Problem with EC5 2 to 1 Series Adapter

[Terran47]

I have found a serious issue with the way these connectors are fabricated ( see attached photos) and have had 2 of them fail luckily as I was unplugging them from the ESC lead. To fix the issue, I removed the heat shrink from the exterior of the adapter, de-soldered the single connector from the double connector, tinned a 10 gauge wire, trimmed it so that it would fit both in the single connector and double connector and then soldered both leads in the connectors being sure to maintain the proper polarity. After completing the soldering I replaced the heat shrink to both secure the connectors in place and to hide my less than perfect solder job. If you fly multi-battery EDF jets that can use 7S to 14S battery setups with 50C to 100C outputs then you need a solid connection that can with stand the heat generated through these connections.

[OV10]

Hello Terran47
I'm trying to follow what your serious issue is. You don't show a pic of the original interconnection from the single to the double connector.
I can only guess that you are eluding that possibly the interconnect wire was under gauged when you talk of soldering a 10ga wire in.
I run mainly serialized 2&3S LiPo configurations making equivalent 6S-10s packs on both single and multi engine airframes and have 4 of those EC5 serial connectors in use without incident which were purchased from Motion.
Very curious as to your concern.
Best regards,

[Terran47]

That's just it, there is no wire between the connectors they are just butted up to each other with a little bit of solder on the exterior and interior of the connection (3rd picture).

[OV10]

Terran47 What brand and where purchased ???? ( please don't say Motion )

[Terran47]

Sorry but these are the ones made by Bench Craft and sold by many retail outlets to include Motion. I contacted product support at Motion providing them the same basic information which they have passed on to the manufacturer. I decided to post this after the second time it happened to me this week, I would hate to have someone loose a high priced EDF jet due to this issue that can easily be fixed by the modeler. As you will agree, there is a lot of heat being generated by a 12S system pushing 100C through that connector.

[OV10]

Thanx for the insight, I better get to modding mine so to avoid a royal arse ache by an unexpected flameout.

[T-CAT]

Ugh.....this is dissapointing to see. That's not good work by the factory. I'll have to remove the shrink wrap on the three I have to inspect them. Thanks for bringing attention to this. I assumed these were manufactured better than that, and that was a mistake.

[Twowingtj]

I had one fail between flights on the Black Horse Gilmore. Luckily, it was on the ground prior to take-off.

Very little solder "pooled" between the connectors.

[OV10]

I was gonna take no chances with these connectors now that I've seen the really pathetically under engineered connections of this device that is supposed to be handling high current loads.
Here's what I spent 3 hours today fixing the four I have so as to not risk any flame out at tomorrows warbird event at the Bing Aeros.
Am so excited like a 10 year old again because this will be the first event I will attend all year that is off my property.
So here is a look see at the shoddy connectors.

Tom Public Service Announcement Please review these pics from Terran47 and myself and see that this product by Benchcraft is a hidden marketing disaster waiting to cause bad press.



Here's my better current capable series adapter with 10ga LiPo wire.




Was able to reuse the Benchcraft connectors and it took about 3 hours for all 4.

[Twowingtj]

OV10 That looks much more reliable. Looking forward to seeing you at Warbirds Over Chenango Bridge this morning.