Best Connectors?

[domp444]

I currently have Deans Plugs on my SuperVee 27 and all my batteries. The plugs usually get very hot after I run my boat, and I think it's a problem. I'd like to FINALLY learn to solder and get these done right. Also, when I get my Kintec Pursuit I'd like to change the deans to new plugs.

Which new connectors should I get? I would like the best there are, since I don't wanna have to do this again.

Here is what I am planning on buying so far...

(1) Team Checkpoint TC-950 Soldering Station

(2) Novak Lead Free Silver Solder

(3) Progressive R/C Soldering Station

http://progressiverc.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=128&category_id=12&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

(4) 5.5mm Bullet Conectors

Is this all I will need? Am I missing anything?

[electric]

I can tell you the 5.5mm bullet connectors work very well and are used by quite a few people. They have never failed me and are much easier to solder than the deans plugs. I have run up to 190amps peak through them.

The only downside is you have to "pay attention" when pluging things together.

Others here, will offer a few other options to consider...

[m4a1usr]

Bullet connectors are going to be your best option. What size? That depends on if you want to consolidate all your motor/esc/batt wires to one specific size. Its a smart move. Alot of us like 5.5mm bullets, but you decide with respect to your fleet and power requirements. I like 8mm bullets on my high amperage setups and 5.5mm on the rest. Standardizing is a good choice.

John

[domp444]

I can tell you the 5.5mm bullet connectors work very well and are used by quite a few people. They have never failed me and are much easier to solder than the deans plugs. I have run up to 190amps peak through them.

The only downside is you have to "pay attention" when pluging things together.

Others here, will offer a few other options to consider...

Yea I have heard a lot about the 5.5mm connectors. I think I will go with those. And yes, I see how you have to pay attention when plugging them in, haha.

Bullet connectors are going to be your best option. What size? That depends on if you want to consolidate all your motor/esc/batt wires to one specific size. Its a smart move. Alot of us like 5.5mm bullets, but you decide with respect to your fleet and power requirements. I like 8mm bullets on my high amperage setups and 5.5mm on the rest. Standardizing is a good choice.

John

I currently have an SV27 and have a Pursuit on order. They both have Deans plugs on them, so I will remove those and put the 5.5mm plugs on. I use Turnigy batteries, and they all come with 5.5mm plugs on them, so they would work right away without having to change anything.

I don't want to change the wires on the motor and esc, since honestly, I don't really know how. It seems like too much work for me right now.

I've looked this up, but just want to make sure - when connecting the batteries, since they run in series, I would connect them this way...

RED wire from ESC to RED wire on BAT.
BLACK wire from ESC to BLACK wire on other BAT.
RED wire from one BAT to BLACK wire on other BAT.

This sounds right to me, but I just don't wanna blow something up, haha.

[egneg]

I agree about the 5.5 bullets but you don't need an expensive soldering station, any 100 watt plus solder gun will do. http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062752

[domp444]

I agree about the 5.5 bullets but you don't need an expensive soldering station, any 100 watt plus solder gun will do. http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062752

Oh alright, thanks. Much better than spending $80. Haha.

Can I use this solder...

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062712

And also, the Team Checkpoint one comes with that sponge thing, do I need one of those or not?

[tharmer]

I've used the bullets and in 18 months of racing, I've shorted them three times. That's enough! I am now retro-fiotting wil E5 polorized connectors. I think HK has them.
-t

[LarrysDrifter]

I use mostly 8mm bullets and some 5.5mm mixed in too.A friend and me share alot of things,so we have our equipment with the same size and type connectors.Castle Creations 5.5mm bullets and the one that come from HobbyKing are slightly different in length.If you are to buy a small stock of 5.5's,get them from the same place so there are no differences.And make sure to put the shrink tube on far enough up the bullets so you cant see any of the bullet when they are plugged in.Another good idea is to double up on the shrink tube too.It tends to wear quick if you run your boat often.As far as soldering,you can use a good iron,but its not necessary,itll just take a little bit of time.I use a propane torch and use needle nose pliers or set the bullet on the concrete and heat it up,put some solder in,then a little more heat,then put the tinned wire in.Last,add a little more heat to melt the tinning on the wire and your done.This is my method,some may share this way of doing it,other may have a different method.In the end,youll come up with your own way that works best for you.

[domp444]

I've used the bullets and in 18 months of racing, I've shorted them three times. That's enough! I am now retro-fiotting wil E5 polorized connectors. I think HK has them.
-t

What do you mean by shorted them? Did you accidentally plug them in wrong or did something go wrong while running them?

[domp444]

I use mostly 8mm bullets and some 5.5mm mixed in too.A friend and me share alot of things,so we have our equipment with the same size and type connectors.Castle Creations 5.5mm bullets and the one that come from HobbyKing are slightly different in length.If you are to buy a small stock of 5.5's,get them from the same place so there are no differences.And make sure to put the shrink tube on far enough up the bullets so you cant see any of the bullet when they are plugged in.Another good idea is to double up on the shrink tube too.It tends to wear quick if you run your boat often.As far as soldering,you can use a good iron,but its not necessary,itll just take a little bit of time.I use a propane torch and use needle nose pliers or set the bullet on the concrete and heat it up,put some solder in,then a little more heat,then put the tinned wire in.Last,add a little more heat to melt the tinning on the wire and your done.This is my method,some may share this way of doing it,other may have a different method.In the end,youll come up with your own way that works best for you.

I really need to learn how to solder, since I see a lot of this hobby includes doing it. I think this'll be a great way to learn to do it and accomplish something while doing it. (I won't go straight to soldering batteries, I'll practice a bit first, haha.) I'm sure I'll find a good method, and your method just sounds really complicated, ahaha.

So on the batteries I'll replace the HK plugs with the ones I order, just to make sure everything works together. I believe I'll go with the 5.5mm ones, does that sound good? I think it'll make a big difference, especially with plug heat.

[LarrysDrifter]

My method is very easy.I understand your new to soldering though.Just take your time practicing and youll be amazed at how good youll do.Good luck.

[domp444]

My method is very easy.I understand your new to soldering though.Just take your time practicing and youll be amazed at how good youll do.Good luck.

Maybe it was just your really long paragraph that confused me. Thank you! I hope it works out.

[danielplace1962]

I've used the bullets and in 18 months of racing, I've shorted them three times. That's enough! I am now retro-fiotting wil E5 polorized connectors. I think HK has them.
-t

What do you mean by shorted them? Did you accidentally plug them in wrong or did something go wrong while running them?

Probably just means the amount of bare on the edge of the females coming into contact with the fully exposed male end while handling, charging or installing and removing them. I found some really heavy wall shrink wrap that solved that issue for me. Now to make contact it would almost need to be intentional. I hope that is was it cause reverse polarity is real bad thing.

[domp444]

Probably just means the amount of bare on the edge of the females coming into contact with the fully exposed male end while handling, charging or installing and removing them. I found some really heavy wall shrink wrap that solved that issue for me. Now to make contact it would almost need to be intentional. I hope that is was it cause reverse polarity is real bad thing.

Oh I see. Now I get why it's important to cover the whole female end with shrink wrap.

And with shrink wrap, can I simply use a hair dryer to shrink it?

[electric]

By the way. I use these saftey caps over the male plug coming out of the battery when you are storing and transporting. They fit perfectly over the 5.5's.

http://kintecracing.com/Electrical.html

Safety Caps Reusable rubber caps that keeps your bullet connectors from arcing to each other or any other metal object.
Approx 1 3/4 long. .75 cents per pair, or 16 caps for $5.00.