I'm working on a pilot control panel using Ken Stapleton's 751D atlas controls. I'd like the control panel to have a drop-down face (ie vertical to horizontal). There seems to be a high probability for disconnecting one or more harnesses if not careful in working on the control panel or under the layout. Does anyone have any tips for adding strain relief to prevent issues with inadvertently disconnecting a harness from a 751D?
My control panel drops down, essentially 90°. I just used stranded wire bundled together using tie wraps. The flex part is about 8” long. The front panel also folds open about 120°. Samo samo, stranded wire with about an 8” flex. It’s been that way since I started building my layout or about 31 years and no problems.
Operating PositionDrop Down Position
Fold down panel
I put connectors on the panel so it can be removed to work on at my workbench. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Nice, neat work Mel! Pictures are very helpful! My plan is to use many small CP's, making walkaround control more feasible. Thanks my friend! Hope you and your family had a marvelous Christmas season!
I really like the removable panel, I’m constantly modifying or changing something and its super easy working on it sitting down at my workbench.Its all torn up right now for Arduino mods. I probably open and close the panel more in one year than you will drop your panel in its lifetime and I’ve never had any problems.We had a marvelous Christmas and I hope you and yours had a good one too. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Bundle the wires - if old school, use waxed string, if not, use cable ties. Run the bundle along parallel to the hinge for some distance before turning and heading under the benchwork. That will provide some strain relief. Or just leave enough slack - like in this fire alarm panel:
https://hrkirkland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20171221_144951.jpg
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerOr just leave enough slack - like in this fire alarm panel:
We had a long thread a few months ago about controlling handheld-throttle cable connections from fascia connections -- I think some of the approaches covered in that context would be applicable in this one.
I designed and built a CTC panel that incorporates strain relief. Here is a link to some images of the panel build. You can find the strain relief close-ups by paging through the images: CTC Panel Build
Very nice!!! Great pictures too. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Very impressive control panel Rock! Big plus is all the pictures, can get a sense of what you've done.
My little puny panels with 4 or 5 switches will look toy-like in comparison! thanks to all that replied!