I see winch battery quick connectors on a lot of F3B winches, and I'd like to convert our FLS winches. I found some at California Car Cover, but I'd like to make sure I get some quality parts.

Anybody have a source for some good ones? I need 3 or 4 sets for the club winches.

Thanks,

Bruce

I've used these for several years.... Good results...

http://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-1820...6&sr=8-3-fkmr0

Radian
www.phflyers.com

I've used them extensively as well. The problem is that under 'hard' use they will eventually arc and destroy the post. The little puffs of smoke are a clue.

I liked the convenience, but converted to copper lugs with the winch connection being the big Anderson connectors. Now they are probably what will go next.

David

Thanks for the Amazon link - same price except we'll get free shipping. I considered the Anderson connectors, but I'd have to set up 6 batteries to cover 3 winches and 3 retrievers. I found some heavy cast brass ones on a British web site, but they were way expensive, still looking

Bruce

Don't use those connecters. They are convenient bit in efficient, and poor repeat ability for resistance. Use large wing nuts and a spade connecter. I like the ones that come from Ober with their battery resister bars

http://www.oberflugmodellbau.de/12.html

If you want good connections use classic connections like that:
http://www.oberflugmodellbau.de/13.html
and if you want to be abble to remove them quickly replace the screw/nut by this:
http://www.decathlon.fr/serrage-60-m...d_3640650.html
it's sold in bicycle shop and it's used to tighten the stem of the saddle of the bicycle (not sure of my english here...)
Loïc

Bruce, you can make your own that is better than anything out there.

Similar to the one picture below.
I see your son has access to a machine shop?

A bar of copper, cut drill and tapped with a 3/8" coarse thread, and a larger knob for the clamping screw than shown in the picture. Think of the knobs on weight lifting equip. Or even an L bend in the bolt. Then you can use slotted cable lugs with copper washers as Dave K said. I am sure you can even sell a few and even make up the cost of the materials and labor. I would be interested in a couple sets.

Originally Posted by fnnwizard

Similar to the one picture below.

We used these in the past ... when you need to kill the connection in a hurry, turning the wheel takes time you don't have.

YMMV ... tk

Originally Posted by tkallev

We used these in the past ... when you need to kill the connection in a hurry, turning the wheel takes time you don't have.

YMMV ... tk

Agree with this, I really prefer our solution because you can kill the connection really fast if necessary.

Originally Posted by tkallev

We used these in the past ... when you need to kill the connection in a hurry, turning the wheel takes time you don't have.

YMMV ... tk

Yeah I agree, I wouldn't recommend using that exact type with its finer threads, small knob and 1/4" clamp screws. I recommend making something like that though with larger coarser threads and a larger knob. Even the bicycle style clamps would work.

But if Bruce does end up using the ones he showed a picture of, it is not easy to snap off in a hurry though. To make that one easier to use, I drill a hole in it and make a handle with cord attached to the plastic lever.

How many amps are you pulling?

I'd suggest finding your local Anderson Connector dealer and getting SB-175's or SB-350's, which are for forklifts. Super heavy duty, and will handle a lot of amps.

No decision yet, but thanks for all the input. Too bad the quick connects in my original post won't work, they would have been the best all around. We are flying off a mix of club and personal winches and I was trying to make the battery hook up easy for all. One of our club winches has the connector like Tuan posted, it works OK, but the knob is already broken. That and the on-line reviews for them are really bad. I'll take a look at that one and see if it can easily be upgraded like the suggestions.

Anderson style connectors would be nice, but I'd have to set up at least 3 winches and 3 retrievers that way, and the batteries would not be easily usable with the personal winches that get set up on non-contest weekends - I hate to force the others to upgrade without discussing it 1st.

I've got time - next club contest isn't until the end of January, and that is when we really need them. We're getting 20 - 25+ pilots at a monthly contest now, and by round 3 the batteries are getting weak ( it's those darn Icon 2s and Xploder 4000s! )

Anyways, on the bright side, I guess it's not such a bad problem having so much activity that we can kill a battery in 1 session - it wasn't that way just a couple of years ago.

Bruce

Originally Posted by blewis01

No decision yet, but thanks for all the input. Too bad the quick connects in my original post won't work, they would have been the best all around. .....

Ok hold on guys!!!

The quick connectors WILL WORK! I've used the Minnkota ones for more then 2 years on an Optima Blue deep cycle batter and a very strong FLS winch!

NO SMOKE and NO other problems....

I agree that using these might not be best for F3B winches were repeatability and precise calibration is a must... But for club winches with FLS motors.

THEY ARE FINE!!!!

Please review what Mr. BLewis01 is asking for here. Quick low cost simple connectors for club FLS winches. Ones that could also help if a disconnect is needed quickly. These connectors fit that requirement perfectly. Let's not make the requirements more complex then they are.

I suggest you buy a set for less then $25 bucks and try them out. I'm sure for club winches you'll see they work well, are inexpensive and convienant.

Radian
www.phflyers.com

Originally Posted by Radian

Ok hold on guys!!!

The quick connectors WILL WORK! I've used the Minnkota ones for more then 2 years on an Optima Blue deep cycle batter and a very strong FLS winch!

NO SMOKE and NO other problems....

I agree that using these might not be best for F3B winches were repeatability and precise calibration is a must... But for club winches with FLS motors.

THEY ARE FINE!!!!

Please review what Mr. BLewis01 is asking for here. Quick low cost simple connectors for club FLS winches. Ones that could also help if a disconnect is needed quickly. These connectors fit that requirement perfectly. Let's not make the requirements more complex then they are.

I suggest you buy a set for less then $25 bucks and try them out. I'm sure for club winches you'll see they work well, are inexpensive and convienant.

Radian
www.phflyers.com

+1

I use one of these on the ground of one of my F3B winches and it has been fine for 3 or 4 years. The winch is mostly used for practice so I'm not that worried about repeatability, but the connector does work.

Tom

One word of caution... if you've been pulling a lot of amps through these... and need to disconnect them quickly, burned fingers may result... And yes... from experience...