in my big project to build an high end CAR battery STARTER…… i’m arrived at a point i have to choose (a way to connect….)the connector for the 2 (cable) crocodille + and - to attach to a semideath car battery.
power passind would be 14,4v ( 4 lifepo in series 2 parallel) of a123 18650, for a total of 2,2A. at peak 60C burst is around 120A.
i know the best connector is the ANDERSON PLUC but it’s pricey! and i can’t understand why ….it’s so expensive!
so…. seeing a youtube video of a person who built a “pack” for an high power electric bike…. he SUGGESTED( and used) to use a classic VGA plug of 15PINs. like this
ebay link is http://goo.gl/kUNXqg for a similar piece. ( of course i need to buy male and female )
COULD WORD WELL FOR YOU?
- do you think i need 1 pin for + pole (15pin)and 1 plug (15pin) for - pole?
or i could solder both + and - for example at 8 pins the + and the remaining 7 pin to -
in my opinion…… these pins are not SO BAD…… they’re not too fin and they are so much! so i can’t imagine that it isn’t enough to pass high amps current…….especially thinking that the SKYN EFFECT ( Skin effect - Wikipedia ) of a cable….do promote me to use “more” pins… instead a BIG ONE ( like in the anderson type…. am i wrong?)
in the anderson the OVERALL contact surface is also LOWER than the 15 pins with their overall DIAMETER SUMS!!
lets do some math: 120 amps / 15 pins = 8 amps per pin. That seems like a lot.
the skin effect only applies to alternating current, which this is not.
While there are probably cheaper connectors than the anderson, I would feel more comfortable using it, because it was designed for power, not signal use (low current), as the VGA plugs were designed for.
I’ve used unconventional plugs for power before, like XLRs to power my BTU but that was (ab)using them close to their maximum current rating.
With something like a vga, it may work fine but there’s a chance a pin makes bad contact, heats up and melts through it’s plastic mounting, potentially causing a short.
If you ask me it’s really not worth skimping on the connector just to save a few bucks.
My suggestion for that kind of current is to find the biggest bullet connectors you can and go with those. Something like an 8mm will handle the current with no problem and they can also be found for pretty cheap if you search. Quick look turned up these Turnigy 8mm Bullets
I’ve actually seen a lipo car jump starter using an EC5 connector as well, like this one. That’s only a 5mm bullet style connector. So if they think that’s suitable to handle the current then hey, why not
