Damn turnigys (thick wires)

[jamespl]

Why do turnigy insist on have such thick wire on their batteries? Is such a pain to solder on ec3 connectors. I think it may be easier to take the ec3 off the esc and go with ec5.

[bwells]

Yeah, I know. I think my Flightmax came with 12 gauge but the Turnigy ones are 10 gauge which from what I understand is a good thing. You only have to solder them once so use a big iron

[jamespl]

Just bought a new gas one 25-80w so should do the job but it's not doing the job, I'm getting a bit bad tempered with it at the mo so I have given it a break for a bit. My bro is an electrician so I think I will ask him. I'm a gas engineer so used to soldering pipes but this is a lot harder to master! I don't think trying to solder 3mm connectors onto 7mm wire helps!

[Doby]

Bigger is better with wire size as it can handle current drains better....maybe you need bigger connectors, which again offer benefits over smaller ones.

[JimClark]

Ditto you are using too small connectors


Bigger is better with wire size as it can handle current drains better....maybe you need bigger connectors, which again offer benefits over smaller ones.

[jamespl]

The boats esc came with an ec3 connector on it so would assume the connectors themselves can handle the power draw, and the batteries are only 25c 2s 5800mah. Looks like ec5's then.

[scullyeng]

Use a micro torch for big connectors, instead of a soldering iron. Much easier & faster.

[Fluid]

Bad assumption. The ec3 connectors are only rated to 60 amps continuous. Your packs are rated at 145 amps continuous. Those are airplane connectors, too whimpy for boats. Go much bigger.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLAEC302

I have zero problems soldering 5.5mm gold bullets onto 10 ga wire, do it all the time....with a 40W iron.

.

[jamespl]

Use a micro torch for big connectors, instead of a soldering iron. Much easier & faster.

I have a torch connection for my soldering iron so will try that along with some ec5's

[bigwaveohs]

My 40w Weller ($18) runs up to 900 degrees...EC-5's and 10ga wire are no problem...

[NativePaul]

There's 40W irons and 40W irons, your gas iron may be producing the equivalent of 40W but all the gas irons I have seen have lightweight tips to get up to temprature fast, but you need a big heavy tip to solder large gauge wire you the job will wick all the heat out of the tip in no time leaving it too cold to finish the joint, you need an iron with a big lump of copper on the end of it.

[tharmer]

EC5's will take the thick wire perfectly.
-t

[LarrysDrifter]

I use 8mm bullets from HobbyKing on esc to battery connections,and 5.5mm bullets for esc to motor connections.I ve had zero problems with my set up.And I use a propane torch for soldering bullets.I figure its best to go over board on connectors amp wise than be sorry.

[Alexgar]

frys 80 watt is like 17$

[drwayne]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/IRODA-Professional-Gas-Soldering-Iron-Kit-185W-/330489884028

Flame heating the plug.. add solder.. insert wire .. Bah.

I use equivalent of above link.
Super heat transfer, super quick.
10-15% Ag solder.. ( wont flow if plug heated under massive loads )
Put a spot of solder onto tip
touch plug with cable inserted.. count 5.. feed solder into wire at plug interface till all the bubbles disperse..
Perfect milspec rated solder job.
W

[Jeff Wohlt]

I use my propane torch Fill with solder and stick her in. The more wire actaully touching the connector the better. Smaller wires I lay off to the side so it has as much direct contact with the connector as possible. I do not like current carrying thru solder only if I can help it.

[andym]

And the Dr Wayne dude should know, he started his electronics career soldering 240 volt Vibrators !!
Seriously though that's how I do it but with a 120 w iron, hotter the better if you what you are doing

[jamespl]

Just put some ec5's on my batteries and I couldn't believe how much easier it was Than trying to solder those damn ec3's. Just used the blowtorch adaptor and was sorted, ec5 all the way for me from now on I think.