Just dropped $400 on a lithium battery crimper and wish I did it years ago

Was using the cheap manual ones for years, fighting with stubborn terminals on big gauge wire. Finally broke down and bought a Greenlee EK410L after a job in Phoenix where I ruined three connectors in the heat. That thing pays for itself if you do more than two battery backups a month. Anyone else switch to a powered crimper and never look back?

3 comments

3 Comments

simonp761d ago

Ngl, I still prefer the manual ones honestly.

henryp401d ago

Did you catch that article a few months back where they tested connectors made with cheap manual crimpers vs powered ones? The difference in pull-out strength was wild. I read it on some electrical engineering blog, the powered ones held way better under load and heat cycles. Makes sense when you think about it, that consistent pressure every time. Your Phoenix story sounds like a nightmare though, heat makes those cheap connectors go soft and the manual tools just make it worse.

wendy1311d ago

Used to be one of those guys who swore by the old manual ones, said hydraulics were overkill. Then I spent a whole Saturday wrestling with some 4/0 terminals on a solar setup and bent the handle on my cheap crimper. Borrowed a friend's battery powered one the next day and finished what was left in fifteen minutes. Ended up buying my own that week. The difference in connection quality is real too, no more worrying if a terminal is slightly loose.