Molex connector for Powermaster

You connect the PH180 to the Legacy Powermaster using the Molex connector attached to the PH180, so yes they are compatible.  You do not need to make your own cable if you have a PH180; the PH180 already has it.  Just connect the two together.

 

You only need to buy or make your own Molex connector cable to connect a ZW, Z-500/ 1000/ 4000, or other non Powerhouse transformer to the Powermaster.  The Powermaster does not have input connections for hot (red) and common (black), only the Molex plug socket.  The Powermaster does have A (red) and U (black) out for power to the track.

 

Hope I didn't confuse this more than necessary.

 

ADDED:  Looks like the way I drew the Molex connector in my drawing in your other post was confusing, so I redrew it.  I also added Johns picture of the end of the Powermaster.  The Powermaster gets its power through the transformer jack, the Molex connection.

 

 

 

ADDED AGAIN:  I keep forgetting you can buy directly from Lionel a Power Adapter Cable (6-12893) that connects your transformer to a PowerMaster.  I use the power cables needed to connect two TPCs to a PowerMaster.  Below is the cable you need to connect your ZW to the Powermaster.  Or just buy a PH180 and not worry about it.  The PH180 is an excellect transformer, has as much power as a post war ZW, and one of the best and fastest circuit breakers around.

 

Does anyone have a Mouser or Digikey link for the connector on the end of this cable?

Mouser P/N

Molex Female housing 538-03-09-2032

Molex Male housing    538-03-09-1032

Amp Female pins     571-350537-3

Amp Male pins        571-350538-3

 

Thanks.  It looks like the male ones are on the power master so I will order the female parts?

Looks like the first two part numbers start with 538.

 

 

Yes 538...dyslexia I guess.

You would order the female shell and the male pins.

Was not picking on you Cjack.  Just wanted it correct for future searchers.  Thanks for your help I appreciate it.

 

I didn't think that, I've  done that before so makes me wonder about me 😊

Gets worse when you get older....LOL

 

I think the Amp pins are the wrong ones. Here is a picture of the ones that fit the Lionel shell with pins and a picture of the pins I gave Amp part numbers for...The right pins are the first picture. Note that although the Amp pins will work with each other, the first picture (no part number figured out yet) are larger and fit snugly in the Lionel connector.

The body of the pins are all the same diameter (the second picture is out of scale a little) but the pin contact diameter itself is smaller on the second picture. Kind of swaged down at the tip and fits loosely in the Lionel connector.

TurtleLinez,

I can't easily figure out the part numbers of the right pins (I would probably order ones that I think are the right ones and see), but I will send you several connectors worth of them if you email me your address.

In my opinion, unless you are going to make many of them, just buy the Lionel part. To do it right you need a crimping tool with the CORRECT dies, or you are taking a pair of pliers or something to squeeze them.

 

Save money by skipping a few Starbucks, or maybe taking off the roof rack on your SUV, or inflating your tires to the correct pressure.

 

Some time ago I was giving that part away for free on the Buy-Sell-Trade when I finally saw the light, bought another PH180 and sold the KW. A PH180 is a modern UL-listed device. I am not implying that the part is worthless without a KW, for instance you could use that part to connect to an MTH transformer.

I ordered some of these...they look right.

1

538-02-09-2103 male pins

538-02-09-1104 female pins

 

Here is the catalog sheet...

 

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/catalogusd/648/1719.pdf

I've crimped a lot of them with the crimp tools available at Lowe's, etc. But the cords from Lionel are a good choice. I like to have a small stock of Molex, etc. available without having to wait a week.

You can also do these with a pair of needle-nose and then solder the wire if you don't have a crimp tool.  I used to do that with a number of connectors until I got some tools that crimp most of the connectors I use.