Old Tamiya Connectors vs Deans

[Shorty]

Hi.

Probably a lame question but I am new to the scene!


I do have and old Kyosho 1/10 buggy (Optima Mid) from the 1990s which has Tamiya connectors from the battery.

I've seen some new cars running new connectors, called Deans connectors. Is there any advantage with these new connectors? Less resistance maybe?

I'm asking because I'd like to tinker with my old Kyosho, by putting some new batteries through it. So I could either by a new car that has Tamiya connectors (like the Thunder Tiger Phoenix XB) and use the batteries in my old car too....

or get an Associated RC10 B4.1 and change the old Kyosho to deans plugs!

any thoughts?

[digitrc]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Hi.

Probably a lame question but I am new to the scene!


I do have and old Kyosho 1/10 buggy (Optima Mid) from the 1990s which has Tamiya connectors from the battery.

I've seen some new cars running new connectors, called Deans connectors. Is there any advantage with these new connectors? Less resistance maybe?

I'm asking because I'd like to tinker with my old Kyosho, by putting some new batteries through it. So I could either by a new car that has Tamiya connectors (like the Thunder Tiger Phoenix XB) and use the batteries in my old car too....

or get an Associated RC10 B4.1 and change the old Kyosho to deans plugs!

any thoughts?

Massive, massive difference!

The deans have much lower resistance and much better power handling - it was easy to melt Tamiya connectors together with 1980s power, so I dread to think what damage you could do to them with 2011 power!

Deans (and their various clones, some are better quality than others) are the most common connector on stick packs nowadays, as you have seen already Associated used them on their RTR's now.

The connectors are cheap and relatively easy to fit (tip - plug them together before soldering, otherwise the heat may distort the plastic body and stop them fitting back together again).

Take care of that Optima Mid by the way, qute a classic now, wouldn't mind having my old one back!

[Shorty]

Thanks,

Great info. The B4.1 is looking like the best option more and more.

I slung a few extra questions about the old Kyosho Optima Mid in the vintage RC section of this forum. Check them out...

[The Bod]

Like you, I recently got back into racing after a few years off (20 or so). I started back using my Optima Mid with the old brushed motor and esc. I did stick a Lipo pack in there with a power cut off to protect the Lipo. The improvements on the battery was massive compared with the old NiMh's that I used to use.

After a few races I upgraded to a B4, which I went brushless with. This made such a difference and made the car more competative. I have recently upgraded again to a B44, which has Lipo saddlepacks in. All the above was done using Tamiya connectors. During Sundays racing I noticed that the connectors were extremely hot and could have melted, like other racers are indicating.

I hope this helps your decision.

[Whiskers]

I've managed to melt a tamiya connecter with a nihm pack and a 6.5t brushless system. There is a night and day difference. Just go to Deans!!

[Col]

Personally I wouldn't (and haven't) used either deans or tamiya.
Corally all the way.

[mdb_75]

Deans connectors if you use batteries with wires coming out of them. (Or Traxxas which I prefer, but are less common so not so handy if you need to borrow a battery or charger)

Corally (individual) plugs if your batteries have female tubes in them instead of wires, but make sure they're routed so that you can't connect up to the battery the wrong way around!

[mark christopher]

deans are the safest way to prevent miss conection,

coralays if your lipo has the sockets, tamiya bin em!

[soane]

Is there a tutorial on fitting these plugs or is it rather straight forward? Do I need to tin the wire and connectors before soldering?

[Whiskers]

Originally Posted by soane

Is there a tutorial on fitting these plugs or is it rather straight forward? Do I need to tin the wire and connectors before soldering?

Try youtube. It does help to pre tin the wires and connecters first.

[Crazy L]

I was pop in with my chirp of "Deans" but it looks like you're going that way anyway. so need for me to bother

I once melted Tamiya plugs together using a 13 triple and RC2400 Nicds

[soane]

Originally Posted by soane

Is there a tutorial on fitting these plugs or is it rather straight forward? Do I need to tin the wire and connectors before soldering?

On the way home today I popped in to see Dave at TOP and he very kindly sorted my battery and ESC leads into Deans and made an adaptor cable for my peak charger. After watching him (5 mins) it really is a simple job, just make sure you have a good soldering iron.