Banana plugs for PW ZW ?

Put spade lugs or ring terminals on the ends of your wires.

If you do, you can also put lock washers on the terminal posts (under the thumb nuts)

CW,

I have started doing that and it is a vast improvement.  So far I have not had any of the spade clip connections work loose.  But I really like the banana plugs for easy on/off connections.  I have broken 2 of the binding posts over the years trying to get them tight enough (they break free of the back plane). Undoubtedly I applied too much force tightening them.  So I was hoping there was some kind of adapter or plug that would work.

It makes me wonder now what method the new ZW's use and assuming they are banana type connections and replacement parts are available can they be retrofitted Into the PW ZW.    Probably not work the effort since the spade clips hold well enough.

Thanks,

Ed

An internal tooth lock washer will hold the spade lugs or wires securely. Nice and simple. (photo attached)

I have not found a banana plug that is short enough to fit completely inside. the external part of the connector extends out too far.

Ed,

The new ZWs (ZW-C, ZW-L) all use the standard thumb screws just like the PW ZW.  I use 14 Gauge wire from the ZWs to barrier strips.  All my connections for track and accessories are done at the barrier strips.  With just one wire coming off the thumb screws on the ZW, they always hold tight.

found these on RadioShack.com

http://www.radioshack.com/prod...sp?productId=2102840#

you could use them to replace the posts on your ZW and have banana jack

access........

found these on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Vktech-Terminal-Binding-Amplifier-Banana/dp/B00D6AICR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399376596&sr=8-1&keywords=banana+jack

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Zone-Banana-Plug-Jack/dp/B00EO8ZOZ0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1399376688&sr=8-10&keywords=banana+jack

http://www.amazon.com/Gino-Female-Banana-Binding-Terminals/dp/B00BM1HXD8/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1399376688&sr=8-17&keywords=banana+jack

same deal, you could retro fit these to your PW, ZW,

I have the new ZWL......While I love the "retro" look, banana plugs would have been a nice upgrade!

Peter

quote:

 But I really like the banana plugs for easy on/off connections.  I have broken 2 of the binding posts over the years trying to get them tight enough (they break free of the back plane). Undoubtedly I applied too much force tightening them.  So I was hoping there was some kind of adapter or plug that would work.

I only tighten the thumb nuts enough to make the split lock washer go flat. As others have posted, I usually only have one wire on any given post. The common wire goes to a barrier strip with all the posts interconnected. The hot wire(s) go to the first control switch, and they are daisy chained (I use block control).

I believe it was Colber who made a terminal plate that went over the Lionel transformer terminal plate to convert the connections to large fahnestock clips.

Plates were made for a number of different transformers. I've seen them, never tried one.

This style should work. They are similar to what MTH uses with the heavier insulators. You can find them with thinner insulators and and without the binding posts but in any case you want the threaded portion to be metal not plastic. I find the 5 way binding posts to have the most flexibility. 

Pete

I am pretty sure someone has posted pictures here on the forum of older ZW's that they have modified with banana jacks. Just can't remember who it was. Might try a search for ZW and banana or something like that. 

I also think Lionel should take a tip from MTH and start using the banana jacks/plugs, they really are much handier and more flexible. Would be a neat addition to their transformers and other power devices.

I found two threads that reference these plugs on ZW transformers here and here.  It seems that Pine Creek Railroad, a forum name, has done this.  You may be able to contact him and get further information.

If you replace the thumb nut with two thin hex nuts, you can tighten them against each other without the risk of breaking the binding post loose inside the case. 

Folks,

Thanks for all the great tips. Lots of options to think about and I appreciate the input.

There was one post in particular that surprised me.  It was the one telling me that the new ZW's do not use banana stype connectors.  I wonder if that was strickly for nostalgia purposes to keep it looking like the old ones or was there some other reason.

Thanks again,

Ed