Battery connectors

[Ivryl]

Hi all builders
I’m looking for rugged, reliable, easy-to-connect, waterproof connectors for my 2nd build. Searching for alternatives I came across with Deutsch HD30 connector. Has anyone used those? https://laddinc.com/products/deutsch/hd30-series/
Or could you share data, picture, cad-drawings of your battery connectors?

[Larsb]

Why do you need waterproof connectors? Isn’t your compartment dry?

[Ivryl]

Only for extra safety.

[Bufadore]

Try QS-10 connectors. You can order them from Offshore electrics. With the O-ring installed they are waterproof.
Cheers.

[SoEFoil]

Would you have a link for these very nice “Aerial 51” blue alu boxes ?

@Bufadore

Try QS-10 connectors. You can order them from Offshore electrics. With the O-ring installed they are waterproof.

Do you have a particular reason to recommend the 10mm diam OSE QS-10 connectors over the 8mm diam OSE-QS-8 ones ? Both seem to accept up to AWG6 wires but the 8mm costs half the price of the 10mm (not a big deal though).
@Flightjunkie is using the 8mm version and does some extra waterproofing

Flightjunkie's second board. Invention of the SUP efoil

Hi. The key to zero thrust is finesse. It’s constantly changing as your speed changes. But, yes. This works. However, it’s not the same as a folding prop. With a folding prop you don’t have to concentrate on the trigger. You just forget about the motor and that allows / forces you to ride the wave, pump the foil, actually make the wave propel you. I never had that feeling when concentrating on the throttle and the zero thrust technique. As far as waterproofing these plugs, [Screenshot_202008…

[brycej]

I’d be tempted to run the QS-10 if I was running CAN (to battery BMS) or the receiver (to get better reception) out my ESC box with the other 4 connections on there. My ESC box is below the board, left connected to the mast. But I just got some QS-8s that are working well, but have to disconnect my RX antenna separately.

[kotnascher]

Have you heard of the Amphenol SurLok Plus? 120A continuous current and IP67. I used them on an inflatable eFoil build and was not disappointed.
Here ist the Datasheet and the (german) Shoplink where i bought them.

[brycej]

Those would be excellent, I didn’t go for them because I didn’t think they were anti-spark and I don’t have a BMS (that could current limited on startup). Was worried about a big voltage spike taking the ESC. Did you have any issues?

[kotnascher]

Jep, you should definitely use an extra anti-spark switch. In my case the BMS has a reed switch with anti-spark function. So i plug in the amphenol connectors first and after that put a magnet on the BMS-containig batterypack which turns on the Board

[SoEFoil]

@kotnascher

My case BMS has a reed switch with anti-spark function

Would you have a link ?

[kotnascher]

It’s a Daly Smart BMS with bluetooth and around 300A i think. I don’t know which one exactly because i didn’t build the battery by myself. Maybe the reed switch is an external one connected to one of the “switch ports” of the BMS

[nice2cu]

@kotnascher

Daly Smart BMS

Wich one?

… need 20 characters

[kotnascher]

Hey Robert, Just read my last comment

[nice2cu]

@kotnascher

Daly Smart BMS with bluetooth and around 300A

yes, i googled theme but fount only this one: Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

[kotnascher]

That is everything i know, sorry

[Oliver]

I can absolutely not recommend those connectors. Build quality and resistance values are bad. I ordered 5 pairs of them directly from the manufacturer. Afters about 30 cycles of connecting and disconnecting the anti spark resistor broke. This happend 2 times. Dont buy them. For best resistance values and high AMPS you should go for the LMT Hochstromstecksystem 400 A Downside of them is, that there is no connector protection available.

[Ivryl]

Thanks for everybody for the comments.
My setup will have two 6S12P-batteries connected to series. I will charge the batteries with a balancing charger. Currently I have 3 options for the connectors:

1. Amphenol SurLok Plus: I would need 4 female connectors and 8 male connectors. Cost around 100€. Using these I would have to make 4 connections each time connecting the battery.
2. Phoenix Contacts 4 pin setup: I would need 1 female with and 2 males. Cons cost with a metal IP69 graded housing approx 150€ (haven’t got the price yet), pros only 1 connection needed.
3. XT90 connectors with a diy housing: Far the cheapest but not sure… At the moment only for 1 connector, will try to sketch for double XT90 connectors.
   Here is a screenshot what I have sketched for the XT90 connector. I have planned this with a thought of easy connection and easy release.
   
   My thought is to attach the XT90 to the housing with epoxy and with an o-ring (missing from the sketch) the whole connector would be watertight. I have printed the first prototype. It works but there’s still adjustments to be done.

[foilmore]

This is a great option for the xt90 waterproof housing. The guy originally designed them for anderson PP45’s, but he put a lot of effort into making them work quite well and his video does a good job of explaining everything!

Waterproof housings for Anderson Powerpole connectors by ToddF

[sat_be]

You could also build a waterproof version of the AS150, there are some different versions in the forum: DIY - budget - high amp waterproof connectors

[Ivryl]

Thank you @foilmore and @sat_be for those links. Those were new to me and I will take a thorough look at those options. They both look more sophistocated than my prototype.