Hey Guys,
Instead of using hardware store terminal blocks to distribute electricity to separate parts of my track, I am going simply build terminal blocks by using a bolt mounted upright in wood or a block of plastic A power source wire from the transformer will be attached to the bolt by a round terminal wire end, secured tightly between two nuts. The leads off of this that run to the track will be successively stacked on top of this, using a round terminal wire end on each lead, with each lead being separately screwed down by successive nuts. I may put washers on each side of the terminal ends, between the terminal ends and the screw down nuts, to provide better contact.
My question is, there are only two choices for the bolt, washers, and nuts to be used. Regular steel, with the thin plating of zinc that the hardware stores put on them, or regular steel with a galvanized coating, typically for outdoor or treated lumber use.
Which would conduct the electricity better? The thin zinc coating or the galvanization?
I remember years ago, when I had my farm property, that the farm supply stores had grades 1, 2, an 3 nuts and bolts, that appeared to be just uncoated steel. (For bushhogs, tractors and other farm machinery.) But those obviously tend to rust over time. And, they are only stocked in large bolts sizes.
I guess that solid brass bolts, nuts and washers would be better, but I'm not sure where I would find those. I currently live in a fairly small agricultural county, so there is no "electrical supply house" or anything similar around. Just the big box stores.
Thanks for all advice and information.
Mannyrock
