Hi, I need to connect a LiPo battery which uses the red JST BEC plug to my custom PCB.

I can't find an SMD female connector for that plug. Does anyone know if one exists?

As an alternative I guess I'll have to put something like a JST PH connector on my board, and then a JST PH female-to-JST BEC male wire for connecting them together, although I was hoping to avoid too much cabling and connectors.

 

Any .025" sq pin header will work just fine. (.100"/2.54mm pitch)

 

But I'd like some polarity safety as well. Not just two pins sticking up that can easily be reversed.

 

But I'd like some polarity safety as well. Not just two pins sticking up that can easily be reversed.

Then you must use wires or other method.. BEC is only a wire-wire product.
You can solder the wires of the mating plug directly to the PCB.. vs having an intermediate connector.

 

That is what I did in my previous design. The wires that were soldered directly to the PCB broke loose after a little while, so this time I'm thinking I need a more durable solution.

I might go for an intermediate connector, like 1.5mm Pico-Spox or 2mm JST PH.