We have a need for 4 pin and 8 pin connectors for hooking modules together. We are running DCS with 1 common and "hot center rail. looked at Jones type plugs, seems like where I checked Mouser others they only sell plugs and sockets separately, and not inexpensive. Need the type that has the clamp for the wires going into the plug or socket. Also looked at Anderson Power plugs but they are single wire plugs. Need suggestions, and sources. We are open to all sugestions
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Anderson powerpoles. At Ham Radio stores every where. There is no limit as to how many pins you can bundle. The pins are genderless and stack up and down or sideways. The best on line catalog is www.powerwerx.com
Ham Radio only carries the black and white terminals. Powerwerx stocks at least 8 colors. The 15/30/45 amp series works with 10/12/14 ga wires. The 15 amp ends also handle the 19/20 drops also. All three ends use the same housing so everything is interchangable in the stacking process.
I would recomend to get their wire crimper. makes the job go much better
The Lehigh Valley HiRailers use 6 pin Molex type connectors. These are the ones orginally specified by HiRailers Unlimited. Most of the Independent HiRail modular clubs use them. The current ones from Radio Shack will work, but they are marginal, especially if you plan to run high amperage trains. But we have yet to melt one. Stay away from the 4 pin Molex. They give us a lot of trouble. If you need 8 pins, use the 9 pin plug.
The Anderson power poles are a nice well made plug. You do need a special crimping tool to assemble them. You can gang the individual connections together in a variety of patterns to suit your needs. We have given some thought to converting our modules to these, but so far have done only the yard modules.
Chris
LVHR
The Anderson Power Poles are a very high quality item, but they're way more expensive than Molex connectors. Our modular club uses the Anderson Power Poles.
+1 for Anderson Power Poles. We've been using them on our modular layout for over 5 years with no issues. As stated they might be a little more expensive, but the contacts last, no real gender concerns but you can connect them together and secure them with Pins to create a keyed configuration, etc...
Thanks for the info gentleman. Anderson Power poles it is: and Power Werz has them in sets of various sizes. They look great for the price so we ordered a bag of 15 amp and one of 30 amp which we will use to see what goes best with our wire size. DD
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