Best Connectors?

[domp444]

And the final verdict is.... drum roll.... I went with the 5.5mm bullet connectors!

Money wasn't the issue, just advice and experiences from a couple of people I spoke with on the phone. The benefits of the bullet connectors seem to outweigh the negatives.

[domp444]

The hair dryer takes forever. Its not hot enough to work effectively. Home depot sells a micro torch in the tool corral that works awesome!

I was just at home depot, and after looking at the heat guns I decided to get the one you showed me. The heat guns were really big and I don't need one. I came across the micro torch and I knew someone had suggested it, haha!

And also, I picked up a soldering iron. I got the Weller WPS18MP. I saw the other one that looked like a gun, and I thought it'd be uncomfortable to use. This one has a good hand grip.

[forescott]

I was just at home depot, and after looking at the heat guns I decided to get the one you showed me. The heat guns were really big and I don't need one. I came across the micro torch and I knew someone had suggested it, haha!

And also, I picked up a soldering iron. I got the Weller WPS18MP. I saw the other one that looked like a gun, and I thought it'd be uncomfortable to use. This one has a good hand grip.

Yeah, I love the mini torch. Its also good for softening up old epoxy when removing motor mounts/etc. Just be careful with your distance when using it!!

[tharmer]

In my Local Hardware Store, I found, in the soldering dept., a kevlar mat about 12 inches square to use when torching where you don't want to burn the background down. About $15 IIRC.
-t

[bigwaveohs]

Use these and you will have no problems. No shrink needed. Just solder and snap in. Easy to remove and re-use too. HK has em for a couple of bucks a pair. EC-5 connector

I use these but how in the world do you remove/reuse them after they are snapped into the shell?

[tharmer]

I use a punch or a hex driver (depending on whether it's a male or female I'm removing) and support the shell loosely in a vice. One reasonable tap and they fall right out.
-t

[forescott]

I use a punch or a hex driver (depending on whether it's a male or female I'm removing) and support the shell loosely in a vice. One reasonable tap and they fall right out.
-t

exactly what I do!!

[domp444]

Yeah, I love the mini torch. Its also good for softening up old epoxy when removing motor mounts/etc. Just be careful with your distance when using it!!

In my Local Hardware Store, I found, in the soldering dept., a kevlar mat about 12 inches square to use when torching where you don't want to burn the background down. About $15 IIRC.
-t

Yup, I have that soldering stand and I'm gonna use the wire holder to hold the wire while I'm torching it. That sounds safe... for now. Haha.

I soldered my first 2 connectors today! They were the ESC ones, since they were the only wires I could cut. Gotta get a better wire cutter tomorrow morning. I think I did it alright. I filled up the plug with solder like a cup, and then put the wire in while at the same time removing the solder tip. I pulled to make sure they were on and they wouldn't come apart, so I think it worked

I will put the shrink wrap on tomorrow since I didn't feel like doing it today.

[BHChieftain]

Yup, I have that soldering stand and I'm gonna use the wire holder to hold the wire while I'm torching it. That sounds safe... for now. Haha.

I soldered my first 2 connectors today! They were the ESC ones, since they were the only wires I could cut. Gotta get a better wire cutter tomorrow morning. I think I did it alright. I filled up the plug with solder like a cup, and then put the wire in while at the same time removing the solder tip. I pulled to make sure they were on and they wouldn't come apart, so I think it worked

I will put the shrink wrap on tomorrow since I didn't feel like doing it today.

Don't be afraid to leave the heat on a bit so that the solder that is in the wire (the "tinning" process) gets a chance to melt and bond with the solder on the connector...

If you are not tinning the wire first, you should.

Chief

[domp444]

Don't be afraid to leave the heat on a bit so that the solder that is in the wire (the "tinning" process) gets a chance to melt and bond with the solder on the connector...

If you are not tinning the wire first, you should.

Chief

What I did was I filled the bullet connectors with solder and then held my iron inside to keep it hot. Then I quickly took it out and put the wire in. It seemed to hold fine, and then I put solder around it to make sure it was in place.

I heated each one for a while, so I hope it's all good. I spent a couple of hours today putting the bullets on everything, but finally got it done. They look good!