Wiring question for a layout installed 282R crane

[lionelsoni]

All but the detail of the pins, Roland.  The Molex pins are round, not square, as you can seen in the first picture.

[rlplionel]

I used a low-tech solution when I ran my 282 controller cable under the layout. I cut the cable in half, stripped the wire ends and fed the two cable halves from the accessory and controller through holes under the layout. I then used five small wire nuts to reconnect the cable wires  beneath the layout.

[USNRol]

I think these pictures depict the Molex connectors Bob is recommending for the application discussed here. 

Roland

 

 

 

  

[lionelsoni]

No problem.  Save the extras for future changes and mistakes.

[msacco]

Thanks Bob!.

One more if I may. If I bought a 6 pin molex can I only use 5 pins in it as that is how many leads I'm using. Probably a dumb question but thought I'd ask. I'm pretty sure it should work if the configurations match.

thanks again,

Mike S.

[lionelsoni]

Mike sent me this by e-mail.  I'm posting it here in case anyone else has a similar problem:

"Bob, could use some help with these. I bought a 6 pin molex set but don't know how to assemble. All the pins are attached with a metal web. Do you cut these off and if so where? Seems like there's alot of extra metal and I'm not sure where to separate them and with what.
Any help would be appreciated."

Cut the pins from the web as close as you can to the pin.  This means two cuts per pin, with most of the web wasted.  The only requirement is that the stub of the web be small enough that the pin can fit into the hole in the shell.

There are two sets of crimping tabs on the pin.  The smaller ones are for the conductor and the larger ones for the insulation.  I crimp them with a pair of long-nosed pliers, then flow a little solder into the conductor crimp.  It works best to have the pin pointing up when you do that.

Be careful which sex of pin you put on the wires.  I don't know how many times my mind has wandered and I got the wrong ones on. 

There is a tool for removing the pins.  You can also get buy with a piece of tubing that just fits in the connector hole.  Push the tube in the front as far as it will go, then pull the pin out the back.  With a little luck the pins can be reused if necessary.

[lionelsoni]

Radio Shack has some.  Fry's has more.

You are supposed to crimp; but I crimp and then solder.

[msacco]

Thanks Bob!!!!! that's exactly what I was looking for. I will need 5 pin i guess because that's the amount of wires for the crane controller. How do you attach pins to the wire leads? Crimp or solder? Oh, can you get these at Home Depot?

 

Mike S.

[lionelsoni]

I am fond of Molex connectors.  I use a lot of them on my layout.  They come in two pin diameters, .062 and .093 inch.  The smaller ones are made with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 24, or 36 pins.  The larger ones are made with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, or 15 pins.

[msacco]

I want to wire my 282 this weekend but not sure how to proceed. Looking for any special knowledge here of plug type connectors so that I can bury the contoller cable under the layout but be able to "unplug" it under the table so the crane can be removed for service or repair if need be.

  I'm hoping someone has done something like this because unsoldering all those leads on controller cable would be a drag. Has to be a better way to remove the crane when needed.

 thanks in advance,

Mike S.