Bullet Connector Ratings

[ReddyWatts]

I have been trying to find Bullet Connector ratings. Different brands have big difference in ratings. Let me know if you have any info to add or change.

BRAND-----------------------3.5mm-----4mm------ 5mm------ 5.5mm-----6mm-----6.5mm------8mm
CASTLE CREATIONS---------------------- 75A-------120A------150A-------------------200A-------300A
OSE (Great Planes)-----------???---------???---------------------???---------???--------------------- ???
HXT (HOBBY KING)-----------35----------93A-------------------100A-------120A--------------------170A
EC3-------------------60A
EC5-------------------120A
DEANS----------------60A
TRAXXAS-------------100A

12 GUAGE WIRE -----125A
10 GUAGE WIRE----- 200A
8 GUAGE WIRE------ 300A

[ray schrauwen]

You've left out the European manufacturers. They have some of the highest ratings.

I have a lot of the old HK AM-1005 which work very but, recently they have changed ( decreased) the surface area on this party number as well as the HXT line. If I buy anything new it would be Castle or European made connectors.

[ReddyWatts]

OSE is using Great Planes connectors. Do you know ratings? I will look into the European connectors.

[Make-a-Wake]

What does "BRAND 3.5mm 4mm........etc" mean................?

[ReddyWatts]

I tried to upload it like a spreadsheet but it did not work. check the photo.

[RaceMechaniX]

To be honest, all the claimed ratings are 99% marketing hype. Maybe 1 or 2 are semi honest, but I will tell you from experience most are not. The most important metric to focus on is low resistance and none of the manufacturers quote theirs.
I have seen high quality 3.5mm plugs carry more current than poorly made 8mm plugs.

The important qualities to look for are:
1. Tight fit
2. Consistent fit, meaning the plugs force increases steadily as the connectors go together.
3. Wall thickness, heavier gauge wall thickness has more cross-section to carry current. They also tend to maintain spring force by resisting deformation.
4. Diameter, usually larger is better if statements above are true.
5. Contact length, longer is typically better if the above conditions are true.

TG

[ReddyWatts]

Tyler, will you shed some light on the brands you prefer and what guide others could use on size for amps?

[RaceMechaniX]

The brands and sizes I have found to be the best for high current are:

New style LMT 6mm contacts. http://www.lehner-shop.com/Accessori...ml?language=en
Etti Ultra low resistance 3.5mm high current connectors with springs. http://www.etti.com.hk/product_info....roducts_id=341
8mm bullets from cheapbatterypacks.com They have not been in stock for a while though. http://cheapbatterypacks.com/product...t-Bullets.aspx
Jet 6mm connectors. https://www.rocketcityracing.com/car...4&category_id=
Castle 6.5mm http://www.castlecreations.com/products/ccbullet.html

[NativePaul]

ETTI make great hulls and good hardware, but are a pretty small company and a lot of the stuff they sell is made elsewhere, those ETTI connectors are actually made by MP JET, who are one of the few that give resistances for their connectors, the 1.8mm are 20A .32 mO, the 2.5mm are 50A .2mO, the 3.5mm are 80A and surprisingly .22mO, and the 5.5mm are 200A .06mO, all are of the "ETTI" sprung outer type rather than the older rocketcity type.

[ReddyWatts]

Thanks, Ray, Tyler and Paul.

[RaceMechaniX]

Joerg has done some extensive testing of actual resistance values of bullets back in 2010. Here is the link to the page: http://www.eco-idc.de/eco-news/6mm-stecker.html

TG

[ReddyWatts]

Thanks again! Has anyone measured the resistance of Castle Creations, OSE (Great Planes) or HXT Hobby King Connectors?

[ray schrauwen]

Tyler, have you ever hard wired an ESC & motor? If so, was it a good thing?

[longballlumber]

Tyler, have you ever hard wired an ESC & motor? If so, was it a good thing?

Good question Ray, I have wondered and indirectly asked the question too. As a matter of fact, didn't you do this already?

Later,
Ball

[RaceMechaniX]

Yes once I did hardwire a 1521 to an older hydra 240, but it was a royal pain to work on although very clean. Today I use heavy gauge 8mm or 6mm plugs and have not seen any problems.

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