So this thread is about more than just the new Deans connector coming out in about a week but I'll touch on that later.
The whole conversation about which connectors to use on big 1/5 scale stuff got me wondering what I was going to do in the event that Deans werent up the the task. I fired up my Google-Fu and started trying to see if anyone had tried using Deans on these big rigs and whether they had success or not. I couldnt really find anything out there so i decided to call Deans and ask them some questions about their connectors and whether theyre up to the task or not. Heres some items in no particular order that I was told and some of it is perfectly logical. Id like to point out that the guy I was talking to on the phone wasn't just some phone jockey. I'm not sure exactly who he is but he knew everything there was to know about Deans and then some. Hes also be racing RCs since the early 80s so I'm pretty sure he knew what he was talking about.
First thing I found out was that Deans doesn't list on their website or even tell their customers what the max amperage rating is on Deans for liability reasons. Ok, I guess that makes sense. He did tell me though that REAL Deans connectors can handle more amperage than XT90 and EC5 and several other various similar connectors that theyve tested. Although he did say that the XT90 came in a close second in terms of performance compared to Deans. He also said that they had just 2 days ago put a continuous 75A current through one and it held up with no sweat. Everyone on the internet claims that Deans are only good for either 45A or 60A depending on who you talk to but he said that simply isnt true. He also said that generic Deans are garbage and that no one should use them. Now that may sound like a marketing gimmick but I dont think so for the simple reason that he stated that a company buying in bulk can buy the knock off Deans cheaper than Deans can buy the gold plating alone that they use to plate their connectors. That makes sense as to why theres a big price difference. Are theyre connectors out there that out perform Deans? Sure, but Deans says they are mostly unnecessary for RC/LiPo use.
Ok, now that you're done reeling from that statement like me explain why. I had the same reaction at first until the guy from Deans told me this. He said unless you are using something bigger than 12AWG wire then you dont need anything bigger than a Deans. The blades inside the Deans connectors actually have less resistance than the same length of 12AWG wire. So theoretically if your amperage draw is to high for the Deans then its also to high for the 12AWG wire thats coming out of your lipo.
That being said, yall know me, I aint just gonna take his word for it. I'm gonna test out the Deans connectors on the 8S Kraton and see what happens. I'm gonna start with knock off Deans and see what happens and then I'm gonna try legit Deans and see what happens. If all else fails then I guess I'm switching connectors lol
Ok so on to the "NEW" Deans that are coming out. Still same basic mold for the connector but the plastic material is different. Its black for starters but its not just a color change its a new type of material that can withstand 40F higher temps before melting to help newer people just learning to solder. Also the blades are a bit different too. He wouldnt tell me exactly how but theyre using new coatings etc for even better conductivity. The plug itself is still the same size and shape for now. He did tell me that they did have plans to add ridges to the Deans like you see on some of the knock offs which is good because I use a lot of those type and they are much easier to pull apart. That change he said wont be on the new plug right away and not for at least a few months or more. Also he told me that they have plans to eventually release even newer connectors eventually. I got the impression theyre going to be bigger but that is a total assumption on my part as he didnt give out any details at all about future releases past this next one in a week or so.
At any rate, I'm hoping to get a maiden run in on the Kraton 8S tonight before it gets dark. I just had 2 new 4S LiPos delivered today that have EC5 connectors on them which are compatible with the IC5 connectors, I just had to rig up a not so safe set of charging leads with 5mm bullets on the ends but thats only very temporary. I have some EC5 and XT90 connectors coming in soon but I just can't wait to see how stupid this monstrosity is
I hope yall found this as interesting as I did.
P.S. I almost forgot. One tip the Deans guy gave me was to use SN62 Solder for your connectors, whichever ones you use. He said that it contains 2% silver which helps with conductivity and it still has plenty of lead in it so it flows quickly. He said your second best bet is 63/37 Solder which is what I already use
The whole conversation about which connectors to use on big 1/5 scale stuff got me wondering what I was going to do in the event that Deans werent up the the task. I fired up my Google-Fu and started trying to see if anyone had tried using Deans on these big rigs and whether they had success or not. I couldnt really find anything out there so i decided to call Deans and ask them some questions about their connectors and whether theyre up to the task or not. Heres some items in no particular order that I was told and some of it is perfectly logical. Id like to point out that the guy I was talking to on the phone wasn't just some phone jockey. I'm not sure exactly who he is but he knew everything there was to know about Deans and then some. Hes also be racing RCs since the early 80s so I'm pretty sure he knew what he was talking about.
First thing I found out was that Deans doesn't list on their website or even tell their customers what the max amperage rating is on Deans for liability reasons. Ok, I guess that makes sense. He did tell me though that REAL Deans connectors can handle more amperage than XT90 and EC5 and several other various similar connectors that theyve tested. Although he did say that the XT90 came in a close second in terms of performance compared to Deans. He also said that they had just 2 days ago put a continuous 75A current through one and it held up with no sweat. Everyone on the internet claims that Deans are only good for either 45A or 60A depending on who you talk to but he said that simply isnt true. He also said that generic Deans are garbage and that no one should use them. Now that may sound like a marketing gimmick but I dont think so for the simple reason that he stated that a company buying in bulk can buy the knock off Deans cheaper than Deans can buy the gold plating alone that they use to plate their connectors. That makes sense as to why theres a big price difference. Are theyre connectors out there that out perform Deans? Sure, but Deans says they are mostly unnecessary for RC/LiPo use.
Ok, now that you're done reeling from that statement like me explain why. I had the same reaction at first until the guy from Deans told me this. He said unless you are using something bigger than 12AWG wire then you dont need anything bigger than a Deans. The blades inside the Deans connectors actually have less resistance than the same length of 12AWG wire. So theoretically if your amperage draw is to high for the Deans then its also to high for the 12AWG wire thats coming out of your lipo.
That being said, yall know me, I aint just gonna take his word for it. I'm gonna test out the Deans connectors on the 8S Kraton and see what happens. I'm gonna start with knock off Deans and see what happens and then I'm gonna try legit Deans and see what happens. If all else fails then I guess I'm switching connectors lolOk so on to the "NEW" Deans that are coming out. Still same basic mold for the connector but the plastic material is different. Its black for starters but its not just a color change its a new type of material that can withstand 40F higher temps before melting to help newer people just learning to solder. Also the blades are a bit different too. He wouldnt tell me exactly how but theyre using new coatings etc for even better conductivity. The plug itself is still the same size and shape for now. He did tell me that they did have plans to add ridges to the Deans like you see on some of the knock offs which is good because I use a lot of those type and they are much easier to pull apart. That change he said wont be on the new plug right away and not for at least a few months or more. Also he told me that they have plans to eventually release even newer connectors eventually. I got the impression theyre going to be bigger but that is a total assumption on my part as he didnt give out any details at all about future releases past this next one in a week or so.
At any rate, I'm hoping to get a maiden run in on the Kraton 8S tonight before it gets dark. I just had 2 new 4S LiPos delivered today that have EC5 connectors on them which are compatible with the IC5 connectors, I just had to rig up a not so safe set of charging leads with 5mm bullets on the ends but thats only very temporary. I have some EC5 and XT90 connectors coming in soon but I just can't wait to see how stupid this monstrosity is
I hope yall found this as interesting as I did.
P.S. I almost forgot. One tip the Deans guy gave me was to use SN62 Solder for your connectors, whichever ones you use. He said that it contains 2% silver which helps with conductivity and it still has plenty of lead in it so it flows quickly. He said your second best bet is 63/37 Solder which is what I already use
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