Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Well, I'll jump in with another view... I do exactly what you say - remvoe a bit of insulation and solder the feeder. I simply take a wire-stripping tool and make two cuts in the insulation, about 3/4" apart. Then I take a razor knife and slit the insulation lenthwise from cut-to-cut, pops right off. Then solder away. I typically use a pencil-torch for this soldering since you normally don't have to worry about melting ties or scenery. Heat for about 5 secs, hit with the solder, done. After that's cooled, I recommend you wrap with electrical tape or use liquid electrical tape to seal it up. Is this easier than the snap-on suitcase connectors? No... and Yes. It's not as easy as snap-ons IF you can get a snap-on that will synch up with both bus and feeder wires. With 12 ga. bus and 22 ga. feeders, I've found them difficult to locate. But, If you _cannot_ get one that matches, and have to go through the hassle and expense of wiring heavier wires from bus to a terminal block, and then wires from there to track, it becomes significantly more of a hassle, in my book. Cheaper? Definitely, just based on not having to buy the connectors. And doubly-cheaper if you're looking at using terminal blocks because you can't get clip-ons to accommodate your wire sizes. More reliable? Probably... I'm old school myself, and will always take a soldered joint over a non-soldered one for reliability.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community