HOW TO | Change LiPo Battery Connectors

[@RCGirl]

**Adding an update: I got a few comments on this - you don't have to "snip" the cables to remove the original connectors if you don't want to. You can always just unsolder them, which will keep the original cable length. But as with the "snip method" - do this one at a time for safety so they don't touch!

[@camazar1]

TBH I prefer to cut the cable! Some of the other solders can cause issues if you’re not using the same Solder! Sometimes if there’s different Solder they just don’t melt well together, sometimes! it’s almost like oil and water! you Do want the best connection possible!

[@bobi2582]

Nice job! I would recommend getting a soldering iron sponge for your stand which you dampen to wipe the tip of the soldering iron on in between each tinning. This removes the shale that builds up on the tip of the iron and gives to better surface contact and a cleaner joint.

[@swissfreek]

The pliers with an elastic is super simple but super handy. Most “third hands” are a little small to hold an XT60 firmly, and they limit your movement. Quick tip: keep an extra XT60 connector with some wire on it (tape off the ends) around. Stick it in the connector you are soldering. If you overheat an XT60 the pins can melt the plastic and move around. If you keep an extra connector plugged into it, that will keep the pins positioned. If that extra connector has some wire leads on it, it will also keep the heat in the wire and not the plastic.

[@RCGirl]

Great tip! I usually do that, but did not in this case. Thanks for the reminder

[@FornellsRC]

A good tip is to connect the XT60 to "the other connector", that does so the bullets dont move if the plastic melts a bit around them.

[@MrSupermugen]

with deans and XT's etc, the iron shouldnt be there long enough to melt the plastic. if your having to hold it on that long, you're doing something wrong.

[@superchargerone]

It doesn't work that way. When you connect the other side together, you have effectively increased the volume that the soldering iron now has to heat up all the metal parts to the point where solder will melt and adhere to the tab. This means applying heat on the tab for a much longer period then with just one side alone. Long heat is never a good idea. If it melts the plastic on one side, it will melt the plastic on both sides as you hold the iron there for extended duration. Lilke MrSupermugen said, if you have to hold your iron on the tab that long, then there is something wrong with your technique.

[@MrsRabbit8]

@@superchargerone I'm a beginner, though have tackled a micro servo reverse. Not bad :) I almost ruined it with too much heat. My soldering iron tip was not prepared well enough, a poor thermal connection occurred as a result. The second servo went smoother. Edit: almost forgot, my buddy used to say "long heat bad!".

[@masterchief586]

Very nice video

[@Hjerte_Verke]

@@superchargerone Bingo. Unfortunately "FornellsRC" got a lot of upvotes for bad info. And that's how the internet spreads disinfo....Got a 'heart' by RC Girl too, that perpetuates it with a seal of approval... Smh

[@hagie61]

This video is AWESOME. I've been very hesitant to do this on my own. Have always taken my batteries to a hobby shop and had them do this for me. Watching you do it and explain it so well during your video gives me hope that one day I'll be doing this. I like EC5 connectors and can't wait till I can change them all out myself. Thank you RC Girl you rock. Lol

[@relicbeast3806]

For the first time I see a girl with a soldering iron, who does everything correctly. And that's cool! My respect.

[@stevedallas007]

Thank you RC girl for helping me with RC planes and subjects. It's very frustrating that industry does not have standard batteries, connectors, or electric motor sizes and specs, etc. You help us understand this crazy hobby!

[@peterwright790]

Don’t know how your video popped up but very useful. I’ve just bought a RC plane and was given the terminal to solder onto the battery. Now you explained it to me with handy tips-rubber band, gloves. Thanks. ( from the UK).

[@gihonda127]

Thanks for the straightforward video on soldering new connectors. I have about 10 batteries with deans, and they keep arcing with voltage spikes. Now with your video, I have a way to convert them all over to EC5 connectors for a more sure solid connection that can take those extra few spikes while ripping my RC down the dirt track. Thanks again.

[@DriftKare]

Just got some battery’s for my Traxxas Summit and after converting the truck to XT60 I was nervous on doing the new battery’s but happy now I won’t explode haha. Great video!

[@gikar1948]

Well done and informative video. You did a good job of warning DIYs about being very careful not to shot circuit the battery by touching the positive and negative wires together. A LiPo goes to a meltdown very fast if the wires touch. Like they said in Ghost Busters, “Never cross the streams”. 😟

[@carlobell2558]

RCGirl, thank you so much for being a huge joy of information in my new adventures of the rc world, I’m on my fourth vehicle, I’m broke as hell, but in a world of complete bliss when riding. Until something else breaks. Lol Word. Anyway, you and about seven more people are helping me learn more, and more each day. Peace! Carlo

[@stevekelly6600]

Very good news. We need to see more of you very informative video. Please us newbies need more of you thanks

[@mellojunior8955]

I do rc for 20 years!!! You very much better than me...!!woww

[@blackdawgrc8425]

Hell yeah! Get it girl!!!! Thank you for schooling me!!! On how 🤔 to solder lipo batteries! Loved this video 📹 bless your heart and thank you mam 🙏 I really appreciate it 🙏 🤔😁🤯🥳😎😳😲😱💯💯💯🤘🤘👌👌👌✌️✌️✌️👊🤜🤛🙏🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝👏👏👏👏👏👏.

[@mayhemsghost7813]

My kids and I are new to RC crawling. I have really enjoyed your videos!

[@fixedgear.fl.4225]

Nicely done. Safety first. Like the taping of wires to prevent battery destruction

[@tmprod3925]

In this day and age, why doesn't everything come with stock XT connectors already?? I mean, come on! why bother with other crap, and so many frustrating versions of it... Then again, this video wouldn't have been recorded... and it's a pleasure to watch :) I do wanna see more!

[@woodnbikes]

Re -learning RC after a 20 year hiatus, I wish I would have watched this before I cut both wires and scared my neighbors cat so bad she jumped from a stand still straight into a garbage can 6 ft away! She hasn't come over to say hi since 😕 Thanks for the vid though, I got 6 lipos to do as soon as the XT60's get here!

[@rc_addict_marc7714]

i have used deans since the 1990's but i like the XT60 and other XT plug's keep up the great work RC Girl!!!!!!!

[@chancesrc4832]

Omg your adorable thanks so much. 😁I had a rock crawling event at my house and my biggest headache was having to find all the different adapters for everyone to charge and swap. It was a mess. Traxxas chargers charging lipos with ever connector image. So this will be my go to. Thanks

[@douglaselliott8298]

I'm somewhat a newbie to this avocation. Your tutorials are hugely appreciated as well as bookmarked for later reference.

[@RCGirl]

Awesome! Great to hear they are useful ;)

[@Rckid28]

I would recommend putting shrink tube or electrical tape on the end so that if one end ever comes unsoldered it won’t short your battery

[@mtnmyke]

The direction the xt60 connectors point wouldn't allow for anything to pass to the other side if it came un-soldered - especially with the cap on, it would simply pull out of the connector altogether. If you rotated the connectors then yes, they could definitely touch. I've done hundreds of connectors like this without an issue, but yes, a little heat shrink and a few seconds to put it on definitely doesn't hurt!

[@KetogenicGuitars]

Thanks for showing those rubber band tricks!

[@serenityenderson]

Bookmarked this a week ago for when I needed to do it in the future, but just ended up swapping an XT60 for an XT30 with your guide :) Thanks for putting it up!

[@dank3823]

Great soldering. Soldering can be tricky but you make it look easy

[@cookiemonsta_za]

Don't you mean saudering? Lol

[@johnjones2194]

you give very good tutorials i think its so much easier to learn from a woman keep it up

[@maxgood42]

Absolutely I change everything to xt60 as well as xt30 for led spot lighting I also use a xt60/xt30 combo on 3s packs with an adapter I made for balance charging. It’s a bit of a puzzle to make but it helps a lot for easy setups 😎

[@numberjuanfpv]

Nice tutorial. About to change the connector for a 12000mah lipo. Thanks!

[@kennethjensen7358]

Great video. Remember to heat both ends up properly. The un-isolated wires should be twisted again in the same direction the cobbler threads are twisted. When you pre-tin, the tin should not have a mat gloss, it should be shiny. If the tin also forms like a ball, where you can see it rounds on the surface it is attached on. Then it's not good. The edges on the tin should have a curve in the other direction than a ball and be shiny (hope it makes sense) 🙂 When you are finish, test the connection by grabbing the wire and pull semi hard multiple times 😉 If it sticks out should be okay 😉

[@FarmerFpv]

You should consider getting a tip cleaner for your iron that way it's always clean and won't contaminate your surface. It also gets better surface contact and keeps your tip from getting ruined. You can find them on Amazon from 5 to $10 all day with free one or two day shipping. Great job Rob

[@Jjcustomsllc]

Nice job Haley! That's how it's DONE.

[@mahdavimail]

Good simple video, I am sick of watching so many video with a lot of equipment to solder a battery connector when they can't even solder!! Lol TNX for video

[@thepredator1943]

a good tip is to prevent distortion from the heat connect both male and female together whilst soldering (sodering) stops the pins going out of sinc when plastic gets warm.

[@mtnmyke]

Especially on the male connectors!

[@stevenf0]

Very nice video as usual. If you have a soldering iron with a removable tip, its worth putting a wider one on to transfer more heat to those thicker wires quicker. Not necessary though as you've proved. Keep em coming RC Girl!

[@f86fman]

Thanks and 1 more tip for you: Being experienced you may already be aware of this but in case you don't... For your soldering iron holder you might want to place a small square piece of sponge in that little built-in tray on the holder. Prior to soldering, place the sponge under running water and squeeze out the excess. Insert wet sponge in tray. Now you have a very cool way to keep the tip of your iron clean. Just wipe the hot tip quickly across the wet sponge and presto!

[@wubbo73]

Hi, i like these kind of videos, they arevery instructive, but there are some things i do different. First, I dont cut the wires from the old connectors but unsolder them. It is good that you do one wire and then the other. Second, I use a solder iron with more power (weller wctp 51) and a thick point, Then the connector heats up faster and makes sure the plastic of the connector does not melt. Third, I also use shrink tubeon TX90 (on any connector), this makes i more secure. Fouth, When soldering the female connector i put a male in the female, this makes sure that the pins stay in place, even if they get hot. Fifth, make sure that during coledown of the soldering you do not move the wires or connector, therefore i put the male in a small wrench, that is more stable than a tool.

[@cwatson42785]

This helped me alot rc girl!! Always teaching me something! Great job! Thanks. Added to rc playlist. I could watch you solder all day lol

[@RcModelCarsVienna]

Haha your nail color fits good to the batteries 👍

[@MissouriAdventures]

Great vid! Modifying my first rc to try and keep up with my newly adopted lil buddy’s Slash vxl. Bought all. New guts to convert my ECX Amp to Lipo. Struggling with soldering for the first time, but this vid makes it look easy.

[@CCxRC]

Very thorough breakdown with great tips. I've soldered a bunch of batteries and connectors and can't say how many times I forget to put on the shrink wrap or the plastic cover before I attach the wire to the connector. 😂😂

[@RCGirl]

Haha same!!!

[@CCxRC]

Funny enough, this popped up on my tv as I’m soldering EC5 connectors on batteries. They’re the worst to install unless you order the pre-installed pins and just shrink wrap them (which is what I do) the new IC5 connectors are much better.

[@RCGirl]

@@CCxRC they're listening and watching us.... 🤖

[@BOBH1953]

Hi thanks for the info, and yes I could also use help with lipo's and lipo chargers, thanks in advance for your help.

[@jabflyer5159]

Nicely done! However, I always use shrink tube even with the plastic cap. It makes a stronger and rigid connection and is much better than tape which you have to remove. Also if you have a crash the connection is better protected for short circuit. Btw, I really would like to have a handy girl that is as beatifull as you are! Wouldn't we all guys!! Keep it up girl, I SUBSCRIBED! Greatings from Belgium.

[@sebastianjaromi3540]

Awesome video(I just got the same iron ) as a newbie to the hobby I'm super grateful for these types of videos as I blew up my ridgerock esc by buying crappy adapters so I could use my T style batteries so Im just going to swap out the ends so that I can run the same style of battery on all my rc's! Keep up the great work!!!!

[@charlesmoradi4057]

Great job explaining the safety precautions and how batteries "work". It helped me a lot when I swapped out my TRX connectors for XT90S.

[@jeremyyounger5442]

Before you even tin the wires you should make a heat bridge(solder on the soldering tip) first this makes the transfer of heat much faster and you don't need the temperature so high, the temperature only needs to be 300-350 degrees Celsius. When using with a heat bridge with the soldering iron on one side and the solder on the other, the wire should melt/soak the solder into the wire from one side to the other. When you are filling up the "cups" of connections you use the same technique, heat bridge on one side, solder on the other that way you will get even heat and the solder will melt with ease. Also when you are filling up these cups you want a shining filet, not a blob, this will also help with the wire just sliding in to the connector. Cheers from the industry.

[@zundy5455]

Hi Haley. Thanks I didn't know you were a Solder person too. Good Job. I was looking for a way to re-use bullet connectors but I ran across your Tube. Good to see you, Happy New Year to both of you.

[@D.J_RC]

Great job as usual. You were way more informative than I was. 😝

[@BellesAngelsRC]

Thanks this is a great video and I learned a lot so that I feel confident enough to do it myself.

[@isaacpadilla2313]

Keep it up girl..your doing the hobby a good service..thanks.

[@melgeller8943]

good job. i use a large spring paper clip tp hold the battery wire and also as a heat sink to protect the battery

[@rcfreakamit]

Exactly, this is what I missing the most in this otherwise very good video. Needless to say when using the older type XT60 (with shrink tubing), this is a must.

[@joedipietro2559]

Great video presentation Rcgirl you rock.thanks so much again as I'm a noob and have not tried doing this myself yet. I'm going to be buying a Traxxas TRX 4 ford f150 in metallic brown really soon an I want to use deans type terminals on the truck itself so I can use my existing battery and charger without buying Traxxas battery and charger combo and I watched your video on that truck 👍 its another thoroughly professional video presentation so thankyou so much again great work Rcgirl. Im also an MTB biker but here in Australia with a pretty nice Norco MTB. CHEERS thanks again great work RCGIRL.👍

[@modex20]

There’s an old video from like the 60s by PACE corporation on soldering cup terminals. They preformed some twisted solder wire and put that in the cup. Then heated it until it melted followed immediately by inserting the wire lead. What was neat about that method is that there was active flux in the cup since the preform wasn’t melted ahead of time.

[@normancox393]

Thank You for the tip on changing out the battery plugs. I am new to the RC Hobbie ... but fully in love with it. I have so much to learn, and your videos are very helpful to me ... I have subscribed.

[@boss2234]

I am a plane guy but you have grate production videos .

[@darylbates9953]

Thank you for this video. Some great tips in the holding of the wires and connectors. I look forward to all of your videos.

[@angelreading5098]

Great job,safety is essential and this video will help a lot of people.

[@ssranon]

Great use of rubbers bands, will definitely incorporate that idea into ny future soldering, thanks.

[@carnivorouslee]

You are the spitting image of my friend Chris! It's uncanny! Great video though!

[@nate9114]

Thank you, I use one of those little soldering stands with the clips that make the experience better for me. I used your links for those black connectors. hope it helps!

[@USNVA11]

Watching this video I realized that you truly are the perfect woman. 🥰 I mean, how many gals know how to do a proper soldering job ? You are an RC guy’s dream gal !

[@issecret1]

The answer is a lot of them. They just don't want anything to do with men who make comments like these

[@USNVA11]

@@issecret1 - my comment was made somewhat in jest but definitely intended as a compliment. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, not that I give a hoot.

[@cwatson42785]

great video rc girl!! Always wanted to know how to do this. Added to rc playlist. Also you are looking lovely as always! 😊

[@HappyPandaPropertyServicesTV]

Great vid, to the point and well filmed. Thanks for the info.

[@RCPMK]

hobbyking is a great source for everything XT connector related.

[@lukoppc]

Great idea to use Pliers with a rubber band! I will try again using that tequnique, as my last soldering sucks :D

[@RC4X4]

Great video. I like this soldering iron. Never got into a fancy one. I will order one like you are using, like it! I've been thing about switching to XT60's. Been using Deans for ever especially on my planes. I hate to switch, but I like the black connectors. I use PowerLab 6's to charge everything too. I think I will look into switching. Thanks for the video,

[@jonthomas8487]

You are a great teacher! I switching my ESC out and want to keep the bullet connectors I have and this will come in handy. The proper wattage of soldering iron is something people talk about. Is a 40W enough for RC? I really do not envision ever doing anything other than soldering connectors, two wires together or leads to a motor.

[@grizz6084]

Hi nice job you made it look easy great idea to use the bands as helper must give that a try look forward to your next tip.😝

[@drewparcel1727]

I've noticed in the hobby that you never see people change their batteries connectors and I did not see many videos on this which was not necessarily a bad thing. This is probably one of the more dangerous tasks in this hobby and I dont think most people should try this without a knowledgeable person on hand. Its so easy to create a lipo fire and I believe tasks like this should be left to professionals

[@haldunkarabyk5482]

You've done a good job. Congratulations RC girl.

[@easystar123]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting, it was really helpful.

[@3Y3ECE]

Liked, subbed, awesome! Thank you, was not looking forward to looking up how to do this, but not only is the process simple, but you've presented it simply. I dig it. Keep up the great work, the more cars I get the more questions I get!

[@edwardcarr9986]

Thanks for all your help 😊

[@nathanhunzeker6033]

Great job heating those hefty wires with that tiny tip! Thought you might need a little bigger tip. Great video!

[@RCGirl]

I need a better iron!!! 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@danbrown1888]

Really good video, made it clear, thank you.

[@DWALLPAINT]

Very professional work, Thanks my friend ❤️❤️❤️👌👌

[@bensp1193]

See you improve your skills on soldering amazing job done RC Girl. Cheers

[@mazpr2025]

I swap em every now and then. There is also adapters of all flavors and colors sold on Ebay. If you have never solder, I highly suggest, start w a old radio, rc toy, to get your feet wet before you jump into lipo batteries. * the spark that she talks about is no joke. This is not your usual positive negative spark, its extremely flammable and literally fuse both wires together and bursts into fire in fractions of a second.

[@andrewcrofts531]

Very informative and useful video. Thank you, I'll have my iron out later and will be having a go myself....wish me luck!! Andy.

[@RCGirl]

Good luck! You can always practice on some spare connectors/wires before you have a go at your battery

[@martianmanhunter3978]

First time on your channel. Good stuff!

[@tobyreinhardt9022]

Some great tips in this video. Thanks!!

[@timvanasen6711]

Hi Hayley I'm Jessica Tim's wife I love your channel we girls gotta be strong in this mans world of rc I love Tim's hobby it's super fun to trail run with him he built me a Tamayia Mercedes Benz G500 that's actually what I drive you're very skilled with building rc's that's cool 👍

[@stevendegiorgio3143]

I use mainly EC3 connectors on my planes.I really havent had to do much soldering in th 20 plus years I have been flying electrics.When I did a complete change over from super tygre type connectors to EC3 connectors,I just gently cut the side of the connector shell and slide them off and installl an EC3 connector shell and im good for years.

[@KevinMillard68]

great job on the video

[@paultroalic6676]

I couldn't take my eyes of you! You did a great job but wrong connectors for me. Need to look for spade ones. Thanks though.

[@littleraptor9898]

oh, and just a tip: before soldering i recommend promptly discharging the battery to 3.20 or 3.30V each cell, so that when you get the wires too close by accident, a random spark wont jump and fry your battery.

[@georgeparsons6632]

Just watched great video. I had a question new to soldering lipo batteries I have one that's fully charged and the dean connector broke. Was wondering if it matters how charged the lipo is when going to solder a new connector? Thanks.

[@andreaskassner3320]

For the big LiPos for the big cars is the best XT150. Its easy to use and more practicable to put a single LiPo or two in series.

[@RocketDolphin89]

A good tip for xt60's, you can actually turn the "cups" of the connecter so both sit the same way, no need to flip it over when soldering.

[@VolkanSenguel]

You should use shrinking tube in generally to safe the wires ;)

[@cl-audio322]

Awesome vid! Don't forget to keep your soldering tips clean throughout the process!! ;)

[@Johnellenberger1]

Another good vid so I subscribed! I think you did a better job at a solder vid than I did!!! A cool plane you should try out is the Freewing Lippisch P.15. Excellent flying little 64mm EDF wing that flies like its on rails....

[@gvanausdle]

Thanks for showing the new connectors. I didn't know those existed. Also don't do this while your not feeling well. I didn't do like you said and triple check the connections. I some how, though I looked, swapped the polarity. I didn't double or triple check. I connected to my fimi a3 after previously doing a mod, and I fried it. A nice little pop, I could smell smoke. I was so angry with myself. Huge lesson learned. Expensive too. Crazy thing is it actually started up. But something definitely was wrong as the original battery I was using was full of showed it was draining fast. I tested the battery but it showed full. Anyone need parts for a fimi A3?

[@loquitos1972]

wondering why you cut the cable from the Deans connector as you mentioned you want to have the cable as long as possible. Since it was soldered on and protected with heat tube you could just cut the heat tube, desolder it. Then maximum length, and the end of the cable is already pre-soldered and saves you one step to do. And if after desoldering the end looks horrible, then use a plier to just form the end :).. that's how I would do it .... Interesting though but it's indeed really easy. Did the soldering thing already when I was just about 12 years old :)

[@thecraftking113]

Nicely done 👍

[@chrisricotta7063]

Great video. I can work on rc's, drones , paint bodies all day long but have back away from the soldering . I have solderd but not pretty 😐

[@earlyculyer4103]

Could you do a video or do you have a video on changing the batteries inside the receiver You know the batteries that are in the car/truck.. I want to change them to PowerBlock. Could you recommend the battery and the charger also. Me and my wife are totally new to the hobby but we heard about the runaway. Vehicle calamity..

[@Everett-xe3eg]

Hey sweet rubber band trick on the pliers!

[@aaronyoung2607]

This can or can't be done on a Traxxas or Spectrum smart batteries? I probably should just buy batteries with balance cords. Great video..

[@ericchristopher9037]

Nice and helpful, thanks RC Girl. Next time, don’t forget the wet sponge to clean the soldering iron! ;-)