Why Hams Prefer Anderson PowerPoles Over Other Connectors

A hams best friend or nightmare

So, I finally caved in and started using Anderson PowerPoles. Many of you know I have long resisted this. I’m a fan of using Delphi Metri connectors which are weather tight and have a locking mechanism. However, they do have their limitations. The main issue being they can’t easily be used like a plug. This is where PowerPoles can’t be beat. There are no other standards that allow you to just plug in a device. Well, accept a 12v power plug similar to a wall plug but with slanted prongs. That standard seems to only be used very limitedly on generators and mini fridges. So, there are no simple power strips or fused distribution blocks with a wide range of features added on, available. There are for the PowerPole standard which is why hams use them.

Amateur Radio commandments

So, let’s talk about one of my favorite Radio Commandments. That being:

Thou shall not remove or alter the factory power connector on any radio!

So why does the commandment exist. Well, it’s simple PowerPoles are not designed for permanent installation. Especially in high vibration environments. The factory connector often has a retention clip mechanism to hold them tightly in place. And yes, I know PowerPoles makes a locking insert for their connectors. If you are doing a permanent install in any kind of vehicle you should not be using PowerPoles. Especially if the PowerPoles will not be easily accessible. There are other reasons to also not changing the factory connector. but that’s the one we are going to focus on here.

Okay moving on. So, why did I give in. Well simply I began to have too many devices that needed to pull from the main power supply. PowerPole allow you to easily plug and unplug devices as needed. That is the reason I gave in.

It is easy to build connectors with PowerPoles. In fact, I found that the best tool seemed to be one I already had. Not the one I bought for the job. The one I use for the Delphi Metri connectors worked best. This tool seemed to properly crimp both the outer and inner crimp points of terminal. It did this all-in-one action. where the one that claimed to be for PowerPoles didn’t crimp the inner part of the terminal. Maybe it had a two step process but I couldn’t figure it out. The only drawback to the IWISS was it only did AWG 24-14. I also need 12 AWG. But even though not designed for 12 I was able to use the IWS-1424BN Metri-Pack and Weather Pack crimper. A link to the crimper I used is below.

As for the F-1012 12-Position 45A Power Distribution Block Module. So far it seems to be pretty good. I don’t have any complaints about it. It’s not the brand name version. Though I was able to get it overnight were getting the Powerwerx version would have taken a week. Since it’s not carried by amazon. I due plan to by the RigRunner 4008 especially since I’m now more comfortable with PowerPoles in general

IWS-1424BN Metri-Pack and Weather Pack crimper
F-1012 12-Position 45A Power Distribution Block Module
West Mountain Radio RIGrunner 4008 | Powerwerx
150A High Watt Meter Detector Power Analyzer – Affiliate Link

So as for the nightmare part. They aren’t actually a nightmare when used properly where they belong.