Anderson PPs or XT60/XT90s - which are better?

[e9999]

I have been using a lot of Anderson Powerpoles, mostly 45A ones for various DC testing and charging projects. I have tons of various devices and wires that I have all terminated in PPs so I can mix and match to my heart's content. I like them a lot, although every so often there may be a quirk -possibly due to my using mostly Anderson clones and not the real thing, admittedly- like a couple of days ago I had a solar system stop working and it boiled down to a PP connector contact that was not staying put properly.

OTOH I have never used XT60s and XT90s, never felt the need TBH. But I keep on seeing them everywhere and I'm getting intrigued. For one thing, they are soldered so would not be causing issues like the one above. And the amps rating is a bit higher than for the 45A PPs for not much bigger an envelope. I'm guessing they are just a more robust design, as I'm not that fond of the little thin contacts in the PPs. I may order some XT60s and play with them a bit but I'm curious as to what the consensus is about them before I start to invest in that platform.

So, if you have used both, what are your thoughts as to which type is better? And why?

 

[spressomon]

Like you, I've found the PP 15/30/45 connectors a little on the physically small side; especially the conductors. But, I don't have any new applications and not about to switch up now. But, if I was just starting out I'd probably look elsewhere than PP for the smaller wire gauge/current carrying 15/30/45.

 

[e9999]

there is the XT30 for the smaller wires also. But the advantage of the PPs is that the 15A and the 45A are physically compatible. So if you find yourself between 0 and 45A a lot, the PPs have it there.

OTOH, the XTs can have some fancier features too, like no spark connectors, that can be good.

I would argue that the crimping with the PPs is probably easier and faster than the soldering of the XTs, and can still be very good if you use the correct crimper. But the final mated connection contact is better with the XTs I think.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

I like the Anderson Power Pole SB50 connectors.

 

[LandLocked93]

I've used XT's with RC stuff, mostly drones. They have their place w/o a doubt. And may even be useful outside the RC world. But I would be cautious with current loads over constant 25, 30 amps. Yes they are rated for more. But in RC, current fluctuates wildly. Constant current load would be a concern with XTs imo.

I've only used Anderson SB stuff on my rig, 50 & 275. Nothing says they can't be soldered.
The PP units I haven't used but can appreciate their separable nature of + & -, unlike the SB units.
But couldn't those be soldered, as well as crimped?

 

[e9999]

I've never done it, but you certainly could solder PPs if you wanted to do that. I don't think it's necessary, though, if you use a proper crimp.

You would want to make sure that the unfolded crimp wings don't get in the way of inserting the connector, though, if you don't crimp and just solder.

 

[LandLocked93]

I've never done it, but you certainly could solder PPs if you wanted to do that. I don't think it's necessary, though, if you use a proper crimp.

You would want to make sure that the unfolded crimp wings don't get in the way of inserting the connector, though, if you don't crimp and just solder.

One mans proper crimp is another mans "good enough with Radio Shack" strippers. lol
I've seen it many times.

Agree that a soldered pin afterward must still fit properly into its housing as if it were crimped to begin with.
Saw a video from someone somewhere that went over crimped v. soldered connectors.
I'm willing to honestly say that - when properly done - one is not better than the other.

 

[e9999]

well, in my case at least, I can do a nice crimp much faster than a good solder job. If I have the crimper on the bench it takes literally 5 secs. With soldering, I would have to wait for things to heat up, find solder, fiddle with flux, set up and use helping hands, sort of crimp anyway.. it's just way more bother....

 

[LandLocked93]

well, in my case at least, I can do a nice crimp much faster than a good solder job. If I have the crimper on the bench it takes literally 5 secs. With soldering, I would have to wait for things to heat up, find solder, fiddle with flux, set up and use helping hands, sort of crimp anyway.. it's just way more bother....

Indeed

And for solder fans, this goes a long way:

Amazon.com

Frankly wish this existed when I was building my last drone, ffs.
Stacked PD/FC/SC board group is an unmitigated PITA without more than 2 hands.
Anyhoo, back to the thread.

 

[ntsqd]

A crimp made with the correct crimper for the terminal is equal to a proper soldering job.

I use the XT60's on my RC crawler's Li battery. I've pondered their use in other applications, but rarely have any need for such a thing. I'm more likely to go with PP's sourced from powerwerx for anything in the 1:1 scale realm.

 

[ducktapeguy]

I've standardized on Anderson PP's for almost all my stuff. I don't know if they're better, but the XT60's aren't a big enough improvement to make me consider switching. Whereas if I had been using XT60's, I'd probably switch over to the Powerpoles because they do have some key advantages.

For automotive in-cab wiring I've never needed for more than 45 amps so having one size plug simplifies everything. I can install the 45A contacts on the receptacle, and then match whatever contacts I need for the accessory plug. Also the fact that they're genderless so you never have to worry about matching connectors is pretty amazing. I didn't realize how convenient that is until I started wiring a lot of accessories. Typically you'd get a matching pairs of male/female connectors, but if you're installing a receptacle plug in the car, and have a lot of connecting accessories, you'd end up with a lot of unused female receptacles and a shortage of male plugs. With the Andersons it doesn't matter since both plugs are the same.

 

[e9999]

^
Gonna play a bit of devil's advocate here even though I like and am heavily into PPs myself:
Same here with less than 45A most of the time but TBF you could just use XT60s for everything too since they are soldered, and that's also more than 45A. Downside though is that they are more expensive than the XT30s -and maybe PPs?- which are also not physically compatible IIRC.
It's also true that genderless is more convenient (don't go there), but TBF you can buy XT60s males and females separately, so it's not like you are limited to buying them in pairs and have large numbers of one kind unused. But I'll say that not having to keep track of which end is which is nice.

 

[ducktapeguy]

I've only used the XT60's on RC cars, in that application I've never felt the need to change to anything else. I'm sure the XT60's will work fine in any application where the power poles work, but if I were starting fresh knowing what I know now I'd still lean towards the PP's for their modularity and accessories. I know I could buy XT's males and females separately, but having just one type of connector simplifies everything.