JST RCY Connectors: Your Questions Answered

by John Salt 

The JST RCY Connector is very popular in our hobby and in other electronic applications where a small and robust connector is required.

The JST-RCY is bright red making it super easy to identify. They are often called just "JST Connectors" in our hobby, but there are many flavors of JST connectors, the RCY version just happens to be the most popular in the world of RC. You may also see them called "JST-SYP" connectors. 

JST RCY Connectors Bright Red JST RCY Connectors - Hard To Miss!
  • JST-RCY's are rated for 5.0 Amps of continuous load. I have pushed mine up to 10 Amps for short bursts without issue.
  • Voltage rating: Up to 250V (DC or AC).
  • Pin pitch (pin distance center to center): 2.54mm.
  • Operating Temperature Range: -25°C to 85°C

Where are JST RCY Connectors Used

CX3 Proper Way To Hold 250 picsBlade CX3 RC Helicopter With JST RCY Power Connector.

JST-RCY's are often used on smaller RC battery packs (usually under 1500 mAh) for powering small fixed wing park fliers, small cars/buggies and small electric helis & quads copters.

Obviously in powering applications that don't experience sustained current loads much higher than 5 Amps with peak loads not much higher than 10 Amps. 

Receiver LiPo Battery With JST RCY Connector7.4V 2S LiPo Receiver Battery With Robust JST RCY Connector

JST RCY's are also commonly used for powering on board electronics (receiver, servos, gyros, governors, etc.) in larger models with dedicated RX batteries or higher current BEC's.

This is why you'll also see them called "BEC connectors".

I personally love JST RCY connectors. They are easy to plug & unplug. The male side has an internal rib and the female side has an external slot making them impossible to plug in backwards giving good polarity protraction. Lastly, the are inexpensive yet very robust and can handle many connection cycles.

Anecdotally, I've had to replace very few JST RCY's over the years. In fact, they are pretty much the only 5 Amp rated 2 pin connector I currently use anymore both in the hobby and for other electronic projects.

Two JST RCY Connector Options

JST RCY Wired and Crimped Connectors

When looking for and purchasing replacement JST RCY connectors, you'll have two options - ones with wires already installed (tip - look for high flex silicone wiring), and ones with just the plugs and pins that you have to crimp yourself. This is the crimping tool I use for both servo and JST RCY pins. Demonstrated in the video below.

JST RCY Connector & Harness Links

For more helpful RC connector information & soldering tips, please see my RC Battery Connector Page.

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