Tips to make soldering 3 wires to 1 Dean's terminal easier?

[shelljeep]

I am working on the power plug for a dual esc setup with a CC BEC. Trying to avoid using a Y.

I need to solder two red esc wires plus 1 red BEC wire to the positve terminal, same but opposite for the neg. terminal.
Everytime I try to add a wire to the terminal, one of the previously soldered wires pops off.
I have tried to solder all 3 together then solder it as a mass to the terminal, same thing happens. As soon as the solder liquifies, the wires pop apart.
I've thought about trying to use a ziptie around them, right next to the tinned ends.
I'm using a helping hand thing with the alligator clips already, it still happens.

I'm going to try the microwave next.

[shelljeep]

Would this fit better in the tools section?

[AreCee]

The simple answer is to only solder one wire to the terminal. Solder the other wires to a spot about 1 or 2 cm on the wire from the terminal. In other words take two of the red wires and solder them to the third red wire in an area away from the Deans, then solder the one red wire that the other two are attached to onto the Deans. Done. (it really doesn't matter where on the main wire you attach the other two.)

[shelljeep]

So, have the wires inline with each other, but stacked sequentially behind the one that is soldered to the term?
Then I guess I just need to make sure I have a big enough diameter on the heatshrink to cover that section.
OK, thanks. I think I can make that look clean. I'll post up a pic when I'm done.

[rhett314]

Depending on what esc you are using, I've seen people solder the bec to the battery posts on the esc. Might save some headache. Or I have also done the inline soldering, but it's hard to get the shrink tube on there. The liquid electrical tape is good for this though.

[heyok]

If it is not too late, my suggestion would be to take a thin strand of maybe 22 gauge or 24 gauge and wrap around the stripped portion of the wires you want to solder to the Deans. This will help hold it together, then tin the bundle. The Deans should be tinned too. Then go for it. Good luck

[JohnRobHolmes]

A set of small hemostats could help. You need a good mechanical bond to the joint anyway, solder is a poor conductor.

[ram_tough]

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

A set of small hemostats could help.

Hemo-Who

[JohnRobHolmes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemostat

[shelljeep]

Mamba Micro Pros, so no exposed battery posts.
What temp do you guys recommend for 16 gage wire? I'm using 300*C and it seems to be pretty good, do I have room to come down some more?

[shelljeep]

Originally Posted by heyok

If it is not too late, my suggestion would be to take a thin strand of maybe 22 gauge or 24 gauge and wrap around the stripped portion of the wires you want to solder to the Deans. This will help hold it together, then tin the bundle. The Deans should be tinned too. Then go for it. Good luck

Damn, too late for this attempt, but this will be my plan for the next if this fails. Thanks!

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

A set of small hemostats could help. You need a good mechanical bond to the joint anyway, solder is a poor conductor.

Yes sir, I'm using the alligator clips on the helping hand right now and they are just aggravating me, letting it roll once it turns liquid.

Originally Posted by ram_tough

Hemo-Who

Obviously not a hi-getter in his younger days.

[ol' gravy leg]

Like AreCee said, only solder one wire to the terminal. Like this.

Originally Posted by shelljeep

Mamba Micro Pros, so no exposed battery posts.
What temp do you guys recommend for 16 gage wire? I'm using 300*C and it seems to be pretty good, do I have room to come down some more?

As hot as you can get it. Just don't apply heat for too long.

[T3rry]

when i do dual escs i put the bec wires on one of the posts on one of the escs, it's easier and allows you to shorten the bec wires because you'll probably put the bec right next to the esc anyways, also it allows the little bec wires avoid the abuse caused by connecting and disconnecting the battery all the time.

[shelljeep]

Got it done. Staggering them slightly made all the difference in the world.
This closeup makes it look pretty nasty but it's not that bad I think. I didn't have to add any solder, just used what was tinned on the wires.
Thanks for all the help!

[ram_tough]

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemostat

Ohhhh,, thanks for link

Originally Posted by shelljeep

Obviously not a hi-getter in his younger days.

I'd give ya one of these , but I got burned . I use my helping hand soldering set w/alligators for just about everything thats not already secure. Maybe try holding the wires together with the hemostat or similar and then solder main edge to the deans. Could solve the slipping and twisting problem you described.

EDIT: Damn Im slow, Looks good

[shelljeep]

Thanks man.
Now John's got me rethinking everything due to his mechanical connection comment. I may need to rethink my method for the builds after this.

[bob1961]

my method of doing what you need done is this....take any wire core bread wrapper and strip off the paper/plastic coating to give yourself a fine wire wrap....get your wires as you would like them soldered together but leave one 1/4" longer....that one will be soldered to the deans tab and twist the bread wrapper tightly around them to hold them in place and solder away .......bob

....

[JeremyH]

Damn Shell.....is that 12G wire? Use 16 or 18!

[TC09mini]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

Damn Shell.....is that 12G wire? Use 16 or 18!

I just used some 20g last night. Super easy to Solder!

[shelljeep]

It's 16 gage, that's what comes stock on the Micro Pros.
Yeah TC, servo wire is easy too.