Bullet connectors with transformer (CW80)

Duece, looks like not a lot of support(read opinion) for your idea here.  I guess it’s your call. As long as the connections are tight, are secure, and fit(crimp) the wire diameter properly, I can’t think of a reason off the top of my limited head.  The experienced guys need to weigh in here.

I did it a little differently - I used terminal connectors behind the transformer nuts tightened securely to a lead with a male end bullet. I made a set of terminal track leads soldered to the track with the female bullet connectors.

This enabled me to plug and play and not have to leave the transformer out. This was a living room Christmas layout.

I was also able to utilize this setup to put an analog ammeter inline to check the current and then then take it out when my testing was finished.

The bullet in the screw terminal of the transformer, meh, not so much.  I don't like banana plugs. This is less effective than a banana plug.

There's my 2¢

Thanks guys. The manual doesn't mention it, but it's a good fit, so I thought perhaps there was some intent behind that "design feature". I slipped TVS's onto all of my transformers and lock'on's last night (will connect a few underneath stretches of FasTrack over the upcoming days), and I'll probably see if the CW40 and CW80 are in phase today and link up the common's and thought, instead of cramming another connector in there, would I be able to use a bullet connector?  

That was my line of thought at any rate. Wonder if there is a better way to make all three connections without craming them all on the transformer posts.

Use a barrier terminal block. The black US or the clearish translucent plastic eurostyle terminal block will work. You can jumper the screws together to make multiple hots or commons.

The Euro style is actually made for ferrules to be crimped onto the wire ends.

Anyway, one wire from transformer to the block - multiple out from the block.

You can get three forked terminals behind the nut, but it is crowded and tough to tighten securely. Nothing wrong with a bullet or banana in combo with a couple of forked terminals.

You can skin this cat many ways. Best practices for safety and getting it done with what you have on hand can sometimes get a little distant. Just ensure that the connections are tight and not easily loosened.

As an aside, who likes the close tolerance of the connections on the back of these xfrmrs. Could they have made them any closer?  Fingers barely fit back there to tighten them up.  Many times I have cussed these screw terminals when connecting wires...    Design feature to keep from cranking them too tight??

Moonman posted:

 

You can skin this cat many ways. Best practices for safety and getting it done with what you have on hand can sometimes get a little distant. Just ensure that the connections are tight and not easily loosened.

Carl, as Mike Rowe would say "Safety Third". In all seriousness, I'd rather it be done right and have piece of mind, than do it half-assed and pay for it down the line. If that means buying parts, and taking some time to do a bit of self-education, well ... what needs to be done needs to be done. 

Here is  a question ... if I used a terminal block, would you leave the TVS's connected directly to the transformer posts and then run another wire to the block, or would you connect it on the block itself between two sections designated for hot and common?

TedW posted:

As an aside, who likes the close tolerance of the connections on the back of these xfrmrs. Could they have made them any closer?  Fingers barely fit back there to tighten them up.  Many times I have cussed these screw terminals when connecting wires...    Design feature to keep from cranking them too tight??

They are most likely designed to work with these. So the spacing is set for this standard connector.

Ted, I use banana plug adapters from the transformer to Carl’s suggested terminal strip and run wires from there. I also have them on a KW. 

MartyE posted:

TedW posted:

As an aside, who likes the close tolerance of the connections on the back of these xfrmrs. Could they have made them any closer?  Fingers barely fit back there to tighten them up.  Many times I have cussed these screw terminals when connecting wires...    Design feature to keep from cranking them too tight??

They are most likely designed to work with these. So the spacing is set for this standard connector.

The spacing of an output is correct for those connectors, but the two outputs, A and B, are to close for one of those...not that you would want to use the connector that way. The issue is that the two output pairs, A-U and B-U, are too close for tightening the posts.

Excuse my diagramming skills, but would this be the proper way to wire a terminal block to share a common ground with two in phase transformers?

I think I could cut the number of terminals used from eight to four.

yep.

In theory, ideally you want the ground link as short as possible, but that works.

Ideally you want a tvs as close to the board it protects too, but that works.

"Ideally" is overrated at times  

Adriatic posted:

yep.

In theory, ideally you want the ground link as short as possible, but that works.

Ideally you want a tvs as close to the board it protects too, but that works.

"Ideally" is overrated at times  

Appreciate it. I'll be throwing TVS' onto the FT as well using female disconnects and the tabs under the track. Will alternate with the feeder lines. Short of opening up the trains (something I'm hesitant to do yet) that's as close as I'll get to the boards for now. It'll have to do!

Hesitant? Here is a nudge;

Every loco gear set should be inspected for proper lube before it is run, even brand new. (IMO)

  Most aren't too difficult. Some steam linkage is a pita, re-stuffing wire is a pita too, but diesels (or an E-33 ) should be easy.

Build that cradle

Deuce,

  Although it works I would never use them on my layout, however I do like good Gold Plated Banana Plug and have installed them on my ZW's and KW's.  Upgrade to a better Transformer and then install the Banana Plugs if you so desire them for your layouts.

PCRR/Dave

Don't use the bullet connector - follow the advice here. Get a nice terminal strip and/or banana plug adapters.

Or if you're determined to use the bullet connectors for whatever reason, just plug 'em in, run the trains for a few minutes, and then cautiously touch the terminals - if you feel any heat, that means you are experiencing resistance. A good connection will have no heat. A bad connection will burn your fingers, so be careful!! The temp check is easy and pretty accurate!

Heat is a good point. Don't burn your fingers....or laugh because it does happen to folks

Only you know how tight and secure the fit is.

 Pressure has a great bearing on a good connection. Tighten the terminal nut too; regardless of how you connect to it. 

The longer banana plug would be "ideal" (  

A small bunch just might come in handy in the parts box; e.g. they fit my multimeter so new leads and jumpers are done in seconds. (with the other end equipped with soldered sewing pins & shrink tube , alligator clips, wire hooks, in-line diodes, etc..)

A small "bunch" of bananas  I missed that!

I grabbed terminal blocks today, so the bullet connector idea has been backburnered. Thanks for the tips (especially about checking for heat), and I'll get myself a cradle.

And stop pushing that E33 on me! LOL