Scotchlok Connectors which size to use???

[woodman]

I am using # 14 bus wiring and # 20 feeder wiring. What size of the Scotchlok suitcase connectors do I need to get?

[mlehman]

Been awhile since I looked at them. You do want ones sized specifically as they can be to the wire they are coupling. People often argue about the reliability of these versus everything else. They're pretty darn reliable if sized right and installed properly with the right tool. So you're on the right track here, sorry can't be more specific.

This link has the sizing and other specs, although you're undoubtedly looking for retail size packs.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/EMDCI/Home/Products/Catalog/~?N=5430181&rt=c3

[woodman]

Thanks, I appreciate the link, but I still don't know which one I need and yes you are right some of those quantities are a bit much.

[mlehman]

Yeah, those are the industrial strength packs. Smaller quantities can be found.

Your problem is the wide range of size between the two wires you want to connect. This is one that does cover 22-14, so I think it will work:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/EMDCI/Home/Products/Catalog/~/3M-Scotchlok-Electrical-IDC-905-BULK-Double-Run-or-Tap-Low-Voltage-Automotive-Applications-Red-22-18-AWG-Tap-18-14-AWG-Run-500-per-bag-5000-per-case?N=4294847403+5427538&&Nr=AND%28hrcy_id%3AGS763YD5WDgs_CRZKDQ2M93_N2RL3FHWVK_GPD0K8BC31gv%29&rt=d

There are some of the fancy waterproof ones that do, too, but they'll be more expensive.

Sounds like you're putting all your drops directly to the bus? Assuming this is DCC, this will make it complex if you want to add circuit breakers later. It's worth considering whether you want to group a set of drops by attaching it to an intermediate wire, then hooking it to the bus. Then you simply add the breaker at that point.

My layout was originally DC, so all the block wiring made it easy to do this. Which was good because I really hadn't taken circuit breakers into consideration. Maybe you've already got that figured out and I'm definitley up too late babbling, but thought I'd mention that.

[peahrens]

Be sure to get the real 3M ones and not the cheap knockoffs (which are different) which may be called scotchloks (or scotch-loks) too.  If they cost much less than 30 cents each that may be a red flag.  Mine were for 16-22AWG and the knockoffs (labelled scotch-loks) I got first were 8 cents each, not 3M, and different in design.  The ones I got from Mouser or All Electronics were about 30 cents but the real thing.