EC5 clamp

[dwelzel]

Is there any type of safety clamp to hold EC5 connectors together? I had one pull apart in flight today. I was looking for something like this for EC5s:

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/radio-c...-clip-3pk.html

[DrSteve]

Wow, never heard of that before.

The only time my EC5s come apart unplanned is when I crash hard! (and that's no bad thing).

[jhamel]

I've never heard of devices to hold EC3 or EC5 connections. I've never heard or this being an issue before either.

All of my EC3's and EC5's still connect tightly after 4 years of use. I wonder if your connections may be under tension during flight? Wires too short?

[Gregor99]

This can happen when you mix-and-match EC5s from different vendors. Sadly they are not all the same size.

The other thing that can happen is that male end can loosen up over time. With birdcage style springs collapse with use. With the slotted shaft style you can gently expand the male section to restore a firm connection.

For either issue, adding a clip to hold them in place doesn't really fix this. If the are not tight enough to stay together on their own, they are not tight enough to meet their current rating. Next failure would be overheating and one end coming unsoldered.

[dwelzel]

I think the problem here was user error. The canopy on my 570 is very tight and suspect in putting it on I tugged on the connectors, pulling them lose and they eventually came apart in flight. They are the same brand and are tight. I didn't notice I was tugging on them while putting on the canopy so I was looking for a device to guard against that.

[nabl74]

Originally Posted by dwelzel

I think the problem here was user error. The canopy on my 570 is very tight and suspect in putting it on I tugged on the connectors, pulling them lose and they eventually came apart in flight. They are the same brand and are tight. I didn't notice I was tugging on them while putting on the canopy so I was looking for a device to guard against that.

a suggestion

in the past when I've come across loose ec5 connections ive applied some super glue to both outer portions of the ec5 connectors and let them dry. the thin film of dry glue on the connectors makes the ec5 connectors super tight.

dont plug your ec5 connectors together until the glue is dry!