How to make an XT90 Loop Key

Arguably, the most reliable way to control power to an ESC [pair] is to use an XT90S loopkey.

It may not be the prettiest or the shiniest or the most foolproof, but it probably will outlast almost any other way if done correctly, and it’s certainly the cheapest. This does have antispark characteristics if you use the “XT90S” instead of the “XT90” variant of the female connector. You definitely don’t want to use the female XT90.

Essentially, you make “a key” that you plug into the skate to turn it on. You pull it out to turn it off. Mount the male side on the skate and use the female side for the key.

finished loopkeys

A female XT90S showing the extra band. There is a 5.6Ω resistor inside, between the two bands on the left side. This functions to precharge the filter capacitors in the few milliseconds only one of the bands is connected while you push the plug in, preventing a mighty spark.

Items needed:

  1. XT90S female connector (best to have more than one)
  2. XT90 male connector (best to have more than one)
  3. MG Chemicals urethane conformal coating in 55ml brush-on bottle
  4. 6mm (0.25") tinned copper braid
  5. Sn60/Pb40 1.0mm solder
  6. soldering iron (I use the Weller WESD51)
  7. nylon string, 1.5mm diameter

This is something I was making for a skate a long time ago and made a wiring mistake, so I remade it instead of fixing this one. I use it to hold plugs while I solder them

What to do:

  1. Plug the female into a male (to hold the pins straight while it’s hot)
  2. cut three pieces of braid, tin the ends, and carefully balance them on the pins of the female
  3. carefully solder them on the pins, being careful not to knock them off
  4. wait until the parts cool before unplugging it

  5. {optional} I like filing it smooth to make it prettier. Don’t take more off than needed.
  6. Put one coat of sealant on it. Wait until dry. Repeat 25 more times until very thick.
  7. tie a loop of string on it so you can use it to remove the key after riding

When you use the loop key, make sure you push the plug in ALL THE WAY every time you use it. If it’s only partially plugged and you ride around on it, you will burn up the resistor inside the key, requiring you to make another one. Also, that’s one of the multiple reasons to mount the male side to the board (making a key from the female side).


or

example with lights/accessories circuit:


this way if there is a battery issue, your lights will turn off – consider this a warning from the BMS to pull over and pull the loopkey as soon as it’s safe to do so! :wink: (but it’s not gonna cut your brakes)

example without lights/accessories circuit:
use the above diagram, but omit the lights

For mounting the male part on your board, see the sister thread

39 Likes
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There are other ways to make this work, but I now prefer the lower-profile versions.​

12 Likes

Linky for the braided copper? I’m currently using 14awg wire on all of my loopkeys.

1 Like

This is good for 41A continuous, similar to 12AWG extra-stranded wire

https://smile.amazon.com/Tinned-Copper-Braid-Bright-Length/dp/B003HGHQYM/ref=sr_1_3

6 Likes

@whaddys you asked the other day about loopkeys. Here ya go dude.

1 Like

Is there a reason to use the braid rather than 12 or 10 AWG? (asking not critiquing)

Might be much simpler to solder

1 Like

Awesome Brian @b264

1 Like

I usually take a piece of solid copper wire with 6mm diameter and bend it like a u.
Then solder it and put the amass isolation thingy without its core on top and fill it up with hotglue.


And yes, it’s dyed with the ritdye stuff :blush:

5 Likes

An other reason to use the female part is that it would prevent you (or anyone else without a brain) to plug it into a battery XT90 connector (which also should be female), with likely nasty consequences.

3 Likes

@b264 we need more of this type of content these kinds of tutorials are whats giving me hope i can build an esk8 and not a bomb.

4 Likes

Nah. One of those keys in the photo is 5 times 14AWG solid copper – but making it sucked far more than making the other ones.


Simple 5 ply maple handle handcarved
With 8awg wire closing the circuit

3 Likes

This was easy as hell compared to the stuff I make for clients XD

awesome, thanks @b264

would this be correct for a 10s2p li-ion and vesc?

1 Like

Yes, that is correct. I usually put it on the negative lead, but either one works.

2 Likes

perfect, thanks!

Isn’t it safer, electrically speaking, to put a safety on the “hot” lead of a wiring rather than on the neutral?

Most BMS are wired with low side switching which means in most esk8 wiring, positive is not the “hot” side. It’s the shared connection between everything. Negative would be the “hot” side

6 Likes

Hot and neutral are concepts based on how the wiring is done. In most automobiles negative is neutral since it’s the common path (usually the frame) for the circuits. Electrons actually flow from negative to positive.

4 Likes