Improve Deans Connector Grip

[BrianG]

I've heard some people complain that the Deans connectors are too small to grip effectively, and are therefore hard to connect/disconnect. You can yank on the wires, but that's not the best idea. Unless you want to move to a different connector type, you're kinda stuck. Not to mention changing over all the connectors you already bought and soldered.

There are other "psuedo-Deans" out there that have a longer grip area, but those aren't usually readily available at hobby shops like Deans are.

However, a little work with a glue gun can improve this. Not only that, but this mod also provides a little strain relief for the wires.

Step 1: The wire/connector




Step 2: Apply hotglue all around the wires right up to the connector. Don't add too much at once or it'll just drip off, and may burn you (trust me, it hurts). So, apply it in layers if needed. Since it will melt down somewhat, I make it larger than the connector.




Step 3: When cooled, get some heatshrink large enough to go over the whole thing. It's ok if the end overlaps the connector end because it will be trimmed later.




Step 4: With a heatgun, shrink the tubing all the way around. If the hotglue underneath looks lumpy, hold the heatgun on a little longer so it starts to melt the hotglue inside. Not too much though or it'll come out.




Step 5: Right away, hold the whole thing up by the wires. This will keep the hotglue from oozing out the end while it cools.




Step 6: Once cooled, trim the excess heatshrink on the connector end to clean it up. There may be some hotglue that oozed out here, but that ok because it doesn't stick too well to the Deans connector and comes off easily.




Now you should be able to grasp the connector easily. And the heatshrink shouldn't come off because the hotglue has bonded to the shrink inside. The only disadvantage to this is replacing a worn connector will probably be a PITA.

[lincpimp]

Nifty, this forum needs a section for BrianG sticky how-to threads!

[BrianG]

Lol, it would be a pretty weak section since I don't post these things every day.

[Sammus]

I buy mine from hobby city (yeah, not genuine, sorry :P) and the plastic is all ribbed, awesome grip :P

[glassdoctor]

Hmm... ribbed... nice.

[jhautz]

Seriously Brian. Where do you find the time to think these things up. I love it.


However, I just dont see me doing this on every connector I own. I guess I'm just too lazy and pulling the wire hasnt ever caused me any problems yet. I guess it could wear the wire out at the solder point, but I just look at it as I am making sure the solder joint is still strong after each run.

[rcsammy]

lol i always use hot glue on my deans, instead of heatshrink though. i find it easier
i also use the deans from hobbycity, very good grip

[Gee]

Originally Posted by glassdoctor

Hmm... ribbed... nice.

"need... to... focus..... stay out of the gutter Gee, just walk away."


Thanks Brian. I like the idea. I have the problem with the heat shrink on my deans connectors getting pulled away or tearing from disconneting them. Now I have to find where I hid the glue gun. My brother went nuts with it last visit. Thought he could fix everything with a little hot glue. Scratch that a lot of hot glue.

[DRIFT_BUGGY]

Nice work, have to give it a try

[magman]

NICE.... I will have to put this on my " to do RC weekend list "

Thanks Brian for the tip..

[Dagger Thrasher]

Now that's inspired, Brian! Might just have to use that trick on my Deans'.

[SpEEdyBL]

You could also make a diagonal cut about 1mm away from the meeting edges, which would allow just enough space to wedge a fingernail between the connectors. Just throwing it out there as another option.