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Reviews For: Anderson Powerpoles

Category: DC Power Supply Distribution

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Review Summary For : Anderson Powerpoles
Reviews: 195MSRP: varies
Description:
Anderson PowerPoles are the ultimate wiring connectors you can use in your ham shack. Once you try them, you'll never use anything else for everything from battery connectivity to removable master power links.
PowerPole Features:
Flat wiping contact system
Interchangeable Genderless design
Colored, Modular housings
Polarized housings
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.powerwerx.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1041953.7
W3JKS Rating: 2009-11-30
Never a problem when crimped properly Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had nothing but good experiences with PowerPoles and their Tyco/Amp equivalent as long as I use the proper crimping tool and contact for the wire in use. Don't try to put a 30-amp contact on 10AWG wire. :-)

In the mobile environment, I've abandoned the use of their clamp assembly (1.25-2.00 each), the roll pin (too small to handle) and wire ties. I use a small (about 3/4" long) piece of heat shrink tubing (the "regular" stuff, NOT the meltable adhesive inside!) and give it a quick pass with the heat gun. It's easy enough to cut the shrink tubing off if you need to disconnect the circuit.

Beware some of the off-the-wall PowerPole'd power strips though -- I've seen people putting three or four radios on a 30-amp NON-protected strip. Bad things are just waiting to happen. I like to use the marine-grade 100-amp fuse blocks instead. Inexpensive and built to last. Auto blade fuses are easy to come by almost everywhere.

73s,
john W3JKS/AAT3BF/AAM3EDE/AAA9SL
W2WO Rating: 2009-02-16
OK, works for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use only a few of these but have had no problems with them. They seem to make a reliable connection for Rigrunner connections and a mobile rig.

Using only a few of them, I do not have a crimper. I use simple pliers, but do it carefully. And then I solder the connection, carefully. I ruined one out of about two dozen connections, but I learned how not to do it and it was worth a lost connector.
OBSERVER11 Rating: 2009-02-16
work for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using PowerPoles long before others "discovered" them. I like them, I know how to solder and how to crimp a connector. This is important, if they are not crimped correctly or soldered correctly, they won't work. It would be nice if there was a built in catch to hold them together, but the connector is superior to the Amp or Molex, so an improvised catch is worth the hassle.
AB1KC Rating: 2009-02-16
No problems here Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have wired my entire shack with these connectors and I love them! Easy to crimp (I bought the tool) reliable under a load, configure them any way you need. I really don't understand the flap! If you are near me and need help just give me a shout and I'll put them togeather for you.
73
AB1KC
W4AMP Rating: 2009-02-16
scam Time Owned: more than 12 months.
These connectors are flimsy, not reliable, and I believe they are just a marketing gimmick. Somebody wants to sell crimpers, connectors, cables, and accessories at a very high price. I find them prone to failure, impossible to even mount unless you spend hundreds of dollars on accessories, and a mythical solution to a problem that does not exist in the first place. I hope ARES had a valid reason to push these things, because I do not see one at all.
N5CSU Rating: 2008-12-07
Habit Forming Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have converted my shack, mobile, workbench, boat and go kit with these things. They are fun to put together and sturdy as heck. Soldering is recommended tho our club bought a special crimp tool for $50 that makes it even easier to assemble. Highly recommended!
ZOULAS Rating: 2008-11-11
They work for me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I read the good and the bad about these units. I called the company to ask a few questions and they were very helpful (not always the case with other companies). The package arrived and I was able to figure it all out in minutes. I would give myself a B+ on my first build but I guarantee the next one I do you will not be able to pull apart with a tow truck. The thing to rememebr is that you CAN use a plain crimper on the smaller power poles. Great product if you want a NEAT station.
W2TXB Rating: 2008-10-14
So far, so good... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Been using PowerPole connectors for just over a year now as a means of making universal connections for my various 12-volt items. Rather than just crimping, I chose to solder the connections to ensure a better fit, and have had no problems with them. They are relatively cheap (as am I!) and do what they are intended to do.

By the way, a fine point, controlled temperature soldering works best when soldering these beasts.
K4LNX Rating: 2008-10-13
Very Happy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using these for around 5 years. In the cars, in the shack and in the field. I've disconnected and reconnected them many times and never had any problems. I've never had to tape or zip tie them together.

I've never soldered them, just a $6 crimper from Lowes Hardware. Practice 2-3 times and you'll quickly get the hang of it.

I really like have one power connector on everything.
K3CN Rating: 2008-10-13
Works great here Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used Anderson Powerpoles for five years now with no problems. Whenever I purchase a new rig the first thing I do is assemble powerpoles. I first crimp using the crimping tool and then solder them. Then I give them the firm tug test. If they pass then I am done. On some stubborn cables I use needle nose pliers to get them to click in. I use them with all equipment in the shack. Keeps things well organized and simple. I float a battery in parallel for emergency backup also equipped with powerpoles connected to the Rig Runner. I can't imagine operating without these.