Best Connectors for high power setup.

[datazman]

Hello all:

I am about to setup my first 12S Lipo powered setup and thought I would ask for some input from those with experience concerning connectors.
According to the software I am using, I should draw about 70 Amps or just a tad over 3 Kilowatts. I have only setup for 6S lipo so far and Deans connectors have worked just fine at 50 Amps. I am not sure they can handle 70 Amps.
I have looked at Powerpole 75 connectors and bullet connectors as an alturnitave. Bullet connectors seem a little risky because of the possibility of either hooking them up wrong or the possibility of causing a short.

Any help would be appreaciated.

Ta Ta for now.
Paul

[Lynxman]

Deans can handle 70 A fine as long as they are soldered properly.

I use Deans in a 1/8 scale F-16 which draws 90 A with 12S, and I use two different battery sets with Deans and 6 mm bullets respectively. The Deans do not get warmer than the 6 mm bullets in my F-16. Bullets are a little scary to use because of Murphy. I use different colored heat shrink tubing for the different wires to reduce Murphy's chances of messing it up for me. They do allow a simple harness though and a little lower total resistance due to fewer connectors in a setup with several packs in series.

[Jocke]

http://www.elektromodellflug.de/hochstromst/hochstromstecker.htm

I would not use Deans, in my opinion they are more easy to short than a bullet, cant handle much current, hard to solder good, wears fast, and would not even consider using them over 50A.

My favorite is the Plettenberg 6mm, but thats overkill for 50-70Amps, i would use 4mm gold bullets.

[Xpress..]

^I have friends pushing the genuine Deans connectors u[ to 100 amps. Yes, they get a bit warm, but not hardly enough to soften the plastic.

And as for soldering, it's for people who actually care about their planes. Crimping is for the lazy :p

And no they aren't hard to do a good soldering job. I can solder a plug up in about 2 minutes.

[RC Accessory]

6mm bullets. Simple and easy. I make the pos lead the male and cut it shorter by about 2 inches from the negative lead which is the female 6mm bullet. Once done take some additional shrink and shrink a pice of the male only at the bottom of the bullet to act as a shield. This will prevent any accidents.

If in a high power system, 6mm bullets are a perfect fit for 10 or 12 AWG wire.

This what I use in my Showtime 4D, PowerEdge 5000 30C 10S configuration, using a 6S and 4S packs in series. The setup draws about 80 amps peak, 3147 watts to the motor.

[Alex J]

I changed all my Deans to Polimax 5.5mm bullet connectors sold by HobbyCity and ran 65A applications with trhe Deans, but have gone up to 100-120A now.

Alex

[edible_engine]

2mm to 20A
4mm to 80A
6mm to 120A
Pletti above that ;)

[datazman]

Hello all:
WOW, this is all awesome input. As I can see, I have more options than Deans connectors. Not because I can not solder, I have been in the electronic industry for the past 25 years so I have that covered.

I have been considering these as everything is 10 AWG:

http://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9283

I also see that I have not heard anything about Powerpole 75 connectors. I think that may be a sign.

Keep it coming all. Knowledge is power. Sharing your knowledge is of great value.

Ta Ta for now.
Paul

[t67flier]

I haven't use these (http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLAEC503) myself, but Eflite markets this as high power connectors and suggest that they should be good to go for 120A. I use the lower rated EC3s in my smaller setup. I am also curios if anybody have any experience with them.

CV

[ekotil]

I use APP on all my stuff using all 3 size connectors. 89 amps max in my 12 cell/Hacker A60 in my 3DHS 87'' Extra. I also use APP for my arming switches. I crimp with the West Mt. crimper. Easy to use and never a problem! :)

[LBJ]

If you go with the Dean's Connectors, be sure to plug a male into the female before soldering. This will keem the metal stems from moving if you get them too hot in the process. Also, be careful not to overheat in general. Hobby City had to quit selling the Dean's knockoffs. Apparently, they got some sort of restraining order to stop selling them. Shame.

[Lynxman]

That can cause problems as it can reduce the tension in the spring as the pieces move apart/out of alignment, and consequently reduce the conductivity of the connectors. I'm pretty sure the instructions actually say you should not put them together while soldering. The secret to soldering Deans (or any other connector) properly is preparation, tools and quick execution to minimise heat buildup in the rest of the connector. Something to hold the connector and wire while you join them and cool them off is important.

[portablevcb]

I use Dean's for everything. I have not seen one even get warm, including some 100A uses.

But, APP and bullets are fine with me too. For critical apps (like motor leads) I use heat shrink over the entire joint.

For those who crimp with the bullet connectors, how do you get a good crimp with such a short useful surface? The connectors I have seen have a contact surface that is little longer than the dia of the wire.

charlie

[LBJ]

Have it your way, Lynxman! I am joining them up. If you are getting hot enough to weaken springs, you are too hot anyway. Each to his own. I am speaking from experience on having gotten some out of alignment with the other half during soldering without joining them up. A word to the wise as the old saying goes.

[Lynxman]

Have it my way? It wasn't meant as a personal attack.

I didn't say weaken the springs. Putting them together before soldering means the springs can deform the plastic as the metal heats up, reducing the pressure. If you are heating the connectors enough to deform the plastic in the first place you are not doing it right.

[Xpress..]

^Yes, a good soldering iron is needed. If all goes well, you should be able to tin the plugs tabs in about 5-10 seconds. I just use a simple 25 watt iron from wally world, and sofar it's working great. Came with 2 tips as well.

[Jocke]

And all this trubbel, just to solder a par of Deans in a good way, exactly what i said erlier, they are hard to solder propperly, and once you done, you have a big connector thats only good for about 50A before you get losses and voltage drop.