Electrical 4.5 adapters

Menards sells 4.5 volt adapters in several different sizes (eg max current), and they sell sets of cables and splitters so you can power multiple buildings with one adapter.  Be sure to check the power requirements for each building so you don't overload the adapter.

Menards power adapters

Menard's sells at 4.5 volt, 4.5 amp adapter. It's a plug-in 110 VAC adapter.

https://www.menards.com/main/g...634424936&ipos=6

Also be aware of the fabulous, detailed and inexpensive structures and lighting by Woodland Scenics. They use a completely different power system (16-20 VAC or 24 VDC) but also have expansion connectors to allow multiple products to run off a single power source. I use both Menards and Woodland Scenic products, and maintain separate power sources for each brand.

Thanks for the replies, all good and really appreciate it.   Had recently picked up the Cripple Creek Engine Works at Menards online and received the promo gift 'Daves 1953 garage pickup truck'.   All these are first products bought to see what I can do with them - thus the question on connectors.

As of late Menards now publishes the power requirements of their 4.5V buildings.  Some examples (photo from a recent OGR thread on similar topic):

Menards has chosen to use "mA" (milliAmps) as their parameter or measurement unit of power draw.  The photo above is meant to show the wide range of power requirements between their buildings.  So the idea is to add up the "mA" requirements for your buildings.  The 4.5V power adapter(s) must then exceed the total "mA".

AFAIK, Menards presently offers 3 different adapters, 1000, 2000, and 5000 mA.

The 2000 mA version has 3 output plugs.  So it could power 3 buildings as long as the total mA of those 3 buildings does not add up to more than 2000 mA.  Menards also sells Accessory Kits shown that include "Y" splitters, extension cables, and the like with the "correct" plugs/jacks so that 1 adapter can power multiple buildings.

If you have a building that does not have a published "mA" power requirement, you can estimate the mA for that building using a variety of rules-of-thumb that have been discussed here on OGR.  Search OGR and you'll see many threads on the topic.

With 10 buildings, in all likelihood you might exceed the capability of the largest (5000 mA) adapter Menards sells. You can buy multiple adapters and allocate them accordingly.  Or if willing to outside the Menards family, there are plug-in-the-wall power supplies that deliver the 4.5V DC output voltage with much higher power ratings...like 20,000 mA, 50,000 mA, and so on.  It does involve wiring, splicing/wiring the correct connectors, and so on.  Again, there have been many OGR threads on the topic of using non-Menards 4.5V adapters.

I power all my buildings from the 12VDC output of an old computer power supply. I use these:

10X Re DC-DC 3A Buck Converter Adjustable Step-Down Power Supply Module LM2596S

I get these from eBay and set the proper voltage for the particular building I’m powering.