Fastrack voltage fix

What works best is a mini end line cutting tool. Wrap it over the joints and crimp with a slight pressure. I have been doing this for over a year now when we set up public layouts and our voltage issues have disappeared for the most part. If not then check the center pin since we have seen a few now break due to zinc pest causing failures.

I use similar on tubular track. Careful selection will allow you to blunt the blades so it's less likely to do any damage. 

(the issue would be how far the tool can close. Some can't be blunted without wrecking the ability to close the jaws 100%. The stop is in the handles.

I pine for a pair of specific pliers for this.  In fact I was thinking of soldiering all my track ends.  Not together but the pins to the rails they are encapsulated in.  This little area of discontinuity between track segments is by far my biggest gripe with fastrack, save the price. 

I've also considered prewiring all my track with something like "banana plugs" to the underside of each track segment so that I basically have a connection on everything.

Or I've also considered some kind of conductive tape or other similar ideas for application to the "top side" of the track to solve the problem...

I've also tried these two things and they are no guarantee of better connections really:   paper binder clips and zip ties.

Severn posted:

I pine for a pair of specific pliers for this.  In fact I was thinking of soldiering all my track ends.  Not together but the pins to the rails they are encapsulated in.  This little area of discontinuity between track segments is by far my biggest gripe with fastrack, save the price. 

I've also considered prewiring all my track with something like "banana plugs" to the underside of each track segment so that I basically have a connection on everything.

Or I've also considered some kind of conductive tape or other similar ideas for application to the "top side" of the track to solve the problem...

I've also tried these two things and they are no guarantee of better connections really:   paper binder clips and zip ties.

 

You can always paint just a little bit of conductive grease on each of the spades and wipe up the excess once assembled.

Volphin posted:

Severn posted:

I pine for a pair of specific pliers for this.  In fact I was thinking of soldiering all my track ends.  Not together but the pins to the rails they are encapsulated in.  This little area of discontinuity between track segments is by far my biggest gripe with fastrack, save the price. 

I've also considered prewiring all my track with something like "banana plugs" to the underside of each track segment so that I basically have a connection on everything.

Or I've also considered some kind of conductive tape or other similar ideas for application to the "top side" of the track to solve the problem...

I've also tried these two things and they are no guarantee of better connections really:   paper binder clips and zip ties.

 

You can always paint just a little bit of conductive grease on each of the spades and wipe up the excess once assembled.

Do the big box hrdwre stores have this? Brand name?  I need some of this for another fix outside the hobby.

Captaincog's solution is what I have been doing for a long time (027 track) and works well. I suggest giving it a try.

https://www.mgchemicals.com/pr.../conductive-greases/

not a bad idea, but perhaps messy.

Also tape like this maybe --https://www.adafruit.com/product/1128

i also thought about this -- u type metal spring nut solution.   two of these with a wire affixed to each such that it runs down the side of the rail when spring nuts are slid onto rail,  over center rail at track connection some inches apart depending on wire length.   For center rail since it's a springy connection to the model .  hoping the two outer rails provide enough ground, although my idea might work there, it'd be a bump at the wheels.

https://www.zoro.com/value-bra...38332003/i/G3081477/

maybe only good for debugging.

TedW posted:

Do the big box hrdwre stores have this? Brand name?  I need some of this for another fix outside the hobby.

Copper Coat commonly used as an anti-seize for threaded conduit connections. Maybe in the big box store with electrical conduit. Or at your local electrical supply house. NAPA also may carry it.

It reduces corrosion and is conductive. I use a dab on the track pins.

TedW posted:

Volphin posted:

Severn posted:

I pine for a pair of specific pliers for this.  In fact I was thinking of soldiering all my track ends.  Not together but the pins to the rails they are encapsulated in.  This little area of discontinuity between track segments is by far my biggest gripe with fastrack, save the price. 

I've also considered prewiring all my track with something like "banana plugs" to the underside of each track segment so that I basically have a connection on everything.

Or I've also considered some kind of conductive tape or other similar ideas for application to the "top side" of the track to solve the problem...

I've also tried these two things and they are no guarantee of better connections really:   paper binder clips and zip ties.

 

You can always paint just a little bit of conductive grease on each of the spades and wipe up the excess once assembled.

Do the big box hrdwre stores have this? Brand name?  I need some of this for another fix outside the hobby.

I think I got my tube at Amazon.  I'll check the brand when I get off work.  It will stain the heck out of your clothes so be careful.  It has a high carbon content.