Although I soldered the Powerpole connectors for my K3 because I didn't have the appropriate crimping tool, I submit that in general, crimped connections are far more reliable than soldered ones.
Try and find a soldered connector pin in an automobile, aircraft or missile. Likewise, swaged (a related process) connections abound in the same applications; hydraulic, A/C and fuel hoses, control cables, etc. As long ago as the 1960s we were crimping the several sections of the TOW missile fuselage together using Magneforming. That said, every time I move my K3 on the desk it disconnects itself. My TS-870 with a Molex connector doesn't. Wes N7WS --- On Thu, 3/24/11, Vic K2VCO <[email protected]> wrote: > I solder them too. What I do is push > the wire up to the top of the contact, heat the > little tube, and apply solder to the very top, the part > closest to the contact surface. > > I'm careful to only use a minimum amount of solder. Because > I've heated the tube, the > solder flows into it, not onto the contact surface. > > This helps avoid the problem of the solder wicking back > into the strands of the wire, > making a stiff section right at the connector which can > break. I too have never had any > problems with these connectors. > > I solder all kinds of things. It makes me feel secure. > Crimps make me nervous. > > On 3/24/2011 2:55 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > > At the risk of re-energizing an old debate, I have > *never* crimped a > > PowerPole connector and have *never* had a problem. > All of mine are soldered > > just as Elecraft recommends if you don't have the > correct crimp tool. > > > > In the APP Power Supply Cable Kit instruction sheet is > a detailed cut-away > > drawing of how the APP connector contacts insert into > the shell and lock for > > solid, reliable contact. > > > > Ron AC7AC > > -- > Vic, K2VCO > Fresno CA > http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ > __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
