How to Solder RC Plugs (XT90, XT60, Traxxas TRX, Deans, IC5, IC3, EC5, EC3, Redcat Banana).

[@phillipthomas3864]

I just got back into the hobby after 35 years and can't believe how much the technology has changed. I've been watching a million different videos and I find yours to be the absolute best. I've learned so much from watching your channel!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words! Agree 100%, the technology has come a LONG way vs when I was a kid!

[@zdattonejones6709]

A true hobbiest. Thanks for setting the record straight for the people who don't know.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad to help!

[@dirtdevilrcmotorsports]

great video dude, this is the one part of the hobby I struggle with. I can solder LEDs and make my own light kits but I have never been able to get the plugs soldered properly. you have made it look a little easier

[@RoadsideRC]

You can do it! Patience, a clean tip, and some good solder - you have got this!

[@rickrogers2649]

Great instructional video Troy. I've soldered before but haven't seen all the different types of plugs up close before. Very helpful. Many thanks.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertloudenslager1581]

Great video as always. Learned to solder from my Dad who did scratch built RC Planes for 40 years. He would agree with your techniques. I started doing crawlers with Deans plugs but am changing everything to XT60's. Keep up the good work on your videos and commentary. Thanks.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks for the kind words Robert! I bet once you swap to XT60, you will never go back. :)

[@joshualester2735]

@@RoadsideRC I just don't get the xt60 love everyone has. they just feel cheap and somehow harder than deans to pull apart.

[@a.ndy.nonymous]

I need to swap out the proprietary redcat connector on my son's basher so he can have the same connector as my car and use my batteries so this video has perfect timing! Thank you!

[@RoadsideRC]

Awesome! Glad to help.

[@WoolstyRC]

Awesome video always good to learn new stuff, I struggle with soldering so hopefully this will improve the little soldering skill I have 🤣🤣👊🏼🤙🏼💨🇬🇧

[@RoadsideRC]

You can do it! Just practice some. Similar to what I did for the video - just random leftover plugs and wire. Go for it!

[@Ayrton_Groesbeck]

Good video! Wish I had a video like this when a changed all my connectors over to XT90 last summer.

[@RoadsideRC]

Ha! Of course - always a day late for me!

[@mmalone685]

Thanks to your video I soldered a few batteries and a few ESC’s

[@RoadsideRC]

That is awesome! Glad I could help!

[@MIstastacks24]

Hey man jus wanted to sy i love your bedside manner when it comes to teaching us how to get things done. Feels very dad like explaining to his idiot kid how to do shit.. very appreciated ty sir. Love from nyc brooklyn bushwick.

[@RoadsideRC]

Ha! Haven't heard it described that way before! Thank you.

[@mauritsvw]

Thanks so much for your comprehensive covering of all the kinds of battery plugs. My problem was assembling the EC3 plug, and I got my answer in your video.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it helped!

[@scaleworksRC]

I can solder, but it's something I tend to overthink when it comes down to the process. Thanks for the refresher on the basics.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad to help!

[@rc-shedshakedown3191]

Damn, mating the connectors! What a great and simple tip! Thanks!

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billyb5057]

crazy the amount of different plugs and sockets out there so useful to be able to solder wires to them nice work *A big like 👍Au👀A full view to*

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks 👍

[@williamgaines6823]

Great job. Not long drawn but straight to the point. It helped alot

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it helped!!!

[@RCVOODOO]

great video for people that are looking to learn soldering.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad you think so!

[@acebacker1]

Thank you. Excellent advice and presentation.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samoanpride753]

Awesome video! I just tried soldering the other day and then i realized i suck at it! 🤣thank you sir!(:

[@RoadsideRC]

Great! Try again, and make sure to keep the tip clean!

[@ericrudy2504]

Thank you on the EC plugs! Knocking my brain on those all day yesterday and today lol. I actually just ordered the same jig that you have as I'm pretty sure I'm not growing a 3rd arm anytime soon.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad I could help! Hope you get them fixed up!

[@a-ztube]

Great video allways love how to do's and that's allways very needed in our hobby community. Keep it up 💪🏾 😉

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks! I hope this helps some folks!

[@asificam1]

Switching all the 12 volt stuff my whole family owns (mine and theirs) to XT60 for safety and convenience reasons. I had a problem with some 12v gadgets for automotive where I had some things with backwards wired SAE connectors (those weird ones that are symmetrical with one naked and one insulated connector)... they're supposed to have the + side on the battery side encased in case it touches the vehicle body ground so it wont short... turns out that some of them are wired backwards and others are not which is a recipe for shorts and other catastrophic failures. Turns out that the hobby connectors are both cheap, and relatively safe since they are usually connected to Lithium ion packs (LiPo is a type of lithium ion that happens to be in a pouch instead of a metal canister). XT60 connectors are cheap and both genders are partly recessed which makes them safe for both the chargers and batteries. But they are also physically smaller than XT90 and our chargers are all smaller than 60 amps (most are small battery tenders) so the XT60 is overkill by a wide margin. The XT60 also has a panel mount version that I am using on my PC to tap 12 volts off its power supply and power all the gizmos on my desk from the PC instead of having 20 power bricks for random things... plus having 20 power bricks at low load is less efficient than taking that power from the PC which is operating at a higher efficiency point... and I trust my PC tower's overkill sized ATX power supply way more than el-cheapo power bricks... but finding a good conector was tough given all the connectors I found were all for other tasks and I don't want to have a connector on the back of a PC with 12 volts that looks like a 5 volt USB or a headphone jack, or a network jack, etc... but an XT60 is only ever used for power so there is no chance of making any mistakes and letting magic smoke out of things.

[@RoadsideRC]

All sounds logical to me. Glad it works for you!

[@asificam1]

@@RoadsideRC Was the best connector that was available at a reasonable price. Also, not being part of a brand makes them less likely to disappear any time soon which is what I really wanted. Though a 60 amp connector is a little overkill for a 0.050 amp (50mA) solar maintainer... even the largest one we have is able to generate less than 300mA (0.3 A). Should have looked into RC connectors sooner than I did... derp.

[@jondeak]

Thank you!!! Not so nervous to try making a Traxxas Plug now!

[@RoadsideRC]

Great! Good luck!

[@corygallant99]

Wow thanks bud for the very helpful video 👍👍👍👌😎

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KurtsRCs]

Great tips it is a big part of the hobby

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes! People really need to know how to do this!

[@FloydThomasIII]

Thanx for your video. It helps a lot. 💯👍

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it helped!

[@rogerchevelle8543]

That was a Awesome video. Very well explained.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you!

[@barrywise2773]

Outstanding !

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you.

[@jonbennett118]

You are a saint!

[@RoadsideRC]

Ha! Not sure about that - but glad to hear it was helpful! :)

[@jerrymccreary4081]

I can't solder to save my life I see all you guys do it and it looks great in using using just a cheap iron and I don't know if it don't get hot enough or I'm using the wrong solder or what but it's about got me wanting to quit the hobby so discouraged

[@RoadsideRC]

I am sorry to hear that! YES - 2 common issues. 1) using a iron that doesn't get hot enough. I have my Weller turned to MAX and leave it there. 2) the non-leaded solder takes A LOT more heat to melt. Use the leaded, it is so much easier to work with.

[@jerrymccreary4081]

@@RoadsideRC thanks so much I'm gonna give it a try it's so disappointing

[@dominodoggy1]

Well that makes total sense to set the XT60 on its side. 🤔😆

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad it helped!

[@homeworkpictureshq]

Good sharing... Thank you

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you!

[@backdoorfourx4rc]

Great video! 👍

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you! 👍

[@jaysrcs]

Super helpful! Can you cover properly changing plugs on the battery itself in another video by chance?

[@RoadsideRC]

Sure! The soldering part is 100% the same. You just want to do one side at a time, and be very careful to not let the ends touch.

[@sbrc8725]

Great how-to🤙

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@Daytona89]

Question. If my ESC has XT60. Can I connect it with a Spektrum lipo which has IC5?

[@RoadsideRC]

Nope! I have used EC5 that connected in to XT-90. XT60 is much smaller, and the IC versions have the center plug that will make it more difficult as well.

[@mlastudioproductions]

What's a good iron temperature to use on XT60 and XT90 Connectors? I'm struggling to tin XT60 Connectors with a jig and a Hakko FX-888D iron

[@RoadsideRC]

Honestly - I crank mine all the way up and never look back...

[@navbes]

nice vid man , very interesting

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad you think so!

[@tomkrushlin]

You made it look simple

[@RoadsideRC]

It really is!!! I promise!

[@rhelton72]

Good video thanks!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks for watching!

[@MaxPower-zp7wy]

So are the wires in my batteries or esc pre tinned ? Also John Salt said he had to use a 280W welding gun on the bigger connector. So what type of soldering iron do i need that gets hot enough ?

[@RoadsideRC]

1) the wires are not always pre-tinned. I suggest you do that. It will be obvious when you look at them whether they are or not. 2) needing something on the range of 280W is for HUGE jobs. I have run an 80W Weller for years now and it does everything I have needed from an RC side.

[@aman313-vn4xe]

How much Watt is the Iron rod? What type of lead? I tried so many ways buy every time My iron touches the bullet is does not become hot enough to melt the lead… im using dekko 20-200w iron and 60-40 lead 2% flux lead

[@RoadsideRC]

This is a 100W iron with leaded solder. Iron is turned as hot as it will go. Do you tin the tip with solder before trying? Also, any wind or cold temperatures makes a difference.

[@freerangehuman7016]

What gauge wire for xt90 used for RC truck and battery applications?

[@RoadsideRC]

Around 10 gauge works great.

[@philthyco1]

Very good info..I still gtta get me a proper soldering jig! I still use a crescent wrench to hold mine 😂

[@RoadsideRC]

I bought the one in the video to test, and have used it for the last month...just for this video. I had been using locking pliers! :)

[@philthyco1]

@@RoadsideRC I clicked the link for it but it's unavailable at the moment

[@RoadsideRC]

Already sold out!!! Dang.

[@shaunwatts6114]

Sorry, just found this video, as i have a broken deans connector I'm trying to replace. Very helpful. What state must the Lipo Battery be in before I can safely solder the wires? As in, should it be at storage, or at 10% or completely discharged (which makes it hard to charge again)

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad to help! The amount of charge in the battery does not matter. Just be careful to not touch the ends together!

[@bkg2213]

Excellent video! Very well explained and camera views are perfect to show exactly how it's done. Side note-you seem like a super cool guy. Your personality adds to the quality of the video. New sub. Great info.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you for those kind words!

[@arturosanvicente]

No other video tells what is the third cable for in iC3, but you. I saw you soldered a red wire in XT60 conector to minus side. 4:20

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad I could help!

[@diuukchannel]

Nice video

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you!

[@diuukchannel]

@@RoadsideRC welcome

[@thecarbonfiberkid]

No love for castle creations connectors. Those are what I run on my Xmaxx and looking at getting a XRT.

[@RoadsideRC]

Yep - sorry. I run XT-90 on my X-maxx as well.

[@Hitsugaya10x]

Is there a practice kit or something I can practice on before just jumping into my actual car?

[@RoadsideRC]

Sure! Just solder bare wires onto the plugs! Doesn't have to be connected to a car or battery.

[@cacanjacowans540]

Great video... my question. Do you recommend different size tips for different gauge wires & connectors? Seems it was the only thing you left out 👌🏽

[@RoadsideRC]

Unless I go to a very small wire, I only use the one you see here.

[@rcchronicles25]

Hi. Great video. I am having assorted of issues with my first time soldering as I can't seem to find an RC video to show how to remove old soldered wires from a motor. Wouldn't you just heat the gun, press to the Solder and pull the wire? Nothing happens, the old Solder doesn't really heat, nothing moves, and I'm at 400 degrees c. Driving me nuts

[@RoadsideRC]

Add a little solder to the tip and the wire you are attempting to remove. It gives more surface area to transfer the heat. That should do it!

[@rcchronicles25]

@RoadsideRC Fantastic thanks RRC, I'll give that a go this evening 👍

[@agent_447]

Thinking to replace all the dean plugs. Absolute pain to open them some times.

[@RoadsideRC]

Agree! Deans are my least favorite!

[@dirtrider88]

what temperature do you solder a ic5 connector at? i tried soldering some wires on one today but by the time it was hot enough to melt the solder the connector melted the plastic housing and the connector moved. yes i tinned everything. i dont remember exactly how hot i had it set but i think it was around 750

[@RoadsideRC]

Honestly, my iron doesn't have a temp readout. I leave it at max temp. Two things: 1) did you have the other side of the plug connected, as I show as a tip in the video? That helps keep everything aligned. 2) check that youbare using leaded solder. The unleaded has a much higher melting point.

[@Valadur83]

Tranks für the Video. I know how to sonder cables and stuff but did not knew the different plugs an how to sonder them. When im Right you actually use some other Plug type in your Drifter? Some Kind of Bolts? Is there a Video of how to work with these? Greetings from Germany

[@RoadsideRC]

Hello! Yes - on my drift car, I use simple bullets. They solder much the same way as the EC plugs do. Very easy!

[@Valadur83]

@@RoadsideRC i ordered the same Lipo and there are 2 bullets with it, when i understand the Description right. I will try my best. Thanks for your helpfull Videos.

[@brianbrissette9444]

with an ec5 / ec3 I get that the cups (female) goes on the battery, but is it a large or small plastic?

[@RoadsideRC]

If I understand your question correctly, it is the small.

[@burtpanzer]

What gauge of wire might you use to power a FC? The ESC is maybe 18GA, but the Lipo is like 10GA, so maybe like 12GA?

[@RoadsideRC]

I like to use as big as I can get away with. If the battery is 10ga, I would stick to that.

[@nickwilliams6869]

On the picture on the right what are the connectors there the same but one it bigger

[@RoadsideRC]

EC3 and EC5

[@nickwilliams6869]

@@RoadsideRC thanks

[@Shreddylife]

I am having such a hard time removing a IC5 wire from the factory solder. I have heated the solder joint so long and it seems like nothing I do will get it hot enough to remove it lol

[@RoadsideRC]

To help with the heat transfer, add a little solder. It helps give more surface area contact between the iron and the connector - usually that does the trick.

[@Shreddylife]

@@RoadsideRC Thanks for the tip. I realized my soldering iron is only 30 watt so what I did is use my mini torch to heat up the tip on the iron and quickly touch it to the solder joint and was able to remove it. I am going to order a higher watt soldering iron and toss this junky one from harbor freight I bought years ago lol

[@Storyracing387]

This is a video I needed to see! Thank you! My son's RMX has a couple of adapters on it that need to go away lol! It has a 60 at one end and a 90 at the other. What is the name of that jig you were using? That looks really cool.

[@RoadsideRC]

Great! Here is the jig: www.amazon.com/dp/B08934NK3B/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_glt_i_84BD451QZ5MBCMCJ7221?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ml2&tag=roadsiderc-20

[@Storyracing387]

@@RoadsideRC thanks 👍

[@Dede_01014]

How many watt solder you use to that connector?

[@RoadsideRC]

I use as much as possible. This was an 80W iron.

[@gillian9178]

Do you find much difference between using 60-40 leaded solder & 63-37 leaded solder ?

[@RoadsideRC]

Nope! Can't tell.

[@winstonoso5821]

Do u wet the sponge or not? N Also thurs a can of I think is flux that hard n the can. How do you use that?

[@RoadsideRC]

The sponge is wet - yes. The flux should not be hard. It is a soft material.

[@phillybrc]

My ec5 sleeves wont slide into the “back “ of the connector. How did you do that? Lol

[@RoadsideRC]

Pushed hard! Maybe yours are a different design?

[@phillybrc]

@@RoadsideRC Possibly. Thanx for gettin’ back

[@mikew.2935]

Thanks for the video, I just subscribed to your channel after watching this and some other RC demo and review videos. I've never soldered anything in my life but it's time to learn I guess as I'm all in on the RC Hobby now. lol Are you familiar with the TS101 solder iron? I have one ordered I am hoping to use but I'm not sure if it will work on these gauge of wire/connectors. Anyways, enjoy the channel. Keep the great videos coming 🙂

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks Mike! I used soldering iron similar to the TS101. It was OK. It takes a LONG time to get the solder hot enough to work - but it should be enough to get you started. Good luck!

[@michaelchamberlain1688]

Fancy little jig,where did you get that?

[@michaelchamberlain1688]

I found it on Amazon,😊😂

[@the_mister_mino]

Tip: buy extra and plan on a couple attempts 🤪👍🏻

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes!

[@patricklavoie8719]

Does the flux have an expiration date and need to be kept refrigerated? Thank you :)

[@RoadsideRC]

I have never treated it either way. I don't think so.

[@patricklavoie8719]

@@RoadsideRC Ok thanks! I read somewhere before that it was the case but it might be specific brands only.

[@RoadsideRC]

What you saw in the video is easily 1yr+ old, and has lived in my garage the whole time.

[@takenotez808]

What’s the best temp when soldering these ?

[@RoadsideRC]

Honestly - I crank my soldering iron as high as it goes. Helps everything melt together fast.

[@takenotez808]

@@RoadsideRC guess I’ll do exactly that.. I’m a first time rc builder so I needed to finds these videos for tips. Thanks for this video

[@RoadsideRC]

@@takenotez808 Glad to help!

[@ufobuff4173]

Hi Troy I was wondering how high you set your soldering iron?

[@RoadsideRC]

Basically as high as it goes. The hotter it is, the quicker it works.

[@ufobuff4173]

@@RoadsideRC okay thankyou Troy I appreciate you👊

[@blacksheeprc8113]

Waiting on my soldier to come in the mail

[@RoadsideRC]

Great!

[@deadbeast99k85]

Dude must be hulk , I can get these things to "pop in" on the ec3 withing fucking the wire

[@RoadsideRC]

Hmm. That is odd.

[@deadbeast99k85]

@@RoadsideRC are you using new or used connectors ? I'm thinking that the older ones are a bit softer

[@RoadsideRC]

@@deadbeast99k85 These had been used before - good call.

[@sebastianayala173]

Te falto el jst

[@RoadsideRC]

¡Lo siento! No incluí ese.

[@mustangracer5124]

Why the hell are there 19,000 frikkin plugs?.. a different plug for every day of the year.

[@RoadsideRC]

Ha! Everyone thought their idea was the best! :)

[@GreatLakesRC]

Great video 👍

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks 👍

[@Dede_01014]

For solder connector xt 90, what the type solder tip you use?

[@RoadsideRC]

I use the biggest tip I can. It helps transfer heat faster.