Battery Connections - why bullets?
#1
Battery Connections - why bullets?
Hello everyone,
I was wondering why bullets are "the thing" with batteries now? It seems like it's adding what's typically a poor style power connector inline with the battery is counterproductive.
I know we have packs that hang onto voltage a lot better... Has anyone does studies on the resistance of those bullet connections?
I was wondering why bullets are "the thing" with batteries now? It seems like it's adding what's typically a poor style power connector inline with the battery is counterproductive.
I know we have packs that hang onto voltage a lot better... Has anyone does studies on the resistance of those bullet connections?
#2
Tech Champion
iTrader: (102)
here is another thread that was started a while ago:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-el...connector.html
And many in 1/8 are running XT60 connectors now
http://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-el...connector.html
And many in 1/8 are running XT60 connectors now
#3
I think the main reason is because lipos come with bullet sockets, so bullet connectors plug right in. That makes them neat, simple and minimiszies the need for extra connectors. I much prefer bullet connectors to deans connectors or Tamiya connectors.
4mm connectors have been used for decades on things like power supplies, multimeters, audio equipment. I'm not sure of the resistance numbers, but they have worked fine for me. There are a range of high quality connectors available too.
To me it seems like the main disadvantage is that it is possible to plug them in backwards (reverse polarity). I've just adjusted the wiring on the ESC so that the positive lead is only long enough to reach the positive terminal on the battery.
4mm connectors have been used for decades on things like power supplies, multimeters, audio equipment. I'm not sure of the resistance numbers, but they have worked fine for me. There are a range of high quality connectors available too.
To me it seems like the main disadvantage is that it is possible to plug them in backwards (reverse polarity). I've just adjusted the wiring on the ESC so that the positive lead is only long enough to reach the positive terminal on the battery.
#4
here is another thread that was started a Six Years ago:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-el...connector.html
And many in 1/8 are running XT60 connectors now
http://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-el...connector.html
And many in 1/8 are running XT60 connectors now
4mm connectors have been used for decades on things like power supplies, multimeters, audio equipment. I'm not sure of the resistance numbers, but they have worked fine for me. There are a range of high quality connectors available too.
To me it seems like the main disadvantage is that it is possible to plug them in backwards (reverse polarity). I've just adjusted the wiring on the ESC so that the positive lead is only long enough to reach the positive terminal on the battery.
I think this needs some testing, and research. The companies I trust to make good decisions are using the 4mm bannana plugs... so maybe i've got something wrong.
#5
What difficulties have you had with bullet connectors? What terminal would you like to see built in to batteries?
The decision to use 4mm terminals was likely based on cost, ease of manufacture, proven use for sustained mid-high current, and selecting a connector designed to be repeatedly plugged and unplugged. I'm really glad to see that fixed leads coming out of a battery case are no longer the usual thing. There was even a time where racers would solder batteries on to the ESC for each run to avoid adding the resistance of connectors- glad that is in the past too.
Are you adding a deans connector on to batteries with 4mm terminals?
The decision to use 4mm terminals was likely based on cost, ease of manufacture, proven use for sustained mid-high current, and selecting a connector designed to be repeatedly plugged and unplugged. I'm really glad to see that fixed leads coming out of a battery case are no longer the usual thing. There was even a time where racers would solder batteries on to the ESC for each run to avoid adding the resistance of connectors- glad that is in the past too.
Are you adding a deans connector on to batteries with 4mm terminals?
#6
Always funny how people think their connector is a huge resistor while from battery up to motor many solder connections are found, solder connections mostly made with a normal high resistance lead-tin solder......
#7
The decision to use 4mm terminals was likely based on cost, ease of manufacture, proven use for sustained mid-high current, and selecting a connector designed to be repeatedly plugged and unplugged. I'm really glad to see that fixed leads coming out of a battery case are no longer the usual thing. There was even a time where racers would solder batteries on to the ESC for each run to avoid adding the resistance of connectors- glad that is in the past too.
Are you adding a deans connector on to batteries with 4mm terminals?
Are you adding a deans connector on to batteries with 4mm terminals?
Connectors range from "huge source of resistance" to "better than the same length of wire". RC Car Action used to do tests, and show you what connectors were better. At the voltages we run, and peak currents, it's definitely to our advantage.
Our motors are "also" rated in KV. Every bit of a volt you can get, gives you more RPM to play with. And more torque when you're not spinning the motor out.
I've welded cheaper bullet connectors.
#8
Tech Champion
iTrader: (2)
Before LiPo, wires were commonly soldered directly to the battery, no connector at all. When LiPo was introduced, I believe rules were put in place that a connector must be used with LiPo for safety reasons, as LiPos are much more volatile than the NiCd/NiMH they replaced. You'd have to ask the manufacturers why they chose to standardise on bullets, but they actually work fairly well. You keep saying that the only time you'd use bullets are on multimeters, but they use different types of bullets. In the attached image, the left bullets are the cheaper ones used in many devices, the right ones are typically used for higher performance RC applications.
#10
Before LiPo, wires were commonly soldered directly to the battery, no connector at all. When LiPo was introduced, I believe rules were put in place that a connector must be used with LiPo for safety reasons, as LiPos are much more volatile than the NiCd/NiMH they replaced. You'd have to ask the manufacturers why they chose to standardise on bullets, but they actually work fairly well. You keep saying that the only time you'd use bullets are on multimeters, but they use different types of bullets. In the attached image, the left bullets are the cheaper ones used in many devices, the right ones are typically used for higher performance RC applications.
That's why high power connectors are flat plates with high spring pressure. Circular connectors are very hard to get good spring pressure and contact area on.
#11
Super Moderator
iTrader: (2)
I think the main reason is because lipos come with bullet sockets, so bullet connectors plug right in. That makes them neat, simple and minimiszies the need for extra connectors. I much prefer bullet connectors to deans connectors or Tamiya connectors.
4mm connectors have been used for decades on things like power supplies, multimeters, audio equipment. I'm not sure of the resistance numbers, but they have worked fine for me. There are a range of high quality connectors available too.
To me it seems like the main disadvantage is that it is possible to plug them in backwards (reverse polarity). I've just adjusted the wiring on the ESC so that the positive lead is only long enough to reach the positive terminal on the battery.
4mm connectors have been used for decades on things like power supplies, multimeters, audio equipment. I'm not sure of the resistance numbers, but they have worked fine for me. There are a range of high quality connectors available too.
To me it seems like the main disadvantage is that it is possible to plug them in backwards (reverse polarity). I've just adjusted the wiring on the ESC so that the positive lead is only long enough to reach the positive terminal on the battery.
#13
Tech Champion
iTrader: (102)
But these all have at the minimum a 4mm bullet style connector, and I have always felt if its good enough to accuratly provide a measured value, its probably decent enough for my RC. No issues, I have never felt that the Bullets have inhibited or led to a decrease in performance.
I use the 4mm Reedy Low pro. Bullet Connectors
#14
My Fluke 189 and 88 both have bullet connectors. If those fail, I die.
Biggest failures with 4mm plugs can be lessened by never unplugging them. I use alligator clamps to charge usually.
Biggest failures with 4mm plugs can be lessened by never unplugging them. I use alligator clamps to charge usually.
#15
I use just the bullet connectors on my pan cars. It makes the wiring very clean.
May be off topic but for all my truggies/buggies I run the castle 6.5 connectors. The things are great and plenty of room to solder large wires in it.
May be off topic but for all my truggies/buggies I run the castle 6.5 connectors. The things are great and plenty of room to solder large wires in it.