Vin, KR2F asked: Can I get a sampling of exactly how you connect your portable rigs, etc to your batteries? I know about Anderson Power Poles, but I am wondering if I need a special crimping tool for them. Plus, I am getting weary of ordering a small quantity of something, and paying upwards of 50% more of the original purchase price on shipping.
Ideas? ----------------- The crimp tool issue is going to be, in part, personal preference. However, I do not like to use crimp connections anywhere I can avoid it. A "crimp" is, in theory, as good as solder if it's done exactly right. Done right, the two surfaces are brought together under such pressure that there is excellent metal-to-metal contact over the entire area with so much force that the atoms actually collide over a large area, excluding all air or opportunity for corrosion. In short, it's *almost* a solder connection without the solder. The problem is that unless you achieve the perfect "crimp", there will be voids that reduce the surface contact, leading to increased resistance. Also air can enter and the oxygen will start oxidation that further increases the resistance, especially in the presence of heat caused by the current flow across the crimp. Soldering is so simple and so easy to do that I solder instead of crimp for any connection that I want to remain a good connection over time. I note that Elecraft also recommends soldering Anderson connectors instead of crimping them. And, yes, I've never grown any fondness for twist-on or crimp-type coaxial connectors either <G>. At the other extreme, I'll happily use alligator clips for temporary connections: RF or DC. After all, it's obvious if they aren't making good contact. For DC supplies, voltages droop under load. Of course, you want to use the right size clip. For high-current DC use the large size intended for high currents. But for most portable operation at QRP levels, I find the standard size alligator clips FB. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
