Connectors

Discussion in 'Hints & Tips' started by Ron, Jan 29, 2017.

  1. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Picked a couple of these up today at my local model shop. Not seen them before but they look really handy!!:tophat:

    [​IMG]
     
  2. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Ron

    I make them out of offcuts of rail or thick wire bent double (stripped from 2.5mm twin and earth), that way you can make them any size you wish.

    Paul
     
  3. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    At our Down Under electronics supply co Jaycar they have had these for a few years come as a 12 pin strip and I cut down as nessasary
    I use these regularly and find them very useful.
    The thing I have found them most useful for is power connection from controller to layout DC or DCC and with the work shop throttle etc I have interchangeable plug in harnesses with test wires track connections, Circuit breaker etc
    Also good for control panels so you can disconnect to work on it away from the layout on the bench then plug pack in when finished need extra wires just add another connector as required.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  4. Colin_W

    Colin_W Full Member

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    I use these for hooking up the control boxes to layouts (depending on the number of connections needed). Some of the guys are a little heavy on the wiring and these are solid. Screw the female side to the layout and they can't go in the wrong way. I also tend to err on the side of the Victorian Building standards and use 32/02 or 16/02 wire and lacing and looming, not cable ties for those cables but that's just me :whatever:. For my own stuff and being a Yorkshire man I make my own connectors or maybe buy some cheap Male to Female 25 pin serial cables cut them in half and terminate the free ends into your favorite method. you do of course have to meter the pins to get the colours right.What do you use?
    In the picture you can see some home made connectors and on the one marked K3 this is a flying lead and is laced into a loom.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  5. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Yes Colin,

    I have used serial cable 25 pin connectors. I pinched the idea from Gary`s mate Murray.

    Good stuff!!!

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  6. Colin_W

    Colin_W Full Member

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    Saves a lot of soldering Gormo :cool:
    Col
     
  7. Dave C

    Dave C Full Member

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    I used Wago connectors on Setforth Junction - see attached image.

    They come in 2's, 3's and 5's although the 3's were less expensive than the 2's last time I bought any. Saves having to use a screwdriver or deal with soldered joints. You can get at least 2 possibly 3 wires into each entry, but that does defeat the object of ease of disconnection of 1 wire - I link the 5's together with a link wire for common connections. The springs are pretty fierce - no danger of a wire coming loose.

    Dave C

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  8. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Dave

    I've not seen these before, which size have you used, and with what gauge / size of wire ?

    Paul
     
  9. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Found this video about Wago connectors...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2gDUXk0v9w



    ...and they are available on evil bay :

    http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_nkw=wago+connectors&_fromfsb=0&_trksid=m270.l1313&ul_noapp=true

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  10. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Screwfix sell them in the UK..:)
     
  11. Dave C

    Dave C Full Member

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    Paul. They are single size (bar the number of connections) and they are suitable for Cross-section Stranded 0.08 to 4 p.m. mm², single-core- max 2.5mm². I get mine from Rapid Electronics. Last time I checked they were less expensive than Screwfix.
    If you want to touch and feel one drop me a PM and I'll post one to you.
    Dave C
     
  12. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Cheers Dave

    Thanks for the offer, but even at Screwfix's price I think they are worth a punt.

    I think I will use them for my DCC bus distribution when I start the Gasworks layout.

    Paul
     
  13. 60019Bittern

    60019Bittern Full Member

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    I make up my own with standard chocolate strips and 1mm brass rod. Work ok and fairly cheap.
     
  14. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Bought some of the Wago connectors, they work really well, thanks for the tip!:)
     

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