Review on BougeRV Solar Crimping Tool for 14-10AWG PV Cable - Enhanced Solar Panel Crimper for Best Performance by Greg Harris

This crimping tool has gotten a lot of rave reviews so I decided to take a chance and use it to crimp solar MC4 connectors. If you use cheap 20 amp stamped metal MC4 connectors this will probably work just fine. If you are using the much more powerful 30Amp solid MC4 connectors, which are solid bar machined on a lathe, this tool will not work properly. I used the latter and could barely get the crimping tool to close them. In fact, I had to use a ratcheting woodworking clamp to clamp the crimping machine handles in the closed position to generate enough crimping force. I am also an avid rock climber and have a very strong grip. I managed to make the half dozen crimps I needed, but it was slow, painful, and patchy as the tool obviously strained. While the connections are explosion-proof, I imagine this tool won't make many of them before it finally fails. If you are using lightweight MC4 connectors this should work fine and I would recommend it especially for the price. If you are using heavier MC4 connectors, find another crimping tool that has a stronger construction and more mechanical advantages and you will be much happier.