The EC5 and the XT90 are two of the most popular battery connectors for RC. What makes them different? Primarily, the EC5 is smaller and the XT90 is larger in size. Therefore, the latter can fit larger RC models, while the EC5 is suitable for compact units. Is that the only differentiating factor in the EC5 vs XT90 debate? Let’s find out.
EC5 vs XT90: Side By Side Comparison
Criteria | EC5 | XT90 |
| Dimensions | 9.5×19.6×33.4 mm | 1x1x1 inches |
| Soldering Difficulty | Difficult | Easy |
| Materials | Brass And Fireproof Plastic Insulation | Gold Plated And Nylon Insulation |
| Capable Continuous Amps | 120A | 90A+ |
| Backward Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
EC5 vs XT90: What Makes Them Different?
1. Design
EC5
The EC5 is a size larger than the EC3 connector. It comes with 5mm bullet pins, compared to the 3mm ones you will find in EC3 connectors. The larger connector surface area allows for superior connection quality. They have fireproof plastic housings and brass couplings to maximize protection.
The maximum continuous load capacity of an EC5 is 120 amps, and the maximum burst capacity is 150 amps. EC5 connectors are ideal for 700/800 size RC helicopters or 1/4 scale model airplanes. Additionally, RC car batteries can be used with EC5 connectors. For the best result, the most powerful RC car battery you can use is a 2200mah 3S battery.
The standard length of the EC5 charge lead is 30 cm. As a result, you get more battery installation flexibility with the EC5. How? You will get a sufficient amount of wire to establish direct connections between each motor and the control box. Not to mention, you will have complete design freedom for your RC vehicles and no connection limitations.
XT90
The XT90 connectors are designed for high current (up to 90A) and high-temperature applications, including electric vehicle battery packs, remote-control cars, drones, and other high-current devices. It’s a larger variant of the XT60, which became popular for its simple soldering system.
Like the EC5, the XT90 comes with connection ports for 5mm batteries. It also has a 30cm charge lead similar to the EC5. The soldering connections on the back are not covered. So, you must use heat shrink there. However, you can avoid using heat shrink by buying recent XT90 connectors that do have plastic insulation caps on the back end of the plug.
XT90 connectors can carry 90 amperes of current, but newer iterations can carry more than 90A because of improved design and materials. The gold-plated spring connectors are injection-molded into a nylon housing, resulting in a highly durable structure. This makes it possible to plug and unplug the connector often without risking damage to the terminals.
2. Compatibility
EC5
EC5 connectors are backward compatible. That means it’s possible to connect EC2 and EC3 connectors to it. All you need to do is to use appropriate adapters. But EC5’s compatibility is not only limited to its previous incarnations. You can also connect it to IC and XT series connectors.
XT90
XT90 and EC5 are exactly the same when it comes to compatibility. Want to connect the XT90 with earlier XT connectors? It’s pretty easy to do. Its compatibility also extends to other connector types, like the IC and EC. So, there is nothing to differentiate between these two connectors if you compare their compatibility.
3. RC Compatibility
EC5
The EC5 will fit into most RC units thanks to its compact shape and size. For this reason, it’s the most popular connector for LiPo battery-powered RCs. Apart from recreational RCs, you will also see EC5 connectors in drones. Besides the convenient size, the excellent shielding property of EC5 connectors makes them the most-used power connector in the RC industry.
XT90
The larger size of the XT90 somewhat limits its access to RC units. You will have to consider bulkier RC models like short-course race trucks or dune buggies to get the most out of XT90 connectors. Since the connector is larger than the EC5, it won’t fit into all RC vehicles and aircraft. We recommend using a shrink cover for enhanced shielding.
4. Ease Of Soldering
EC5
Despite all the benefits EC5 brings to the table, you might feel frustrated when you get to the soldering part. The small size that adds to its practicality also makes the connector quite difficult to solder onto the electronics of the RC. Unless you have a nimble pair of hands, you will have a tough time doing this.
Keep a close eye on the plastic covering as you try to connect the points at a 90-degree angle. You need a soldering iron and some fluxed solder to get the job done. Before you start, check for soldering on the outside of the bullet connect. Use a vice to keep the plastic housing in place during the soldering process. The wires should freely hang below.
We wouldn’t recommend doing this if you don’t have any prior soldering experience. This is too tough of a challenge to be your first rodeo! If you don’t pay close attention, you might end up melting the plastic case. Many users have also reported the pins drifting out of alignment during the soldering. It can be a truly bothersome experience.
XT90
When you look up solutions for EC5 soldering troubles, you will see many forum users saying ‘’just get an XT connector.’’ Yes, compared to EC5, soldering the XT90 is a walk in the park. If your RC unit can take on both EC5 and RT90 connectors, you might feel inclined to go for the XT90, only because it’s easier to install.
First of all, you get more surface area to work on. That alone makes your work far easier. Nylon insulation also makes it immune to soldering mishaps. It’s a simple female connector connection that gets the job done. So, we believe any new RC enthusiast can do the soldering by themselves, unlike the EC5 installation.
Final Words
In some cases, the EC5 vs XT90 debate is off-beam. Because of size restrictions, EC5 is the only option in some RC units. But what about when you can use them both? EC5 offers superior shielding and can handle higher amperage. However, the XT90 is far easier to solder onto RC electronics and is compatible with more than 90 amperes, which is a pretty high current.
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