banana plugs and MTH Z4000

I use the double banana plugs on the Z4000 and the TIU.  They are stackable so I can plug the ground from the Legacy base into the output of the TIU.  They make for really easy maintenance and positive connections.

Even the cheapest ones are rated at 15 amps, so I'm not sure I understand the current capacity issue.  They work great for me.

I use these. I have two Z4000 and gold plated plugs work well.

I have used standard double banana plugs about all of my life. I have never had one fail. I was told they could fail from arcing but I have never seen it. I do make sure they are snug in their holders.

 I believe they can handle current so well because of the amount of contact?

if you ever need heavy duty ones, Bridgeworks sells some.

Banana plugs are a great way to go; kudos to MTH for using them wherever makes sense. They are secure and make a neat wiring project. Plus they make it fast and easy to change out a component such as a TIU if necessary.

Rod

Danr posted:

I use the double banana plugs on the Z4000 and the TIU.  They are stackable so I can plug the ground from the Legacy base into the output of the TIU.  They make for really easy maintenance and positive connections.

Even the cheapest ones are rated at 15 amps, so I'm not sure I understand the current capacity issue.  They work great for me.

I use the same. Another plus is that they can handle large gauge wire

Boy, now's a bad time to say the banana plugs have current carrying problems.  I've been using them since '72 on heavy current DC power connections, 10-15 amps with no problems.  If you calculate the actual total contact surface of the banana plug once it's inside the receptacle (at least on American made, can't say for Chinese) I think you will breath easier. 

DMASSO posted:

I use these. I have two Z4000 and gold plated plugs work well.

Same ones I use, once in a while Monoprice puts them on sale.

I have used the MTH brand banana plugs on my Z-1000 and had 2 banana plugs heat up on me almost to the point where I can't touch them because of being hot and this is only after 12 to 15 minutes of use. Seems that the MTH wires are a bit small for the job.

I prefer to use either 14 or 12 AWG wire from the output of the Z-1000 & TIU base to the track.

Lee Fritz

I too use the gold plated with 10 or 12 gauge wire.  The MTH angel hair wires spook me.  Same goes for the Aristo/Crest "G" stuff.  As mentioned above, easy to change out units.

Early on I read instruction not to use the banana plugs with the MTH equipment but have not had a problem for at least 15 years???

I guess I should correct my statement. I don't like the MTH ones that are single and molded to the wire. They don't seem very snug fitting to me. If they are loose, then they may heat up and fail.

Überstationmeister posted:

MTH uses "standard" plugs and spacing. I think they are 4 mm.  I do not use them on my Z4000, but do use them on my Z controller. They seem to be generally effective and reliable, but there have been some concerns about the current capacity of the connection voiced on this forum.

We use banana plugs on all transformers and boxes without any problems at all. They don't melt at toy train voltages, or even get warm feeding 14ga mains.

Very easy to switch around for various power configurations .. as needed if ever.

We've used the double ones for years without a problem. The only caveat on those is that you need to keep the grounds consistent when you install the wire (the "bump" is the ground) and you'll be fine. We run 12 Gauge wire from the Z4000's to the TIU's and from the TIU's to the terminal blocks.