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MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014

Small Anderson Power Pole Connectors 1, Mex 0

I am fighting the insertion of assembled connector conductor into plastic base, and I shouldn't have to. I am using a standard peg imprint uninsulated terminal (T&B) crimper. After assembly the terminal simply will not slide into the square plastic housing. I've sought out the factory web site instructions, watched You Tube and they make it look easy.

The peg crimper does not leave the terminal mis-shapen but, too fat top to bottom. Simple filing works but without soldering the joint is weaker than a starved cat. I changed crimping tools, no difference. I had to resort to solder to keep any strength to the termination, and the amount of filing needed is exactly the same with or without solder.

Filing is to the top of the barrel, top meaning the bend on the flat tang is facing down. I must be removing 1/16" or better of material and that is flat ridiculous. So is spending an extra fifteen minutes per termination.

I believe the termination is 45 amp rated and I am using 16-20 gauge wire (sometimes paralleled)

I can assemble 10 Weather Pac terminals in the time it takes me to so a single Anderson Power Pole. The problem lies with me and I would like to solve it. I have a lot of connectors to make up.

Thanks

27 Replies

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  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    Snowman9000 wrote:
    I think the problem arises when as Mex says, the crimp is too big in one direction or another. You can't really squish it outward at all, hardly. Once you have a conforming crimp, the terminal will go in without much fuss. imo.


    From my experience, If I use genuine anderson connectors rather than second source parts, crimp doesn't seem to matter, they snap in. My experience is that there are non anderson connectors that are too short between where the crimp housing ends and the tip tang starts. so when the "neck" hits the wall in the housing, the tip isn't past the metal tag that holds it in place.

    At first I thought I was doing something wrong. I was, had some connectors that weren't anderson and that was the problem.

    when I talk about connectors, it's the metal contact, NOT the plastic housing.
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    I had to resort to solder to keep any strength to the termination, and the amount of filing needed is exactly the same with or without solder.

    Thanks


    If you are filing the connector, having used solder, something is wrong.
    The connector should fit into the housing without much effort & snap into place

    This is the best informational site concerning Anderson connectors that I have found.

    Anderson connectors
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    I think the problem arises when as Mex says, the crimp is too big in one direction or another. You can't really squish it outward at all, hardly. Once you have a conforming crimp, the terminal will go in without much fuss. imo.
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    Mex:

    Been there, done that. What I found is that the real genuine connectors that come with the anderson connector work fine. HOWEVER, BE CAREFUL OF ANY AFTERMARKET OR SUBSTITUTE CONTACT. I spent I don't know how much time trying to figure out why some wouldn't insert, just like your going through. best I could tell, dimensions were the same. But they must vary slightly and I couldn't get it to latch. sorted through the connectors, and found the genuine ones works "easy peasy".

    I found that I could take a "virgin" aftermarket connector straight out of the package and it would NOT insert and latch, no matter how hard I push, wiggled etc. The genuine article would snap in easily.

    I've since done a dry run on any connector. If it snaps in, then it's good and I crimp and solder and they go in fine.
  • BruceMc's avatar
    BruceMc
    Explorer III
    Nov 11, 2014
    I use a fair amount of Anderson PPs. If I get time, I'll snap a few photos & hopefully help you assemble yours.

    I use a stake type crimp made by Klein.
  • tvman44's avatar
    tvman44
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    I love the Anderson Power pole connectors, I use the 45 amp on our 5er for 12 volt connections and at home I use the 150 amp for my generator. On the 45 amp I use their crimping tool. I don't know what to tell you about your problem as mine work great. :)

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