Soldering 5.5 mm bullet connectors- best way

[AB Bob]

I'm going to be converting my batteries to 5.5 mm bullet connectors.
I'm wondering what type iron and what type tip would be the best for this action.
Thanks for your input!
Bob

[revoltrunner]

here's what I use , works great.

[AB Bob]

Thanks for your reply.
Do you use any type of jig to hold things while you do the soldering? I was wondering if those so called "helping hands" were worth their $$$ ?

[revoltrunner]

I just put the bullet in vise grip pliers laying on
a hunk of board. just clamp it lightly though.

[785boats]

I just drilled a set of holes in the corner of my bench for 4mm 5.5mm & 8mm male & female bullets. A snug fit & deep enough to hold them upright. Free.

[flraptor07]

I've got this Maxtra 952D, I've had it for almost 2 years now and it's worked flawless. Can't beat it for the $, and I really like the hot air wand for doing heat shrink. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-In-1-SMD-H...item2577af7e83

[flraptor07]

Also have one of these, one of the handiest tools I've ever bought! http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/231333329388?lpid=82

[Brewbud]

I have a board I drilled for both the male and female plugs similar to what 785boats is doing. I use my 60W solder station. There are several nicely detailed youtube videos out there that will help.

[Brewbud]

Also have one of these, one of the handiest tools I've ever bought! http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/231333329388?lpid=82

That jig looks pretty handy!

[revoltrunner]

Also have one of these, one of the handiest tools I've ever bought! http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/231333329388?lpid=82

that's pretty neat , I like the warning better though....lol
Note: Aluminum is a conductive material, never place 2 plugs from the same battery pack in Mr Jig simultaneously or Else it would goes up in Fire

[AB Bob]

I just put the bullet in vise grip pliers laying on
a hunk of board. just clamp it lightly though.

Quick, easy and heavy enough not to move around. Thanks for the idea.

[AB Bob]

I just drilled a set of holes in the corner of my bench for 4mm 5.5mm & 8mm male & female bullets. A snug fit & deep enough to hold them upright. Free.

I like "free" a lot! Thanks.

[AB Bob]

Also have one of these, one of the handiest tools I've ever bought! http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/231333329388?lpid=82

I like that Maxtra station! Very nice. I like that jig too. I think I could benefit from that. Thanks.

[AB Bob]

I have a board I drilled for both the male and female plugs similar to what 785boats is doing. I use my 60W solder station. There are several nicely detailed youtube videos out there that will help.

Seems that between 60W and 100W would be the ideal wattage...Thanks.

[AB Bob]

that's pretty neat , I like the warning better though....lol
Note: Aluminum is a conductive material, never place 2 plugs from the same battery pack in Mr Jig simultaneously or Else it would goes up in Fire

Good point!

[785boats]

I always only do one bullet at a time. Completely insulate it with heat shrink (& a rubber cap if it's a male) then tape it back onto the battery before exposing the other lead to start working on that one.
Never have two ends exposed at the same time.

[tlandauer]

+1, yup, one at a time!
Also if you have a soldering station, use a screw driver tip , I have a Weller and I use their 3.17mm wide tip. You don't want to use too narrow a tip as it doesn't retain heat well.

[AB Bob]

+1, yup, one at a time!
Also if you have a soldering station, use a screw driver tip , I have a Weller and I use their 3.17mm wide tip. You don't want to use too narrow a tip as it doesn't retain heat well.

Cool. So, decent wattage and a fairly large tip. Excellent. Thanks.

[rickwess]

+1, yup, one at a time!
Also if you have a soldering station, use a screw driver tip , I have a Weller and I use their 3.17mm wide tip. You don't want to use too narrow a tip as it doesn't retain heat well.

A soldering station is the way to go. Much more control over the heat. 60W will do everything you need........connectors, flex shaft, etc.

I find using a tip that fits into the hole of the side of the connector works best for me. Lots of contact area and a built in support. I think what's coming out here is that there are many ways, just find one you're comfortable with.

[AB Bob]

A soldering station is the way to go. Much more control over the heat. 60W will do everything you need........connectors, flex shaft, etc.

I find using a tip that fits into the hole of the side of the connector works best for me. Lots of contact area and a built in support. I think what's coming out here is that there are many ways, just find one you're comfortable with.

I think you're right...lots of ways to do it. I like the idea of a station...more flexibility for other applications, etc. Thanks.

[flraptor07]

A soldering station is the way to go. Much more control over the heat. 60W will do everything you need........connectors, flex shaft, etc.

I find using a tip that fits into the hole of the side of the connector works best for me. Lots of contact area and a built in support. I think what's coming out here is that there are many ways, just find one you're comfortable with.

The tip that fits the hole works great, that's the way I do it. Tin your wire, put the tip in the hole and fill the connector cup about 1/2 way up, then insert the tinned wire into the connector and add solder if needed. I usually keep the heat on it for about 30sec. so the tinned solder on the wire melts with the solder in the connector. When soldering bullet connectors be careful not to get solder wicked over into the contact side of the male connector, it's a PITA to get cleaned.

[tlandauer]

Cool. So, decent wattage and a fairly large tip. Excellent. Thanks.

A flat tip is a must, stay away from pencil tip type , my 3.17 mm tip is just enough to go into the holes on some bullets, there are different batches of 5.5mm bullets with different sizes of holes. On 6 mm and up the hole is larger and my tip clears them all. But I like the cut style bullets now and therefore it is no longer an issue for me.

[AB Bob]

A flat tip is a must, stay away from pencil tip type , my 3.17 mm tip is just enough to go into the holes on some bullets, there are different batches of 5.5mm bullets with different sizes of holes. On 6 mm and up the hole is larger and my tip clears them all. But I like the cut style bullets now and therefore it is no longer an issue for me.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your input.

[Brushless55]

I've got this Maxtra 952D, I've had it for almost 2 years now and it's worked flawless. Can't beat it for the $, and I really like the hot air wand for doing heat shrink. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-In-1-SMD-H...item2577af7e83

That looks sweet!

[Fixitguy1]

Just received my 5.5 bullet connectors and needed to know if it matters putting the male or female end on the positive battery ?

[Mxkid261]

For the battery I use female on positive, male on negative.

[Fixitguy1]

Thanks

[T.S.Davis]

red hot female

[fweasel]

red hot female

tuff to forget that one, and a lot more fun than what I used in biochemistry.

[Brushless55]

red hot female

That will stick in my head for ever now!