Low insertion force connectors?

eflightray · Sep 17, 2006, 10:54 AM

I'm looking for some low insertion force connectors rated at up to 40A.

They need to be low-in' as I would like to mount them in plug-in wings on a multi engine set up. I wont to plug the wings in to the fuselage and mate the power connectors at the same time.

Both the 4mm bullet and the 'T' type connectors have much too much force to plug in and pull apart.

Any suggestions?

My alternative is to have long power leads on the wings and connect the plugs and sockets inside the fuselage, but that means hands inside the fuselage to plug and pull them apart, with the risk of damage to the fuselage.

Ken Myers · Sep 17, 2006, 10:58 AM

Sermos/Anderson Power Poles

ImaBiggles · Sep 17, 2006, 12:07 PM

my opinion is that andsersons still will require same or more force to mate as bullet connectors. I am trying to figure out a reason you want the battery to be plugged in when you put the wings on. as we do not tend to put switches on power systems that draw >10 amps or so, making the connnection right before pre-flight is recommended. A motor spooling up unexpectedly is no fun, esp when it has a razor sharp APC prop on it. My knuckle is still healing after 9 months due to a stupid mishap on my part.

eflightray · Sep 17, 2006, 01:48 PM

ImaBiggles

No, the batteries will not be connected, this is purely for the connections between wings and fuselage harness. The batteries will have their own connection system to that harness, which can be fixed firmly so that any pushing or pulling load can be absorbed easier.

This is going on my B17 - http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570555
the wings plug in to the fuselage, and I would like the power connection to the fuselage harness to be automatic if posssible, not have to thread leads through holes and and connect internally.

I believe someone once used a multi pin D type connector with the pins paralleled to share the current, I just wondered if there was alternative power connector.

hul · Sep 17, 2006, 02:20 PM

Multiplex plugs are sometimes used that way to make the connection to the wing servos. They are good for 35A according to this http://www.elektromodellflug.de/hoch...romstecker.htm

Hans

dgoslee · Sep 17, 2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflightray

I'm looking for some low insertion force connectors rated at up to 40A.

They need to be low-in' as I would like to mount them in plug-in wings on a multi engine set up. I wont to plug the wings in to the fuselage and mate the power connectors at the same time.

Both the 4mm bullet and the 'T' type connectors have much too much force to plug in and pull apart.

Any suggestions?

My alternative is to have long power leads on the wings and connect the plugs and sockets inside the fuselage, but that means hands inside the fuselage to plug and pull them apart, with the risk of damage to the fuselage.

Astro Zero-Loss!!!

Very low insertion force.
You can also solder a brass 4-40 (If I remember right) stud into the back and make it into a panel mount blind-mate connector.

Dan

boberos · Sep 17, 2006, 05:33 PM

Smear a little vaselene on the pins, then wipe it all off.
There will be a trace left that reduces insertion force dramatically.

olmod · Sep 17, 2006, 05:56 PM

lubricate with graphite

eflightray · Sep 18, 2006, 08:33 AM

Thanks for the ideas.

I have Astro Zero Loss on my Wattmeter, and yes they do go together nice, will have to try and find a supplier in the UK.

I will also try the vaselene and graphite method, thanks.

Sep 17, 2006, 10:54 AM	#1
eflightray An itch?. Scratch build. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Wales U.K. Posts: 3,962	Low insertion force connectors? I'm looking for some low insertion force connectors rated at up to 40A. They need to be low-in' as I would like to mount them in plug-in wings on a multi engine set up. I wont to plug the wings in to the fuselage and mate the power connectors at the same time. Both the 4mm bullet and the 'T' type connectors have much too much force to plug in and pull apart. Any suggestions? My alternative is to have long power leads on the wings and connect the plugs and sockets inside the fuselage, but that means hands inside the fuselage to plug and pull them apart, with the risk of damage to the fuselage.

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Sep 17, 2006, 10:58 AM	#2
Ken Myers Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Commerce Township, MI Posts: 2,162	Sermos/Anderson Power Poles

Sep 17, 2006, 12:07 PM	#3
ImaBiggles Master of 1 point landing Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 2,838	my opinion is that andsersons still will require same or more force to mate as bullet connectors. I am trying to figure out a reason you want the battery to be plugged in when you put the wings on. as we do not tend to put switches on power systems that draw >10 amps or so, making the connnection right before pre-flight is recommended. A motor spooling up unexpectedly is no fun, esp when it has a razor sharp APC prop on it. My knuckle is still healing after 9 months due to a stupid mishap on my part.

Sep 17, 2006, 01:48 PM	#4
eflightray An itch?. Scratch build. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Wales U.K. Posts: 3,962	ImaBiggles No, the batteries will not be connected, this is purely for the connections between wings and fuselage harness. The batteries will have their own connection system to that harness, which can be fixed firmly so that any pushing or pulling load can be absorbed easier. This is going on my B17 - http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570555 the wings plug in to the fuselage, and I would like the power connection to the fuselage harness to be automatic if posssible, not have to thread leads through holes and and connect internally. I believe someone once used a multi pin D type connector with the pins paralleled to share the current, I just wondered if there was alternative power connector.

Sep 17, 2006, 02:20 PM	#5
hul Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 1,880	Multiplex plugs are sometimes used that way to make the connection to the wing servos. They are good for 35A according to this http://www.elektromodellflug.de/hoch...romstecker.htm Hans

Sep 17, 2006, 05:33 PM	#7
boberos Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 470	Smear a little vaselene on the pins, then wipe it all off. There will be a trace left that reduces insertion force dramatically.

Sep 17, 2006, 05:56 PM	#8
olmod Good Better Best quest. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cranbourne Melbourne vic Australia Posts: 7,772	lubricate with graphite

Sep 18, 2006, 08:33 AM	#9
eflightray An itch?. Scratch build. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Wales U.K. Posts: 3,962	Thanks for the ideas. I have Astro Zero Loss on my Wattmeter, and yes they do go together nice, will have to try and find a supplier in the UK. I will also try the vaselene and graphite method, thanks.