RickM46 posted:

Volphin posted:

John H posted:

If you solder, why use a connector? Having the dimple on the flat side improves contact by tightening it up.

The short answer is the inevitable track maintenance.  .110 connectors are too loosey goosey for my taste.  If you try the brass .080 you will see.    I crimp the feeder into the connector then flow solder into the connection.  (These connectors do not have the plastic base).  You just have to keep the solder away from the female spade end and just where the wire crimps.  Goes on right, holds tight.  NEVER had one loosen up since I changed.  

28-6082 - .080 Female Disconnect. MCM Electronics dot com

 

 

  Hi Volphin, on the above 28-6082, what is the maximum gauge wire that you can crimp into the connector?

Thanks!

I have only used 14, 16 and 18 Ga on this connector for feeders and buss applications.  Seems to me it could go a little larger, but I haven't tried other gauges.  It's not like you need battery cable for model trains anyway...    My nominal buss size is 16 Ga w/ 18 Ga feeders on my 250 ft Fastrack layout.  I do not use shrink tube on them... no need.  

I use them for accessory power buss feeders as well, and those little wires are tiny!  Right now they are soldered into my GGD coaling tower, Broadway Ltd. water tower, Lionel hobo water tower, Lionel hobo hotel, and a PE hero boy's house.  

Hope this helps.  

Thanks a bunch Volphin!!  I am about to order a bunch of these connectors from MCM; but, just to verify, will the female end of the connector fit the Fastrack spade terminal on the underside of the Fastrack??

Don't forget your fellow Navy man here, Volphin!

RickM46 posted:

Thanks a bunch Volphin!!  I am about to order a bunch of these connectors from MCM; but, just to verify, will the female end of the connector fit the Fastrack spade terminal on the underside of the Fastrack??

Yes.  That is all I use on my Fastrack. There are two crimp points.  One is for the bare wire (closest to the female, and the one on the end holds the wire with insulated jacket.  Crimp the bare wire onto the connector, then the rest of it into the other.  I just use needle nose pliers for the crimps.  Next, hold the connector with the needle nose pliers on the top of your soldering iron tip right below the bare wire connection at a 45 degree angle.  It won't take long to heat up.  Touch the solder to it, being careful not to let it flow into the female connector where the spade goes.  (Hence the 45 degree angle).  Slip it over your fastrack spades and enjoy!  

I use the automotive zip wire from MCM as well. It is red and black, and a darn good price.  Search for product 24-1880 (16 AWG, 250 ft.) and 24-1870 (18 AWG, 100ft).  It also comes in 14 AWG.

Griff Murphey posted:

Don't forget your fellow Navy man here, Volphin!

No problems doc.  I'll make it this weekend.  

Thanks for the info Volphin!!  Ordered a bunch from MCM.

Can you guys post a link to MCM or the actual .com address?   I tried to go there and it comes up either asking me if I want a hotel or telling me its going to log me out lol

Semper Fi, Semper Float, Semper Fill - as we USN/USMC dentists say!

Volphin,

   I just order some of the 28-6082 Female Brass slip on connectors, thanks for pointing them out in the thread.  Put the company in my favorite's section also.  100 for less than $7.00 is great.  I still have lots to build in the new train room, and this should cover all my FT drop needs

Thanks,

PCRR/Dave

carsntrains posted:

Can you guys post a link to MCM or the actual .com address?   I tried to go there and it comes up either asking me if I want a hotel or telling me its going to log me out lol

They are at www.newark.com.

Here is where that exact .080 female spade connector is:

http://www.newark.com/mcm/28-6...lement14_US%2Fsearch

 I just ordered 3 packs of 100 each from their website; had a bit of an effort on their website to enter a different billing and shipping address; they are located in Illinois and do respond quickly to their customer service phone number; very helpful agents. They are located in Chicago.

carsntrains posted:

Can you guys post a link to MCM or the actual .com address?   I tried to go there and it comes up either asking me if I want a hotel or telling me its going to log me out lol

http://www.newark.com/mcm/28-6...lement14_US%2Fsearch

http://www.newark.com/mcm-part...cm-redirect-catchall

This is from his post link.

Sorry guys!  I didn't notice they have merged with another company.  As you can imagine, a couple hundred connectors can last quite a while!  LOL

The product numbers do come up on the search function though.    

Griff Murphey posted:

Semper Fi, Semper Float, Semper Fill - as we USN/USMC dentists say!

All I ever got was "Thanks for the ride."  Sloggers.  lol

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Volphin,

   I just order some of the 28-6082 Female Brass slip on connectors, thanks for pointing them out in the thread.  Put the company in my favorite's section also.  100 for less than $7.00 is great.  I still have lots to build in the new train room, and this should cover all my FT drop needs

Thanks,

PCRR/Dave

 

You're welcome Dave.  Post up some images when you can.  I love seeing all the cool layout work!

Griff - I saw your pic and thought it was my track!! I had the same thing happen a few years ago!!

I click on those links and it says "for your security you will be logged out"     and "you will be logged out in 30 seconds"    

carsntrains posted:

I click on those links and it says "for your security you will be logged out"     and "you will be logged out in 30 seconds"    

Did you try this link:

www.newark.com

I am using Windows 8.1 and Firefox and have no issues; what are you using?

Rick’s link just worked on this iPad. 

I got it to work on another server.  thank!

Jim

I started buying from MCM Electronics years ago because that is where we bought small electronic parts and supplies from at work.  We used Newark for larger items.  Now I am a retiree-engineering contractor at work, so I don't order there, but do for home.  I don't know how long ago it was that Newark took over MCM, but I have received the same quick service as before for home and layout items.

   If you have trouble finding them local, but can't wait for shipping, try a car radio shop. They should carry the smaller connectors for speakers.

Wire to handle more than your transformers max output, and fuse at slightly less. Breakers are more to protect the transformer, they are not really meant to protect the track though they do in a way.

Wire gauge needed is also based on wire length. Longer must be thicker at the same volt/amps. 

I go with 12g and never worry much if something it feeds goes "poof".

VOLPHIN,

   Roger that, as soon a my new battery charger for my camera comes I will take some more pictures of the train room.  Just set up the 305 Hell Gate Bridge in the middle of the Donovans Reef Bar layout, seriously cool stuff.  Lee Mavin & John Wayne would love it.

PCRR/Dave

Building Continues on the Donovans Reef Bar Top Layout!

Fried - Why?!?

I prefer mine baked, with a side of Scrapple. 

Griff Murphey posted:

Don't forget your fellow Navy man here, Volphin!

Hey Doc, do you want some U connectors on the other end of these?  

The Z400 has screw on caps and posts which will work great with "U's" or a straight wire; the posts have a nice hole. I have in the past twisted the stripped ends up real tight and flowed on solder to make the wires easier to insert.

Ok, I'll pop some on for you.  

Big thanks!

You're not alone. I used the factory-supplied wires for my first Fastrack Christmas layout powered by a PW ZW. Simple derailment fried the connector, and my snow-white felt turned charcoal black around it.  No problems since switching to heavier gauge wire. 

I ordered these from Newark

28-6082 - 

NON-INSULATED SOLDERLESS CONNECTORS, .08 FEMALE DISCONNECT, FEATURES: FOR CLEAN CUSTOM CONNECTIONS, QUANTITY: 100 PER PACKAGE at $6.49 each

I ordered Quantity 2. I think that means two packages...if it meant 2 terminals, then the cost would be around $1300 for 200.

They only sent two terminals for my $12.98 plus shipping plus tax. I emailed customer service, no answer yet. Anyone else order this and actually get 100 terminal packages?

Are you kidding me?  LOL. Someone messed up big time!  Call em up.

Unit of measure is a pervasive problem for all parts centers. I ran into that with a west coast distributor the other day, same type of thing, got 1 piece, expected 10 because the ebay description began with 10X. They made it right because that 100% favorable rating on ebay is a highly sought after prize, and few are willing to risk a bad write-up. I don't think you'll have any trouble from Newark, especially if you call instead of writing - seems to get better results. If not, send your story to the Guiness Book of World Records for the most expensive connectors ever purchased! 

I ordered a pack of Bohaim ??  connectors that fit the track perfectly.  6.99 per 100 on Amazon. 

Jim 

CJack,

  I just received my 28-6082 order, that Volphin advised me to purchase, got all 100 Pcs for $6.49 double bagged nicely.  Got to admit they are very nice Brass slip on connectors.

You multi millionaire guys must pay special rates for these Brass connectors!

PCRR/Dave

I just received my 28-6082 order from Newark.com, 3 plastic bag packs of 100 each, brass, and shipped in a bubble wrap envelope.  Going to look around for a plastic case to store them in.  Will do some soldering tomorrow per Volphin's instructions.  Happy Camper.

   Though not for near ten years, I used Newark Electronics for a long time before that, I predict they make it right. That has happened to me plenty of times when ordering connecters in bulk packages.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

CJack,

  I just received my 28-6082 order, that Volphin advised me to purchase, got all 100 Pcs for $6.49 double bagged nicely.  Got to admit they are very nice Brass slip on connectors.

You multi millionaire guys must pay special rates for these Brass connectors!

PCRR/Dave

Better check your plastic bags, Chuck - they MAY be missing two connectors! 

GeoPeg posted:

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

CJack,

  I just received my 28-6082 order, that Volphin advised me to purchase, got all 100 Pcs for $6.49 double bagged nicely.  Got to admit they are very nice Brass slip on connectors.

You multi millionaire guys must pay special rates for these Brass connectors!

PCRR/Dave

Better check your plastic bags, Chuck - they MAY be missing two connectors! 

Right...where did they get the two terminals?

Griff Murphey posted:

Big thanks!

Griff, you have a friendly on an intercept bearing E-NE.  ETA Friday-Monday with current course and speed.  

Just fried a portion of my carpet with this ****ed terminal piece. Good thing I was around. I’m guessing it could only happen with juice to the track and not just leaving the transformer plugged in but not on.

I think it’s a matter of too light gauge of a connector wire. My first experience with this event was in fact with soldered wire connectors.

I treasure the hookups and a jumper that Volphin made for me.