tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

I have heard alot about deans and traxxas, so what is the best? I have an Emaxx 16.8 in the mail and I heard that you can get better performance by upgrading the connectors. Is this true?

guver

My Feedback: (325)

I use Powerpoles , but it will not increase performance over Traxxas or Dean's. I use them because it allows quick and easy series connections of multiple packs.

1FastGT

Used Dean's for years with all my electric vehicles, never had any problems.

DaveG55

There won't be much difference electrically between any of the high current connectors like Deans, Powerpoles or the new Traxxas ones. It's possible that there will be an increase in performance over, say, Tamiya connectors but whether or not you will be able to tell in your application depends on a lot of other factors. However, by switching you will be far less likely to have a connector self distruct from heat damage. I personally use Deans connectors but have heard good things about both the Powerpoles and the Traxxas ones, especially when it comes to ease of use.

tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

ok, well I offically suck at soldering so whats easiest to install?

guver

My Feedback: (325)

Powerpoles can be crimped, I don't think the others can. http://www.flyrc.com/articles/using_powerpole_1.shtml

GreenRacer

My Feedback: (3)

Everyone sucks at soldering at first, you gotta practice and use the right stuff for the right job. Are you allowing the iron to get hot enough? Is the tip cleaned? Are you tinning the wires before soldering them to the contacts?

tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

Well, actually I never tried the tinning idea. Of course it does look easier. I will try to practice on some crap wires and connectors I have laying around the house.

GreenRacer

My Feedback: (3)

Tinning transfers heat from the tip to the workpiece, makes a much nicer joint too. You have some helping hands stands?

tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

Nope all I have is a vise. I am sure I can figure it out. I watched a Traxxas video showing how to install the traxxas connector and they showed how to lay the exposed wire end on the hot iron and touch solder to the wire end when it gets hot the solder will cover the wire end and then lay the tinned wire onto the connector and touch the iron on the tinned end if the wire untill the solder transfers to the connector. I assume its just that simple. [&:]

GreenRacer

My Feedback: (3)

It is but it isn't. You wanna heat up the connector to draw the solder in the wire onto it, forming a solid piece. If you just heat up the solder it will turn into an unmanageable blob. [&:]

I'll try to do a video or something tonight.

tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

Ok, so you are saying to lay the solder covered wire on to the hot connector that I heated with the iron? and the heat will transfer to the wire and make the solder run off onto the connector and it wil make the connection?

GreenRacer

My Feedback: (3)

Sort of.

I use a 45 watt iron for deans.

Here's what I do:

Strip the wire to be soldered about 1/8" or so. Clamp it in the alligator clip of my helping hands stand. I let my soldering iron heat up over several minutes. I tin the iron tip, wipe it on a damp sponge then tin again, place the tinned tip under the wire and let it heat up for 4-5 seconds then push solder into the wire until it is saturated. I do the same for the 2nd wire.

Next I put the connector in the 2nd helping hands alligator clip and slightly tin the connection plate. I slide a piece of shrink tubing over the wire then I position it onto the connector where I want it and make sure it is touching flatly. Then I heat up the bottom of the connector and let it heat up, usually it draws the solder onto the connector fairly quick. I do the same for the 2nd wire then slide the shrink tubing over the work and heat it up with a torch and that's it.

tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

Yeah, I am going to mess around this week with that stuff because i like my trucks to look nice and professional. Thanks for all the input.

GreenRacer

My Feedback: (3)

I'll try to make a video tonight to help. [sm=thumbup.gif]

GreenRacer

My Feedback: (3)

Did two vids, kinda blurry and you get to see my big ham hands, but hopefully you get a better idea of what to do when soldering.

One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVHN46l5GRo

Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBZlP6XORko

Hope this helps.

tomcatguy74

My Feedback: (4)

Sweet videos, I need to get a set of helping hands if they are not too expensive. I am going to practice tinning wires and soldering different connectors this week some time. It really does look fun. In fact I have to repair one of my motors for my Micro-t where the wire came apart. Its a really cheap motor so if I screw it up I have more motors.
Thanks alot man. I will lookinto getting Deans connectors.

TMaxxDriver

Good videos there GreenRacer... Electric is not my forte but if it was, this would be a helpful video!