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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
WA7EQX Rating: 2021-03-13
Blade Fuse Box Block better Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just go and look for Blade Fuse Box Block for cars on online auction. Get the ones with a positive and negative main connector. Cheaper than the cost of the die set let alone connectors and crimper. $25 or less for the block. I have one of the powerpoles set and regret it as it is hard to work with small wires. Fuses drop into the unit and are hard to get out. A learning curve. I am stuck with my purchase now. Do they work? Yes but better ways to go.
AE6BH Rating: 2020-10-22
They've become an industry standard so I use them... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I think PowerPoles are ok, not great, but they get the job done. The main reason I use them at all is that everyone else uses them and that make things interchangeable in the field where standardization is good, even if the product itself is mediocre. In my past career I've been responsible for many high reliability connector systems for critical systems and PowerPoles would never be considered due to their single beam contact. Any hi-rel connector system needs at least two independent sprung contact points, preferably four contact points and non-corroding gold plated. For my own equipment I've begun using Amass XT90 or EC5 connector which are gold plated, soldered, not crimped connectors, with four sprung contacts. These connector systems are competitively priced to PowerPoles and very popular with the RC and Drone community and readily available. All in all a much higher reliability connector.
KB1GMX Rating: 2020-07-01
they work well and take power Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'd be going for a 4.5 so it's 4 or 5.

I use them and have used them for at least 10
years. They carry rated power well without
melting as I've had Molex do that in the past.
The connection is solid. I use them on all my
gear.

One ding is locking source to destination
connector is not secure. I have a trick I use
that works well. Instead of the pin to insure
the two are joined I use a 4-40 screw with a
post so that I have a point to tie from one to
the other side.

I'm not a appliance op, I build and run gear at
QRP and QRO so this connector is a good match.

Update,

Now nearly 20 years of use, still using them.
I've since made a piano wire latch item for my use to lock them together. The ones supplied on my TT radios are solidly secure.


For those that complain about them coming apart, I wonder how they fair with the average 120V power plug that abounds around the house. Same problem with extension cords too.

Allison
K3YUB Rating: 2020-07-01
Never had a problem Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using Anderson Power Poles for years and have never had a problem. Install them correctly and you will not have problems. Use the proper crimper and you will not have problems.
N8AUC Rating: 2020-07-01
Never had a problem with them that I didn't create Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using Anderson Power Poles for about 7 years, and have never had a problem that I didn't create by screwing up a crimp connection. When installed correctly, they are robust and reliable. I have fitted all my ham gear with 30 amp Anderson Power Poles. They enable me to take my rig from the DC power distribution in my shack, and use them with my portable battery box for use in the field. It also makes it easy to switch my shack to battery backup power. Just unplug the power poles from the power supply, and plug in my battery box, and bingo I'm on emergency power.

Note - if you're going to go with Anderson Power Poles, make sure to buy the proper crimping tool for installing them. It makes doing a proper crimp connection so much easier and more reliable. Don't cheap out, get the proper crimping tool. You'll be glad you did.
WE8Q Rating: 2020-06-30
Work great for me! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used Anderson Powerpoles for many years with no problems. I never just crimp them on...I skip the crimp and always solder them on and use a roll pin to keep them together. I have never had any problems with poor contact, overheating, or anything else. Everything that operates on 12VDC in my shack has powerpoles for connection to power. And, I use them in the mobile with no problems. I always use original Anderson Powerpoles and not the knockoffs.
W8OB Rating: 2020-06-30
not for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
At first the idea sounds great but over a very short time poor or loose electrical connections from these connectors takes over no matter how careful you install them. Watch for flaky gear operation and the ever so slight smell of hot plastic, bingo guess where the problem is. I suspose they may be ok for very low current operation but to day to day use of 100w transmitters not a good idea.
NO9E Rating: 2020-06-30
Helps simplify shack Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I standardized on them to simplify shack. Eliminated zillions of separate often unreliable connectors. Extra safety with Powerex fused box. Some problems with soldered connections but no problems with crimping.
K4EQ Rating: 2020-06-30
Love them! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After reading some of the previous reviews, I was surprised there were so many negative comments. I've used Anderson Powerpoles for many years and have never had a issue. I put them on every 12v piece of equipment in my shack and connect them to one of my two Rigrunners from West Mountain Radio. Absolutely no complaints from me.
K4PIH Rating: 2020-06-30
Not a good choice for many applicatins Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Always have trouble with them pulling apart with the slightest tug even in a fixed installation in my shack. I can't imagine using them in a mobile installation with all the vibration and environmental issues. The contacts in the plug tend to build up corrosion due to poor fit very similar to the old aluminum wire to copper issues years ago. Had a connector burn up from trying to pull too much power through a corroded connection.