The age old connector question
 

So I’m getting back into RC with my kids and accumulating cars and batteries with various connectors. Want to consolidate. What does everyone recommend nowadays?

The biggest car so far is a Losi SCTE 3.0 running a Castle mamba x and 3200kv motor. Biggest batteries are LiHV 2s 8000mah 100c.

Been running 5mm bullets on the truck, but want something easier for the kids.

Would obviously rather have a connector with some headroom than one that is running at the top of the spec. Something that could handle bigger batteries and cars in the future.

XT60? XT90? Castle 6.5?

thanks!

XT60

Xt60.

XT60 sounds good. Long as the connectors can't be plugged in backwards is the thing to watch. (especially with young'uns)

I prefer XT90s instead of XT60s. They have more overhead for high amperage operation, they're easier to grip, and they're less likely to melt if you keep the soldering iron on the terminal a bit too long.

That said, I only use XT90s for my two RCs that run on 4S, and everything else runs on my 2S batteries with inboard 5mm bullet sockets for the least clutter and best fitment clearance. I would run inboard bullets on my 4S RCs too, if my preferred 4S battery actually came with inboard bullets.

I was kinda thinking the same thing, if XT60 is good, is there any reason not to just use XT90? In case I decide to bump up to 3s or 4s?

You don't need a bigger connector just for going up to 3s or 4s. XT60 should be good enough, but sure you can go bigger and use XT90, nothing wrong with it and even supports more amperage, if ever needed. But for voltage? Not necessary.

If voltage were the only consideration then I would agree a larger connector is unnecessary; after all, it's amperage that generates heat in circuits, not voltage. But unless you're running a severely undergeared setup (such as a rock crawler), higher voltage is going to generate higher amperage too, because voltage is what pushes electric charge (measured in Coulombs) through the circuit against the resistance of the load. More voltage / similar resistance = higher amperage (Coulombs per second). XT60s may not get hot in most applications, but why not use a larger and easier to handle connector that also has a higher amperage rating, unless there's no room for it?

Whichever connector you get, choose one that has a no-spark design so you don't get that POP! when you plug the battery in. Over time that will pit the surfaces of the plugs, and there's no reason to put up with it if it can be avoided.

XT60 B/N XT90. XT60 may get warm, XT90 Wont. Telling you You wont see any difference B/N the 2. only heat. with any MAH of battery.

If you're not changing motor, yes a higher voltage will yield a higher current. But usually when speccing for a higher voltage, a higher turn motor is used, so the current levels are often similar or lower.

I use 5mm bullets on my charger for a myriad of batteries that have either 5mm bullets or EC5 which also fit the same 5mm bullets... EC5 are fairly common for batteries which is why I use them, but I believe XT90 also uses 5mm bullets too that would be equivalent.

I wouldn't take it for granted that someone going to a higher voltage battery is also installing a higher-resistance motor to match. A lot of RCers volt-up purely to go faster.

Yep, XT90s use 5mm bullets. It's a good size for a wide range of RC applications.

XT60's here.

XT90 if running 3s upwards or if you have the space. Anything smaller or space issues = deans.