What LiPo connectors to use? Solder-less options?

[samandnoah]

Looking to do the LiPo mod for my Sov GT using an alkaline battery pack. I've read through a couple of them numerous times, and there is little explicit discussion about the connectors used. JST and Deans are the 2 mentioned. There appear to be many more options (depending on what the battery is intended is for). So...

I don't own a soldering gun/pencil, and haven't tried soldering anything since high school. Rather than messing anything up, any experts out there who can recommend either A) a connector that doesn't require soldering, or B) is very easy to solder so I'm less likely to mess it up? My preference would be to order the battery with the connector I want (rather than solder it on) so if I'm doing any soldering it's only on the empty shell side. Of course, if there is an solder-less option, than I can get any connector on the battery side.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions!
Rich

 

[duggr]

For good electrical contact and durability I would solder!
There will probably come a time when you will need to re-solder
something like a headphone cord or whatever and waiting for someone
to find the time do it for you isn't an option because it needs to be done
now so you won't loose a day's hunting....I even have one of these
Battery operated soldering pencil
Just make sure you use Lithium AA's


soldering tips

 

[flbowhunter]

Being in the rc car hobby, Deans connectors would be fine, also Traxxas battery connectors are another good option. Depending on what battery configuration you are using, 2s lipo packs are very common and put out 7.4V rather than 7.2V from a Nicad, or Nimh pack. Also see what connector comes pre wired on the pack you are getting, then just buy the matching male end for your detector leads. Another option is if you have a hobby shop near by, (not hobby lobby) they will probably solder them for you for next to nothing. If you solder them your self, only do one wire at a time. Do not short the bare wires!! There is a whole lot of energy in those 2 cells! Make sure to get a lipo compatible charger and know how to set it up and charge them properly. Tenergy accucell is a cheap good charger, $25.00 or so and it has a built in balancer. You also may want to wire in a low voltage cut off to the pack to keep it from discharging beyond a certain level. If it does, sometimes the pack cannot recover, or worse, and is trash. Have fun, be safe.

 

[pecor]

flbowhunter This is WRONG!!!! {Qoute Depending on what battery configuration you are using, 2s lipo packs are very common and put out 7.4V rather than 7.2V from a Nicad, or Nimh pack} This is wrong. {These packs all put out much more voltage {AT Peak Charge!} Running a LIPO- LiFe requires the use of a voltage regulator http://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/de-swadj I would also put one on for safety reasons on all LiFe, LiPo, packs they are not expensive, You will need a meter to set your voltage out-put http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4214667. This all so may help http://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/vreg-breakout We are not running the amps that a rc car motor requires. these will work fine, how ever a small spot of solder on JST connector is peace of mind at 12 volts that you need. I just did, 2 tesoros, And am waiting on on 1 of the voltage regulators I listed above for my MineLab X-Terra that runs on 6 Volt, {So on the MineLab am using a {2 cell LiPo 7.4 volts 2200 mah} This pack will PEAK charge at 8.4-8.6 volts I will be stepping it down to 6 volt with above listed adj reg, then run your power to your machine, I used 2 wooden dowels with a small spring contact + on one - on the other that will slide in my battery box the wires run to the regulator listed above then to the battery which will mount under the rod up by the arm cup, This keeps the weight down. If you solder on the factotry battery box contacts you will void your warranty. The Factory has a small voltage regulator built in the circuit that will handle the slight voltage peak of AA batteries or the factory pack only, It will Not Step down +1 volt or more! It will fry. You would need a LiPo like this http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=20433 Read the spec's but remember it will peak charge at about 15.6 volts then to a switching adjustable stepping regulator set at 12Volts then run to your machine. Yes you can order every thing from Hobby King make sure you use the us warehouse,The battery is in stock, charger is in stock http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__33281__IMAX_B6_Charger_Discharger_1_6_Cells_COPY_USA_Warehouse_.html you can get jst connectors male-female ya need both http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/RC_PRODUCT_SEARCH.asp?searchType=10&nearby=yes&idCategory=121&sortBy=Relevant&NumPerPage=20&currentPage=&strSearch=jst, wire 16 gage speaker wire will work fine easy to find, your crimping and soldering tools are here http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__948__178__Tools-Soldering.html. Just make sure you order this from http://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/de-swadj this made in us and is higher quality. Hobby King has good stuff, But I recommend the good regulator from DimensionEngineering regulatorthat is the {Heart} ya want a good one right? This once set up, Is pretty cheap get 2 batterys one for back-up. The charger will run off your 12V car battery, cig lighter if your car has one-- will need the adapter, or a radio shack 110 to12 volt power supply also cheap, Take your charger with you they will make sure it has the amps ya need. If you have more then one detector you will have most of your supplies to convert the all, Just get the closest voltage battery and step it down. Sorry for being long winded but I don't want to see ya have a problem. PM me if ya need some input. Stay away from NiCad's they don't last long enough need more matanice and can form a memory Jay

 

[flbowhunter]

Pecor,
The voltage is 7.4V nominal voltage for a 2s lipo pack. Yes it will peak at a higher voltage as will most if not all rechargeable batteries. The cells I use are 40C, 5000 mah, which, yes the brush-less motors I run demand the extra discharge punch, that's what a high amp esc is for. Connecting a lipo to a detector will not require the amp draw a brush-less motor does hence a voltage reg. as well as a voltage cut switch. Depending what the stock battery configuration is will determine what is needed. The only advantage I see in swapping to a lipo battery in a detector is longer battery life at the expense of possible damage/voided warranty. One must decide the lesser of two evils. Good info.

 

[OldBeechnut]

only advantage I see in swapping to a lipo battery in a detector is longer battery life

Not sure about that. For right now working on the Minelab Excalibur there seems to be a larger transmit field with the increase in voltage.