I have a turnout control panel (8 x 10 inch photo frame) that houses the Barrett Hill toggle switches I am using. I need to connect the 24 18 ga. wires that run from the back of this panel to the layout in such a way that I can disconnect them to separate panel from layout. I'm trying to avoid using any kind of system where I have to physically disconnect 24 wires from a terminal strip. Is there a system that would have two strips, one male, one female, that mate together to which the 24 wires from the panel and the wires from the layout are attached? Soldering isn't an issue as I've gotten fairly adept at that.
And just an aside: isn't it hard to search for something when you do not know what it's called?
Robert
Hi Robert, (24)'s quite a few, maybe you'll have to go with (2). Planning for the same situation one day and I'll go with a couple of these.
https://www.jpmsupply.com/product-p/95359.htm?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIt5I6YiJTtTZrgKM7yHqz-9mRceYYN2vlzv1YeOX_gumPT3GFd9uxhoCXiYQAvD_BwE&click=2
Those should keep things pretty simple.
TF
Hello All,
I used Molex® connectors.
On my pike there are 21 Atlas and PECO turnout motors; three (3) wire, Dual Solenoid Type. Eight (8) wired in pairs so one (1) switch moves both turnouts.
I also use two (2) Capacitive Discharge Units (CDUs) to give a little more "oomph" to move the PECO motors against the resistance of the drawbar springs.
They are wired with a common neutral from the panel to the terminal strips. The neutral is then daisy chained to every third pole on the terminal strips.
From the terminal strip to the turnout motor each has the required three (3) wires.
This allows for fewer wires from the panel to the terminal strips, and fewer pins on the Molex® connectors.
A proprietary crimping tool makes installing the pins onto the wires much easier, but a conventional crimper can be used.
The connectors have tabs on them so they can be panel mounted or the tabs can be cut off if not needed.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Try allelectronics.com
Part # CON-1200
It's a multi pin connector, 12 conductor comes with both the male and female connected with wire. You would just need to Cut the wires to separate the male and female 2 or more of these should work for you 3.70 each
Since they only come with 10'' of wire, cutting them in half would only give you 5'' either side, however, if you were to buy two extra and sacrifice, two male connectors, and two female connectors, you would have 10 inches each side to work withhttps://www.allelectronics.com/item/con-1200/12-pin-connector/1.html
A sidenote, I have used this supply house for years for a good portion of my electrical/electronic needs.... Switches, resistors, relays, ETC
As far as trying to search something online, I would use terms such as "multi pin connectors" "Multi wire, connectors"
ROBERT BRABANDAnd just an aside: isn't it hard to search for something when you do not know what it's called?
double row pin header
There is a male strip and a female strip. FYI the single row strips can be scored and separated to have 1 to 40 connectors.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/LmAAAOSwWzdhpxUW/s-l1600.jpg
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thanks BigDaddy,
But I am rather unschooled on electronics, so I'm not sure how these headers are used. I would assume i need two single row header strips, one male, one female, with the wires from the control panel soldered to the pins of one header, and the wires from the layout soldered to the pins of the other header. Does that sound about right? And if so, any advice on soldering 18 ga. wires to the header pins?
Try Micro Mark. They have connector sets to handle exactly this situation.
https://www.micromark.com/32-pin-Micro-Connector-Set_2
Good Luck, Morpar
ROBERT BRABANDDoes that sound about right? And if so, any advice on soldering 18 ga. wires to the header pins?
You have the concept exactly right. I use the 2 pins to power lighting in a building, so the building is removable. Your need was for 24 pins.
I'm not sure what you are doing, 18 ga sounds a bit over built to me. I have a tremor which was made worse by a nerve injury during shoulder surgery. I use one of those helping hands, two aligator clips on articulating arms.
If you feel you need heat shrink tubing, put it on the wire first. Hold the header pins in one clip, hold the wire in other so it is overlaping, touching and parallel to the header pin and solder away.
Got it. Thanks for the reminder about heat shrink tubing.
These are wires carrying 12 volt motor power to Tortoise by Circuitron machines. I'm sure that 22 ga. wire could carry that load for about 8 inches from the panel to the holder stand attached to the layout? How about the 8 feet between the holder stand and each of the machines? For the latter, 22 ga. seems too small, right?
And again, thanks.
ROBERT BRABANDHow about the 8 feet between the holder stand and each of the machines? For the latter, 22 ga. seems too small, right?
I miss Randy Rinker who would have something truely dependable to say.
DCC is way more sensitive than a tortoises. When we have had discussions about feeders, there are always guys chiming in that they are running EMPIRE size DC layouts with only 2 feeders. YMMV