Help! Issue with Castle 5.5 Bullet Connectors

[Meniscus]

OK, a little while ago, I picked up 3 sets of Castle Creations 5.5mm bullet connectors from a LHS. I opened the fist package and found that none of the bullets fit inside of each other. I tried crimping down the edge to ease insertion, but the female bullet will only clear the cut sections and will not go over the solid portion for a good connection.

I tried some of the other 5.5 connectors I have and while this batch of male connectors do connect, it is quite snug and nearly impossible to remove without putting in a vice. The female ends on this batch are smaller and have no hope of full connection.

I've measured and these are 5.5 bullets so I don't think it's a packaging issue, but I'm still at a loss.

I'm thinking of going to the LHS for help, but I wanted to see if anyone else has had this issue.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[tanasit]

Not sure how this happened. You should go back to the LHS and try out the others. I only experienced just the opposit where the fitting was too loose, so I slightly expanded the male slots with a thin screwdriver blade. Also none of mine was too tight that I need the vise!
I soldered all with the little blow torch NOT the soldering gun and found it a lot easier and much faster by holding one end in the metal clips, heat the connecting end, dap with the solder and stick the wire while keeping the heat and add solder if needed. I also found out the one with the wire connecting end is half cut is easier to solder than the one with 2 holes.

[Meniscus]

Anyone else had this issue?

[Meniscus]

I finally received a response today from Castle. They did not indicate that they have had an issue with the connectors, but offered to swap them out at their cost. It's good to see this level of support.

[Meniscus]

Well, here's the update. They did send the bullet connectors, but they sent 4mm.

They also didn't provide a shipping label for the old ones to go back. This is beginning to get very frustrating.

[Meniscus]

OK, even better. They agreed to send the 5.5mm bullets but ended up sending 6.5mm. Are you kidding? Going for round 4..... Why? Because I like the frustration!

[Hydromaniac]

I have had several issues with different size males and females in the same package, Castle has sent replacements but what a pain.

[Eodman]

I buy mine from Steven most times - or go to my local distributor South River R/C and haven't had a problem.

I bought some from another LHS and found their 5.5 mm ones don't fit OSE's or South Rivers ???????

[T.S.Davis]

In Castle's defense I believe they are in the midst of a complete relocation. Not sure if they're done with that. I know that's not much of an excuse.

I'm Castle slappy but I don't really like the Castle connectors.

[Meniscus]

Well, the only reason why I decided to get Castle connectors was 1. available immediately at the LHS and 2. supporting the LHS. The LHS has offered to help me get them swapped out, but in the interest of not adding additional overhead to their business, I contacted Castle directly to resolve the issue.

In all, I have 3 sets of 3, 5.5mm bullets that are unusable. I now have 3 sets of 4mm and 3 sets of 6.5 that I haven't opened up. I'm going to be sending them all back, but my problem still remains that I don't have the 5.5mm bullets I need. LOL

I probably have 3 or 4 different types of 5.5mm bullets and they all seem to work with each other. Only one male connector seems to fit a little loose, but I haven't used that one.

All I'm trying to do is standardize my connections so that others locally can borrow my stuff if they have the need. Oh well, I guess it will be a while more...