Apparently, based on the input here, I'm doing it all wrong by crimp and solder. But since I started that, I've not had a failure (back when Molex was king). Most times the actual connection is secured from motion (not vibration) while the tails are allowed to move, if needed. Yes, I use the proper crimp tool for the connector, but I doubt it is certified.
Rick NHC -----Original Message----- From: Fred Townsend Rick I use Teflon wire for my battery leads. Teflon wire is silver plated. The Anderson power poles are silver plated too. While I can not quote chapter and verse most NASA applications require crimp (with certified crimper). There are at least two reasons. Solder wets and runs within silver braid very quickly so the solder runs into the insulated part of the wire and causes brittle fractures inside the insulation. Also the solder and flux can get into the power pole contact area and increase contact resistance. Flux has been known to flow out of solder connections years after installation. The flux flows when the contact heats. The two effects have been known to cause thermal runaway. Yes crimp is better than solder especially for high power DC. BTW most silver bearing solders the most common being Sn96Ag4 (not to be confused with silver solder) carry at most 4% silver. That doesn't offset the other 96% being a poorer conductor than copper. 73, Fred, AE6QL. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
