My Soldering Experiment on the XT60 Connector

When it comes to building and customizing electronic devices, connectors play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable and efficient connection. In this article, we'll take a closer look at my experiment with using various wire gauges with an XT60 connector.

To begin with, let's take a look at some of the popular cables that come with different connectors. The XT90 Series Cable features 10AWG wire, while the XT90 Parallel Cable also comes with 10AWG wire. In contrast, the XT60 Series Cable has 14AWG wire, and the XT60 Parallel Cable boasts 16AWG wire.

One interesting aspect of 10 AWG wire is its ability to handle high-voltage currents over short distances. According to an online calculator, this type of wire can easily manage a continuous current of 90A with minimal loss (1% or less) when used in conjunction with a DC voltage of 22.2V and a cable length of 0.3m.

However, it's important to note that if your system only pulls less than 60A continuous current, you can still use XT60 connectors even for wire gauges as large as 7AWG. For higher currents, such as 150A continuous or 250A peak, you'll want to consider using XT150 connectors instead.

In my experiment, I decided to test the limits of the XT60 connector by attempting to solder it to larger diameter wires. I started with two 12AWG wires that I twisted together to create a wire equivalent to about 7-8 AWG. To my surprise, I was able to solder this larger gauge wire to an XT60 connector without any issues.

This experiment highlights the versatility and reliability of the XT60 connector, which can be used with wires as large as 7 AWG in certain situations. With proper care and attention, even smaller diameter wires like 10 AWG can be easily soldered to an XT60 connector using a hot iron (I recommend a 60W iron for optimal results).

Ultimately, the key takeaway from my experiment is that careful handling and a reliable iron can enable you to use larger wire gauges with the XT60 connector. Whether you're building a custom electronic device or upgrading your existing setup, understanding the capabilities of this popular connector can help you make informed decisions about your wiring and connections.

Xt60 connector gauge