Ian

Hi,
Almost finished my first plane when the subject of connectors came up, well, it had to as I have to get the batteries connected.

Knowing nothing them I spotted Tamiya connectors and bought some.
I soldered 2 pairs onto 2 batteries and also to the ESC. I'm not really fussed on them. So yesterday I ordered some Deans connectors that arrived this morning. They look much more robust, except there is no "cover" on the sides where the wires are soldered, so the delaer suggested heatsink to cover the ends of the pins taht are soldered.

That will probably work, as I think I'll put a layer on, heat it and then another layer on top of that for more security is I can put it like that.

Now, as you know, in electric planes, batteries are changed regularly, and there are no "finger grips" to pull the connectors apart, am I correct in thinking it may be awkward to get them apart in the filed, that is when out flying.

Or are there better connectors out there.

Any ideas gratefully accepted and thanks.

wonwinglo

Ian,the most important thing is to make sure they are polarity protected,in other words you cannot easily place the pins into the wrong holes,they probably are designed that way but just make sure that you cannot make a mistake.
As long as you can grip the connectors to change the batteries then that is ok,but always pull onto the plug and socket and not the wires.
Double sleeving with heatshrink would work fine.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

wonwinglo

Are these the type of connector Ian ? if so the best way is to first solder the wires onto the lugs,then wrap masking tape around making a sort of box shape,the tape protudes just past the lugs,next mix up some fast drying epoxy resin and pour it into the end box made by the tape,this locks all of the wires into place as a moulded module.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

Ian

Yes Barry,
Those are the connectors I got, and what a great idea and one I'd never have thought of. That is what I shall do.

Very many thanks indeed.

wonwinglo

You are very welcome Ian.

Bunkerbarge

I have actually just ordered some of these for one of my boats, fitted with lights. I don't want to mess around with cables and wires so I am going to arrange one of these that will close when I put the lid on the boat.

Epoxying in the wires is a superb tip, thanks Barry.

Ian

Barry,
Hopefully you won't mind what I've just "been and went and gone and done".

I thought your ideas above are so good that including the url to the thread and your user name, not your name Barry, I posted them in the RC groups forum.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=551726

wonwinglo

No problems Ian,these ideas are to share with everyone far and wide to enhance our hobby,good idea,thank you.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

Ian

I've just remembered what a guy done about 15 years ago when the Amiga was all the rage.
He made up a cable with a 25 pin connector. I don't remember why, but he didn't use the normal "housing" to attach to the connector, he used Isopon, the stuff for filling in dents & things in cars. If it worked OK in that connector it should work in the Deans connectors.
There is no mess, it is rock hard. I'm for trying it tomorrow & I'l post my findings.

BTW Barry, I did 5 Deans using your tip for using Epoxy, great idea, this Isopon might improve on it somewhat, as I said, less mess - that is, if you are like me, who else when working at the rear of a plane would get glue on the front of it.

wonwinglo

P38 Car filler,ideal,it is insulative,dries fast and you can even file it to shape,excellent idea.
Same stuff as your Isopon by the way Ian.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/