Rail joiner solution?

[SouthPenn]

I believe I have found a solution (maybe?) to leaving rail joiners unsoldered so they can move, and soldering for good electrical connection.

It' Burndy Penetrox A. This is an electrical joint compound used for years on all sorts of electical connections. ( I have used it on 13,800V AC connection down to 12V DC connections ) It is a thick paste, about like tooth paste. It is safe to use and if you get it on your skin, just wipe it off. Using a small paint brush you could put a small dab on each rail end, then connect the rail with a joiner as usual. The Penetrox A is conductive and prevents oxidation for an excellent electrical connection. It will allow the rails to move also. It might make getting those extra tight joiners on the rails easier too.

I have been using it on my Sinohara switches. I put a very small dab on the small piece of copper that slids under the rail to make an electrical connection. I have also put a very small dab on the outsides of the points to make a good electrical connection.

  There are applications for Penetrox A around the house. I put a small dab on light bulb threads when installing light bulbs. This prevents oxidation and makes removing the bulb a lot easier. Great for bathrooms, outdoors, or any damp locations. You can also use it on your cars battery connections.

South Penn

[gmpullman]

I have used a similar compound on my G scale outdoor track where many of my rail joints are of the two-piece clamp design. It helps keep moisture out and prevent oxidation. Noalox^® is imperative for aluminum connections.

Still, nothing beats a soldered connection and 95% of mine are soldered on the HO layout. Multiple feeders take care of much of the current carrying capacity where a soldered joint is not practical. 

Thanks for the tip, Ed

[SouthPenn]

Penetrox A also works on aluminum. I have run what seems to be miles of aluminum conduit using Penetrox A as a pipe joint compoung.

The last time I used Noalox, many years ago, I was put off by the warnings on the bottle. Maybe it's been changed since then.

South Penn

[jrbernier]

It would be interesting to see if there are any voltage drop issues a year from now. Most of the electrical joint compounds I have seen are used on screwed connections. The force of the screw connection/tab and the compound keep oxygen out of the connection. Though it might seem like the rail joiner is tight, the air still will cause corrosion. I hope your test works.

Jim

[mfm37]

Solder a feeder to each rail. Then the joiners can slip all they want.