Which plug is best?

[ChiefGeek]

So I'm just getting started in electric and am a bit confused by all the connector choices. Is there a "best"? Do some have advantages over others? Or do I just pick one and go with it? I need to go get plugs tomorrow to standardize and want to make the best decision if there is one.

 

[johnny]

So I'm just getting started in electric and am a bit confused by all the connector choices. Is there a "best"? Do some have advantages over others? Or do I just pick one and go with it? I need to go get plugs tomorrow to standardize and want to make the best decision if there is one.

i prefer the traxxas plugs ther best for me

 

[hamz9561]

I prefer the Dean's plugs. I also use the Traxxas plugs. The Traxxas plugs are a bit easier to solder onto the wires though.

 

[Rolex]

Dean's for me.
Make SURE that it says Dean's on the package. There are cheap look-alikes out there.

 

[slowngreen]

Deans for me too. Actual deans works awesome. I know alot of guys like the Traxxas plugs too.

 

[ChiefGeek]

Deans seems to be the popular choice. But why? Better connection, easier to connect?

 

[Racer 1966]

The Deans plug is more popular due to it being around and used a lot before the Traxxas plug. Both offer the advantage of very low power loss across the connection which is the reason people switch their connectors anyway.

I use the Traxxas simply due to my charger coming with the adapter for it and the Slash already having them installed on it. Most LiPo batteries you have to install your own plug anyway,so form there it's mostly personal preference. On a side note though,if you race and in the case that you have some kind of equipment failure and need a helping hand at the track, Deans may be the best choice since it's more popular amongst racers. .

 

[ChiefGeek]

Awsome, thanks guys. I'll go with Deans then.

 

[trax de max]

deans and don't forget the heatshrink on the wires after soldering. I use traxxas i like them but i have had copies from fleebay, buy from your lhs in packets.

 

[neobart]

It's a good idea when soldering Deans, to put an unused plug on the end of the one you're soldering. It will keep the plastic from melting and make the plug unusable. Hold the heat on it for just a little too long, and it will happen.

I prefer EC3 and EC5's, for 1/10 and 1/8 application. They're easier to solder right IMO.

The TRX plugs are good as well, and easy to solder. As long as you don't let the solder flow to far down the connector. There's a small mark on each gold prong, easy enough to see. But if the solder gets past that mark, the prongs won't go in all the way in the housing.

 

[CptAwesome]

I know you already made you decision, but I have an alternative that I haven't seen mentioned here yet. Anderson Power Poles. You can find them for relatively cheap on the internet, and they work fantastic. So far, I've found them to be the easiest to plug/unplug, but the way the snap together prevents them from ever coming apart on their own.

You can solder them on OR crimp them (or both), and they are genderless (no male/female pieces to worry about) and modular. You can arrange them any way you want and they always interlock. For example, hooking them up in series doesn't require an additional adapter, you just re-arrange the plug.

(You can get pretty crazy if you really want to with these)

 

[neobart]

They're clever I'll give you that, but for lipo batteries they have a far too low amp rating. They're rated for 45A tops, where Deans EC3 and TRX are rated for 100A, and EC5 for 120A.

 

[CptAwesome]

They're clever I'll give you that, but for lipo batteries they have a far too low amp rating. They're rated for 45A tops, where Deans EC3 and TRX are rated for 100A, and EC5 for 120A.

you can get them in 10 amps all the way up to 180 amps.

 

[trax de max]

this may be interesting read.
connectors explained

 

[frickenjoey]

I really like the EC5 as Neobart said. You can't beat the bullet connector for easy to solder. That other Anderson Power Poles connector.....180Amps I highly doubt

 

[MotoGod]

I used to be a huge fan of Deans connectors, but I find myself yanking the wires to separate them, so I started using Traxxas connectors awhile back. I like em. Easy to solder, re-useable, and easy to take apart and such.