Amass LF series waterproof connectors

[hnaguski]

I've been looking around for proper waterproof connectors to use in place of the XT60 I have on my battery and motor controller and found the LF series from Amass. They seem to be a waterproof version of their LC series connectors. They come in 3 sizes: LFB30, LFB40, and LFB50, at least for the 2-pin (B) versions. Some notable features include:

• IP67 rating
• Crimped wire connection
• Locking connector
• 3 sizes to fit wire from 14AWG to 8AWG
• Rated at 65A with 55°C temperature rise on largest connector with 8AWG (if anything like XT series then they can probably handle much higher current)

As far as I can tell, using the various datasheets as well as Amass' FAQ page (last item on page 2), you're supposed to use hexagonal crimps with "width" (auto translated) from 4mm to 8mm, but I'm not 100% sure what that means. I emailed Amass and a distributor to ask so hopefully I'll hear back from one of them soon. Note that both the LC and LF series use the same pin/sockets.

Has anyone looked into/used these connectors before? I've been looking at some other options but so far these seem like the best option. I found them for sale on a few different aliexpress sellers, as well as on TME. Once I figure out exactly what crimp tool I need I think I'll give them a try.

Pictures of LFB50 for reference:

 

[aroundqube]

I had to use search , cause I wanted to know too . Molex hex crimper $245.00 https://www.tme.com/Document/3e43d099485e0cb6ef330c324ce9e318/2002180700-000.pdf

 

[hnaguski]

I had to use search , cause I wanted to know too . Molex hex crimper $245.00 https://www.tme.com/Document/3e43d099485e0cb6ef330c324ce9e318/2002180700-000.pdf

I'm not sure if those are supposed to be used with ferrules specifically. I've found some hydraulic crimpers that are for wire lugs which seem like the correct tool based on the FAQ page. I'm still waiting on replies to my email though.

https://www.amazon.com/AMZCNC-Operated-Hydraulic-Crimping-Terminal/dp/B0D91B2M7R
Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

 

[BiggKidd]

Solder is always better than a crimp IMO! I have been working on things for 40+ years and never had much of a problem with using whatever I had to make a crimp connection. YMMV But I still say for any high draw item solder is better than a crimped connection or do both, which I have also done many times.

 

[hnaguski]

I heard back from TME and they said:

The product team stated:
There are no dedicated tools for the AMASS manufacturer. Most customers use tools to crimp pipe joints. (ring tube terminal)

So it seems like those wire lug crimpers I mentioned previously would work, or basically anything designed to crimp this type of connector:


I'm gonna go ahead and order a tool and some LFB40s (from aliexpress, TME doesn't seem to carry the LFB40) and see how it goes.

 

[hnaguski]

Solder is always better than a crimp IMO! I have been working on things for 40+ years and never had much of a problem with using whatever I had to make a crimp connection. YMMV But I still say for any high draw item solder is better than a crimped connection or do both, which I have also done many times.

I don't think saying one is always better than the other is fair. Crimped and soldered connections absolutely both have their place. In high vibration environments the concensus seems to be that properly crimped connections are more tolerant to vibrations than a soldered connection, due to solder fatigue. In high current applications, soldered connections also have a risk of de-soldering themselves if they get too hot, while crimped connections avoid this risk.

Of course this assumes you are comparing a proper solder joint to a proper crimp, and I think it's fair to say that getting a proper crimp requires more specialized (and possibly more expensive) tools than those required for a proper solder joint.

In the ebike world, it certainly seems that soldered connections (XT60 and XT90) are fine, but so are crimp connections (Anderson PowerPole). The LC and LF connectors are designed to be crimped, so I trust that crimping is the best way for these connectors.

 

[E-HP]

So you are using XT60 connectors now, and you want to swap them out. Just how much are you willing to spend beyond to cost of a couple of connectors in order to do the swap? It sounds like maybe a lot. On the other hand, I do understand creating a project just to acquire a new tool. I love tools, so even though I may only use some once or twice, I like having them lol.

I'd go with XT150's. You don't solder the conductor "on" to them, you solder them "in" to them, so there's no way the solder connection will fail. In general, I mostly go the solder route, but I'm trying to figure out a way to buy a good crimper, which maybe my backyard solar project could justify, since the really big conductors would require crimping

 

[dominik h]

I have seen desoldering of my XT150 connectors when my 6S RC Brushless controller died after the car hit a tree with 80kph.
When this connection had been crimped the battery and the car would have burnt down.

Nethertheless I would always prefer a crimp over a solder connection.

 

[hnaguski]

So you are using XT60 connectors now, and you want to swap them out. Just how much are you willing to spend beyond to cost of a couple of connectors in order to do the swap? It sounds like maybe a lot. On the other hand, I do understand creating a project just to acquire a new tool. I love tools, so even though I may only use some once or twice, I like having them lol.

This crimp tool on Amazon is ~$50 and gets good reviews, although some of the images do show some excess extrusion on the edges which is a little worrying. Connectors on Aliexpress are ~$3 for a pair plus ~$3.50 shipping. I'll probably get a few pairs so I think in total it would be around $65-$70. Not exactly cheap but I do like tools as well lol.

I'd go with XT150's. You don't solder the conductor "on" to them, you solder them "in" to them, so there's no way the solder connection will fail.

I have looked into XT150s, and they do seem pretty easy to waterproof with some glue lined heatshrink around each connector+dielectric grease on the shroud. I am also just interested in how these new connectors perform, if they are good I think they could be a good option for waterproof connectors.

 

[hnaguski]

I have seen desoldering of my XT150 connectors when my 6S RC Brushless controller died after the car hit a tree with 80kph.
When this connection had been crimped the battery and the car would have burnt down.

Nethertheless I would always prefer a crimp over a solder connection.

I mean if you're relying on desoldering of connectors as a safety feature it'd probably be a good idea to use an inline slow blow fuse.

 

[dominik h]

In RC cars there are normaly no fuses between battery and brushless controller.
In my scooter I have a 150A slow blow fuse after my QS10 fast charge plug and a 50A fuse after my XT90 charge plug and a 375A fuse between the battery and the controller.