for the insulation without cutting through that insulation. there really is no such thing as a universal crimp tool.

having said that, with practice, skill and meticulous attention to detail you can make an acceptable crimp even with the cheap tools. using tools like the one suggested by Marty requires a little skill and practice. With a Tricrimp you don't need the skill or practice. anyone can produce a good crimp with very little attention to detail. buy a whole bunch of extra contacts for you to practice on if this is your first time.

rick

 

[Ykick]

Nice video. This ratchet crimper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Insulat...lectrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item3cc2b2100f is much cheaper than tricrimp, but do you think it work with Anderson Powerpoles? It has three colours; red, blue and yellow.

no it will not.

1st line of the description states that it is for "Insulated" terminals. PowerPoles are Non-Insulated. the crimper you have in the picture is good for the regular insulated terminals.

cheap crimpers usually produce cheap unreliable crimps. a crimper meant for insulated terminals will not work on non-insulated terminals. the die shape is differrent so that it makes room for the insulation without cutting through that insulation. there really is no such thing as a universal crimp tool.

having said that, with practice, skill and meticulous attention to detail you can make an acceptable crimp even with the cheap tools. using tools like the one suggested by Marty requires a little skill and practice. With a Tricrimp you don't need the skill or practice. anyone can produce a good crimp with very little attention to detail. buy a whole bunch of extra contacts for you to practice on if this is your first time.

rick

Very good advice here. IMO - much like tire patching this is something "can" be done reliably with less than ideal tools and conditions but it greatly depends on the skill of the person doing it and in no case should a pro extend labor warranty for said work.

Good thread, 'been looking for something better and this has given me some great ideas! Also, reminds me to make a connector order soon, it's been a while...

 

[keysersoze310]

I had the same exact problem as the OP and was looking for a non insulated crimper in addition to a powerpole crimper. I eventually chose the Andy Crimp pro because it can do 15/30/45/75 amp terminals, and the tri-crimp can't do 75. They also have a non-insulated terminal die you can get for it as well. This is definitely not the cheapest option, but its probably the best if you need reliability.

http://www.hamcq.com/powerpoles/powerpole-tools/andy-crimp-pro/prod_485.html
http://www.hamcq.com/tools/crimping-tools-and-dies/crimp-die-for-15-30-amp-powerpoles-and-non-insulated-terminals/prod_492.html