Yes, we have no banana plugs

[Anonymous]

It's a small thing, but some of you may not have noticed that the terminals (connecting posts, binding posts) on the rear of some transformers are a combination of screw-type and banana plug sockets. As Martha would say, "It's a good thing."

I prefer using banana plugs -- especially double banana plugs -- which are more stable overall than the single ones.

One user complained that his banana plug was so loose* that it would not stay in the socket. The ones that I have gotten from Radio Shack are actually split on the front end in an X-shape. This allows one to insert a very fine blade into the split and spread the plug ever so slightly. The result is a good fit and reliable operation, in my experience.

*Let's see how long we can all behave ourselves and leave this line alone.

[dochooter]

I am not familiar with banana plugs.  I have Z-4000 transformers.  I need to hook up 10 gauge wire to the posts and its kind of messy looking.  Does anyone have a better way then just wrapping them around the posts?

 

Thanks

[MartyE]

 Banana Plugs! Either way your wire is going to attached but these make for an easy disconnect.

[Anonymous]

Good pics. Those, of course, are dual (or double) banana plugs. They also come as singles.

Couple of questions: Do the output terminals on the MTH Z-4000 accept banana plugs, and if so will they accept duals?

Some banana plugs are quite limited as to the gauge of wire they will accept. Dochoot is using 10 gauge. I've seen a couple in the Radio Shack online catalog that will accept wire as large as 8 or 9 gauge, but they are not all that common and probably need to be special-ordered. Anybody have a better source?

Is there a "neat" way of attaching the large wire sizes to the banana plug?

Is there a better way of neatly attaching 10 gauge cable to a Z-4000?

 

 

[MartyE]

I would think the best way is spade connectors.  SSOmething like this...

  

 As far as the 4K accepting dual banana plugs I really don't know.  I guess they may make banana plugs that would accept the wire to be soldered in.

[dochooter]

great pictures.  I will look into using both but I bet the spade connectrs would work best.

thanks

new year resolution is to learn to post pics on this site

[lionelsoni]

Here is an uninsulated plug rated at 30 amperes (and so possibly suitable for wire as big as 10 AWG) that Mouser has in stock, for 75 cents:

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/specsheets/KC-301084.pdf

[Anonymous]

Marty, dochoot, et al,

Personally I only like the "spade" lugs that are full-circles and which are designed to be soldered, rather than crimped.

For true spade lugs, the ones that have upturned "toes" are preferable to the ones that can just slide out, IMHO.

My original post was designed to point out that in some cases banana plugs can be used and personally I like them, but I have no experience with wire any heavier than 16 gauge. For what it's worth, I make up wire "harnesses" complete with various terminals, including banana plug, an inline fuse holder, and different kinds of terminals on the other end, depending on whether they are to mate with press-clips*, screw-terminals, or whatever. This enables me to swat-out, swap-in easily whenever I want to try some different combination of gadgets.

I use banana plugs in my CW-80's (the dual type works great), but I have other harnesses  at the ready in the event the CW-80 is unable to serve, and "the runner-up must take over the duties and responsibilities of her position." So far this has not been necessary.

*Technically, "Fahnestock Clips."

 

[ChiefEagles]

Use them all the time.  Makes a great way to change routes of wiring and etc.  Son got me these for banna plugs.  Will have one of these flush mounted [on backboard at transformers] for each wiring zone.