Recently I was asked to switch the battery connectors in my 1/16 Traxxas Slash from the Deans connectors I put in, back to the original Traxxas connectors. I run a stock class at the local track and it is forbidden to add any aftermarket items, this includes aftermarket battery connectors.

This got me thinking; Which is the best battery connection system in RC? I'm not looking for personal option, I'm looking for fact. Does anyone know which connectors offer the least resistance / best performance?

There was a website that did a test between the various connectors and the conclusion was there isn't any one best connector. They did conclude that Deans can't compete with the better ones like Corally bullets, Powerpoles and Traxxas.

Is this statement contradicting or is it just me? I like the deans, but if I do buy a traxxas product I leave the traxxas connectors on. You void the warranty by changing connectors, and they can tell if you put them back on. Its just all personal preference IMO

It's just you.

As I said there isn't any SINGLE BEST CONNECTOR. The website that did the test did conclude that the Corally bullets, Powerpoles and Traxxas high current connectors were BETTER than the Deans. The Deans got hotter than the other three. None of the three were the BEST. They were all equal but better than Deans.

Deans are rated to 70amps iirc and in todays high amp draw setups, that may not be enough. If you push them beyond what they're rated for they'll get hot.


Some bullets can handle a lot more - Castle's 6.5mm bullets are rated for 200amps.

I would love to see the thought process on that one...
Can you change the shock oil or pinion?

I've seen "Power Pole" (black & red connectors) and Dean's big two pin take a 150amp hit in 1/8th scale, & never thought twice.

By the numbers & surface area the Traxxas connectors aren't bad, but like any if they get oxidized, corroded or dirty they will have higher resistance & begin to get warm.

Proper fit, spring tension, & keeping them clean & it wouldn't matter what modern connector you use.

I like Deans you just have to make sure to solder them on correctly. Once that is down you wont have to worry about plugging them in backwards.

Im confused I thought deans had no chance for reverse polarity. So does that mean I should switch all my battery connectors to bullet types

According to deans, their connectors have less resistance than the same length of 12awg wire. So unless you are running over 12awg wire(which I'm not saying people might not be) the connector is not your highest resistance.

All of my LiPos come with 10AWG from the factory.

thats pretty sad that the class won't allow you to change a battery connector...
i like deans and bullet connectors the best.

Then maybe you don't want to run deans.

I am all for spec classes and whatnot but not allowing different battery connectors is absurd. That would NEVER happen in this area and the track owner should really know how lucky he is that the racers like you don't boycott for micro managing so much.

Either way, I run deans on everything. Traxxas plugs are probably better but they are such a pain to solder because if you cut off too much insulation its exposed, get even a 1/2 drop over that stupid line its not going in, the male and female surface areas are different and not interchangeable (way to go Traxxas on that one!) and IMO they just suck.

I've ran deans all the way up to 6S in a 13lb GorillaMaxx Revo and never had one fail yet.

I recently put together an electric truggy and used deans throughout for the battery connectors. I am new to this truck as it does not handle like my nitro truck at all so I tend to crash at higher speeds alot. I actually had the deans come unplugged in the middle of the main. Is there another connector that will not do this. I dont want to resort to using non-polarized bullet connectors on the batteries. So what should I switch to?

I've never had a deans come unplugged. Until you decide what connector you're going to settle on, tape them together so they can't come apart.

Maybe even try 're-springing' the tab that is supposed to keep it together. Even my oldest deans are not easy to get apart.