Try Allelectronics.com

They have connectors from one wire to 6 wires.  I forget the amperage but most engines run well on 2 amps or less.

Ed

Seems to me the 2amp pins should be OK.

I just did a 4pin connection for a M1a Mountain. Decoder in the tender. 2 wires from engine for track power, 2 from tender to motor.

Headlight and engine speaker are two separate 2 pin minis, from tender to engine.

@Ed Kelly posted:

Try Allelectronics.com

They have connectors from one wire to 6 wires.  I forget the amperage but most engines run well on 2 amps or less.

Ed

Thanks, Ed. I'll check it out.

@PRR Man posted:

Seems to me the 2amp pins should be OK.

I just did a 4pin connection for a M1a Mountain. Decoder in the tender. 2 wires from engine for track power, 2 from tender to motor.

Headlight and engine speaker are two separate 2 pin minis, from tender to engine.

So, you're using more than one connector with the speaker and headlight added?

Yes. Total of three. The minis are low current. Plus an 8 pin connector rated at 2amps would be too large to fit between the close coupled engine and tender.

Any recommendations on which connectors work best? Brand? Supplier?

Thanks!

@PRR Man posted:

Yes. Total of three. The minis are low current. Plus an 8 pin connector rated at 2amps would be too large to fit between the close coupled engine and tender.

Here is an 9 pin connector rated at 2 amps from SoundTraxx. Only about 16mm wide.

https://soundtraxx.com/accesso...o-tender-wiring-kit/

@HudsonORailRoader posted:

Here is an 9 pin connector rated at 2 amps from SoundTraxx. Only about 16mm wide.

https://soundtraxx.com/accesso...o-tender-wiring-kit/

I like that one, it has a swivel to help with close coupling on curves.

For many years, I have been using Dean's plugs and super flex wire to make my own tethers. The five pin plugs are a bit harder to find than the four pin models. Here is a picture of the four pin model for reference.

6gAAOSw2kpdKFFW" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.com/itm/26439...f:g6gAAOSw2kpdKFFW

Not enough pins for my buiilds Roy, I need at least 7 and sometimes 8 wires.  Also, those are way too big, they're the ones that ERR used to send with their kits, I have a bunch of them in a drawer here.

Generally the amperage rating is for make/break, although not always.    That means if there is power when you make or break the connection it can burn the contacts.  

If this is a newer loco, I doubt it draws more than 2 amps.    My older USH locos are in that ballpark, but the newer stuff is much lower draw.

Finally I have used something like the Micro Mark 86559 product.    This comes in 32 pin strips, and you cut off what  you need.   I got mine from Tony's train exchange and it looks the same as the photo.   I have made a number of 3 pin and 5 pin connectors and used them on the above mentioned USH locos.    You do have to solder to the pins carefully to avoid melting the plastic housing.   I then put shrink tubing on the joints.

These three MTH parts work for most of my tethers.

I use this, or one that I've laid out myself that is matched to 3rd Rail, Weaver, and Williams brass.

I use one of these two tethers.  If I can adapt it to use the straight tether, that's my preferred choice, otherwise I use the 90 degree plug if I can't get enough flexibility with the straight tether.

@prrjim posted:

Generally the amperage rating is for make/break, although not always.    That means if there is power when you make or break the connection it can burn the contacts. 

If this is a newer loco, I doubt it draws more than 2 amps.    My older USH locos are in that ballpark, but the newer stuff is much lower draw.

Finally I have used something like the Micro Mark 86559 product.    This comes in 32 pin strips, and you cut off what  you need.   I got mine from Tony's train exchange and it looks the same as the photo.   I have made a number of 3 pin and 5 pin connectors and used them on the above mentioned USH locos.    You do have to solder to the pins carefully to avoid melting the plastic housing.   I then put shrink tubing on the joints.

BINGO! I think this will be my solution, the Micro Mark 86559.

Thank you.

@HudsonORailRoader posted:

BINGO! I think this will be my solution, the Micro Mark 86559.

GAD!  Don't pay that kind of money for a couple strips of machine pin contacts!!!

How about $10 shipped for ten 40-pin strips of male and female contacts?  That's over ten times the contacts for one half the price!

eBay auction: 403393431643

gunrunnerjohn: That's a great deal. Thanks!