Electrical plugs to disconnect wiring

What size are the wires? What amount of current (amperage) are you using in the wires? If we know these answers, we can help. Here are some examples:

Accessory feeds? automotive trailer connectors.

Signal controls? Modular telephone/data jacks and plugs.

Traction power? 15-amp NEMA twist plugs and recepticals.

As to where to buy them, all of the above are readily available in most home-improvement stores or on-line.

trailer connectors

Aruther,

Sorry I should have included that info. I am talking about wiring for switch machine and power to sidings. I have removable wood panels on one area of my layout that is "hiding" staging tracks. On the outside of these panels are push buttons for switches,sidings,uncoupling tracks. If memory serves me I believe the wire is #18 AWG. Everytime I need to get into the staging tracks the wiring and panels are a pain. I would like to be able to "disconnect" the wiring and set the panel[s} aside. I stopped at Radio Shack yeterday before work and found a 4 wire plug used in a PC which would work. I was looking for something with mulitple connections say 6-8 or even more wires per plug. Thanks for responding, Jeff

The absolute best no holds barred connectors are the Anderson Power Poles. Usually found in any Ham Radio Outlet. I use the 15/30/45 amp series which handle 10 thru 22 ga wire.

They can be used individually or stacked side by side/top to bottom or both.

The connectors are genderless.

Available in 8 colors.

Also, premade lengths available.

Get the terminal crimper, makes for perfect connections.

Many online shops. the best I have found is at www.powerwerx.com tt

Here are some high end connectors that are permanent, quick, and really nice when made up.
CPC Connectors

You could also go with Molex connectors, they're a lot less expensive and widely used in industry. I can't see you need something as expensive as the previous suggestions. You can get multi-contact shells for a couple of dollars and contacts are around 10 cents. The Molex connectors of the line used on the PowerHouse 180 and TPC are good for at least 10 amps if not more.

quote:

Originally posted by Arthur P. Bloom:
What size are the wires? What amount of current (amperage) are you using in the wires? If we know these answers, we can help. Here are some examples:

Accessory feeds? automotive trailer connectors.

Signal controls? Modular telephone/data jacks and plugs.

Traction power? 15-amp NEMA twist plugs and recepticals.

As to where to buy them, all of the above are readily available in most home-improvement stores or on-line.

trailer connectors

Going back to Art's post about trailer connectors heres a six pole that will handle the load you were going to use it for.

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/37995.html

David

Two Anderson Power Pole ends to make one 15 amp wire connection are $1.06.

So the total price for both ends of a four wire connection would set you back $4.24 for industrial grade dependability.

I have always had good luck with .093" Molex connectors.
They are rated at 14 amps, wire sizes #14 and lighter, and available up to 15 circuits in a 3 x 5 style plug and connector.
Molex has a website, and Mouser stocks them.

For low power cicuiits you could use the old DB-9 style plugs and sockets. These were used as computer serial port plugs until USB came into vogue.
They handle light gauge wires such as #22 and lighter. You can use them nicely with cat 5 network style cable, 4 pairs.

Rod

Any special tools needed for these connectors.
I know our group spent $160 for a crimping tool for molex connnectors.

The Anderson Power poles do take a special crimping tool. IIRC, it's between $50 and 60. Not bad if you are in a club and can spread the cost around.

Chris
LVHR

There is a special crimper that you can get for Molex pins, but as I recall I got a generic one at the local electronics jobber at about half the price. Does a great job.
There is also a tool for removing the pins from the plastic sockets, but I found a short length of 1/8" diameter brass tubing works just as well.

Rod

I use a generic crimp tool for the Molex, and I happen to have the removal tool left over from my commercial days.

$13.99

The Anderson Powerpole crimper for 15 and 30 amp circuits is $13.99.

The stock number SKU is CT-2 @ $13.99

For 45 amp wire ends the crimper is SKU: TRIcrimp $39.99 retail. It also does 15 & 30 amp ends. Hence the name "TRI"crimp.

This is one of the finest tools you will own. Very precise, makes for quick repeatable wire end installation.

Neither of these two two tools is $50 - $60.

The 15 & 30 amp ends can be carefully hand crimped with pliers but for $13.99 why even bother?

Pick them up at your local Ham Radio store.

This one works well...as has been mentioned here.

http://www.powerwerx.com/crimp...erpole-contacts.html

All of the suggestions above are good.

Personally I'm a fan of the Molex. I have a set of .093 Molex in place on my large layout for over ten years now with no issues. They carry my track power, accessory/light power, accessory activation, switch activation, etc....

I use them at my control panel so that I can easily disconnect the control panel from the layout when I want to do work, or just put the controls away.

You can get the Molex in various configuartions. Most of mine are square 9 position plugs.

I did just recently find some of the 3 position "house" looking plugs that match the Lionel Powerhouse transformer plugs.


I am currently wiring up my "crashpad" layout, and using Molex on it as when not running I need to put the control away for space considerations.


That all said, I never thought of, and relaly like the trailer connectors posted above. Already wired...save me a step

Trailer connectors work for me!