Hobbycity EC3 $0.99

[Naboo]

Sooo....whilst looking for some small items to fill up a Hobbycity order I came across these:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9010&Product_Name=EC3_Connectors_(1_pair)

The highest current any of my models use is around 30A.

Is anybody using these? I'm currently using Dean's Ultra but find them a tad expensive.

Also, the packaging for the Dean's plugs said not to join them together while soldering--any idea why this would be? I thought joining them together would give the plugs a better connection if the plastic softens.

Cheers

[doddsy01]

i thought they where the plugs what you get on the 3 cells lipo's from e-flite, they would be fine for 30 amp though i dont know bout the quality cause i just use the deans plugs

[ozzi supercub]

I reckon they would definately be fine for 30 amps.
I dont use Deans I use cheap copies and have never had a problem. I always put the pair together when soldering because someone told me it helps the plugs keep their shape if you accidently over heat them.
If your into high power EDF's where your dealing with huge amps then I'm sure the plugs have to be top quality but for parkflyers that draw under 30 amps cheap Deans ands Bullet plugs are just fine.
IMO

[olmod]

[QUOTE=ozzi supercub]I reckon they would definately be fine for 30 amps.
I dont use Deans I use cheap copies and have never had a problem. I always put the pair together when soldering because someone told me it helps the plugs keep their shape if you accidently over heat them./QUOTE]
That is false as what happens is the body of female can overheat and end up being too loose if they are plugged together, just use a very hot iron and be quick ;) .and the origonals lubricated with a bit of graphite are best.

[ozzi supercub]

.......what happens is the body of female can overheat and end up being too loose .........

:eek:

[speedy_1]

I also use cheap deans copies, but in my order from HC that came this morning, i bought 2x rhino 1050mah 3s lipo's that came with these ec3 plugs attatched. Now not sure whether to cut them off or get some males and use them.

Also, HC does not stock the "t" connectors (deans) any more. where is everyone else getting cheapo's because i can only find expensive ones.

[ozzi supercub]

Apparently HC is involved in a legal dispute over the Deans style connectors. If you look at the pics of their newer lipos on the Hobbycity site, quite often the positve and negative lead are bent back over so you cant see the connector. I've read all the new shipments have these EC3 leads now.

[speedy_1]

Apparently HC is involved in a legal dispute over the Deans style connectors. If you look at the pics of their newer lipos on the Hobbycity site, quite often the positve and negative lead are bent back over so you cant see the connector. I've read all the new shipments have these EC3 leads now.

Thats what i was wondering????

The pic of the rhino i bought has the leads at the back so you couldn't see.
I wasn't sure what i was going to get.
If i would have known i would have chucked in a ec3 male and made up a deans ec3 adapter

[panzerd18]

Considering they are only just gold bullet plugs with a plastic housing, I would think they would be able to take a lot of current, like just as much as deans ultra connectors.

[creapyd]

Actually, offical EC3's are rated to 60Amp Continuous. Deans are only rated to 40amp
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=eflaec301
how to put together:
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1768

I believe that HC is selling both knock off and offical EC3's now both for $1 a pair

[panzerd18]

They seem a lot easier to use than the deans. The problem is, it will be a pain to retrofit all of mine.

[junglegym]

Got 2 Lipo's from H\C today , one Litermax still had a Clayton's Deans :D
The other a Rhino which had the blue plug pictured above :p

When soldering Dean's :
I always tin the wires and plug first then connect the Male\Female, then using an 80 watt iron touch the wire to the terminal for less than a second no excessive heat, no movement. I do like the real Dean's I 've had the spring bend and eventually break on more than one of those copy Dean's plugs :mad: !!!!!



:)

[Naboo]

I guess the bullet connectors you get with most HC motors are probably the similar to the ones in their EC3's anyway--ie should be able to handle the current fine.

[snaggers]

I've heard of someone doing a test with the knock-off's compared to the originals and there is quite a difference.

Apart from what Junglejym said about the spring breaking, the knock-off connectors have a higher impedance compared to the originals. I will try and find the thread which tests this.

Andy

[Extreme_RC]

I had those EC3 connectors almost 2 yrs ago, no one ever wanted to use them so cleared them out. Real Deans are rated well over 40A in the real world, they have been run without incident at up to 100A and Deans knows this. I run real deans at 1700w in a 6s setup, they dont seem to get hot after a flight.

I use my copys on all my smaller EDF models, run them up to 60A all the time without issue. I only order the best quality copy I can get, good thermoplastic that takes a lot of abuse to melt. They seem to be very durable, many of mine are over 12 months old and still in use, still tight.

I have another 500 ribbed pairs coming in for those who want to stock up on copys before they are all gone...:)

[SUPERSPORT]

Actually, offical EC3's are rated to 60Amp Continuous. Deans are only rated to 40amp
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=eflaec301
how to put together:
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1768

I believe that HC is selling both knock off and offical EC3's now both for $1 a pair

Which one is the real one?

[Red_N_White]

I've only used EC3's once, and that was on my radian. They were a pain in the @$%@ to get apart, however, so they were quickly switched for deans.

[SUPERSPORT]

What about these. (https://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9284)

HXT 3.5mm Gold Connector w/ Protector. 80A.

10 or 5 pair for $2.59. You can't beat that.