Need mega-multi prong connectors

[Anonymous]

I'm about to build a portable freight yard & engine terminal module in HO and want the control panel to be easily detachable using a few multi-prong connectors. The "easily detatchable" part rules out using parallel rows of terminal strips and I hope to avoid using handfuls of double etc. prong plugs. I'm hunted for suitable connectors at electronic parts stores (Radio Shack, etc.) but to no avail. Can anyone suggest a part and source? The panel will have toggle switches for Tortise switch machines and DCC track current.

Thanks!

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jnkbritz
want the control panel to be easily detachable using a few multi-prong connectors. ... The panel will have toggle switches for Tortise switch machines and DCC track current.

Do your tortoise have one or two wires to each. About how many wires are we talking here? A standard PBX type phone wire connector has 100 connections on it.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jnkbritz

I'm about to build a portable freight yard & engine terminal module in HO and want the control panel to be easily detachable using a few multi-prong connectors. The "easily detatchable" part rules out using parallel rows of terminal strips and I hope to avoid using handfuls of double etc. prong plugs. I'm hunted for suitable connectors at electronic parts stores (Radio Shack, etc.) but to no avail. Can anyone suggest a part and source? The panel will have toggle switches for Tortise switch machines and DCC track current.

Thanks!

Forget about radio shak... Even if they carry what you want they will always be out of stock...

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=189&item=IDCON-36F&type=store

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=189&item=CON-36&type=store

Good luck,

Jeff
[8D]

[jwr_1986]

mouser will have what you need but they aren't cheap. http://mouser.com/ or the aforementioned allelectronics. Their selection will be more limited but their prices are much better because most of their stuff is surplus or salvage.

Jesse

[MisterBeasley]

Multi-pin D-type connectors, like the ones on old parallel-port computer printers, will support a lot of lines. They aren't for high-current applications, and by the time you get one of them wired you may be cross-eyed, but they have lots of pins and are pretty cheap.

[Seamonster]

You could try Cinch-Jones connectors. They've been around for over 50 years, they're big, clunky and ugly, but they come with from 2 to at least 25 pins, can handle high currents and big wires, and come in both panel and cable mounts and both sexes. However, they may be hard to find.

You might want to check out the Anderson PowerPole connectors. NTrak is converting over to these connectors. They are single conductor connectors, but they can be stacked and grouped to make as many contacts as you want in a connector. They come in different colours, can handle high currents and very heavy gauge wire. Here's a link to an article on the connectors at the NTrak website.
[code]http://home.comcast.net/~dstuard/powerpoles/PPproposal.htm[/code]

I almost forgot one. Molex connectors. I don't think they come in more than 12 pins and they can take only about #18 wire. Sometimes the pins (male and female) come separately from the shells. If you make a mistake and need to remove a pin, you'll need the extraction tool.

[Anonymous]

If this is a one of project, something you won't need to duplicate module to module you might consider a trip to your local auto salvage yard. Explain what you are doing and mention the connector that goes through the firewall. They have several dozen wires depending on model, one side is made to mount solidly in the firewall, the other is the end of a heavy harness that is held solidly in place with a bolt. There is not much demand for salvaged wiring harnesses because there is to much labor involved in finding and fixing any hidden problems.

The value of this idea may vary.

[Seamonster]

Now, there's an idea, bukwrm! There are other multi-pin connectors scattered throughout vehicles too--tail lights, behind the dash, in the engine compartment. I would think that these connectors may be rather dirty and require a lot of cleaning, but just might be worth the effort. Your post made me think of another kind of connector. Trailer lighting connectors. I think they come with up to about 8 connectors, can handle high currents, are polarized and rugged. Heck, when you put your mind to it, there's lots of different kinds of multi-pin connectors.

[Anonymous]

Forget about radio shak... Even if they carry what you want they will always be out of stock...

What a true statement... That's why I call them the "out house" either out of stock, or they don't carry it anymore. And,,,,, most everything they have is crap.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by capt_turk

Forget about radio shak... Even if they carry what you want they will always be out of stock...

What a true statement... That's why I call them the "out house" either out of stock, or they don't carry it anymore. And,,,,, most everything they have is crap.

Again, how true! The last time I went into Radio Shack (about a year ago), I looked around to try to find the radios. Guess what! They didn't have any (well, for the most part). They haven't carried much in the way of Ham equipment for many years, and now don't even carry CB radio equipment. I was looking for an antenna connector, and they didn't even have that! They no longer carry car stereo (or mono) equipment, either. The only type of two way radio I found was the device most commonly known these days as a cell phone.

They should probably go the way of KFC and rename their stores to RS cellular, just to avoid the confusion that they might actually carry radios! Oh well, I guess it's no worse than the time I sent a customer to Mail Boxes, Etc. when he was looking for a "rural" type mailbox.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jdavid93225

QUOTE: Originally posted by capt_turk

Forget about radio shak... Even if they carry what you want they will always be out of stock...

What a true statement... That's why I call them the "out house" either out of stock, or they don't carry it anymore. And,,,,, most everything they have is crap.

Again, how true! The last time I went into Radio Shack (about a year ago), I looked around to try to find the radios. Guess what! They didn't have any (well, for the most part). They haven't carried much in the way of Ham equipment for many years, and now don't even carry CB radio equipment. I was looking for an antenna connector, and they didn't even have that! They no longer carry car stereo (or mono) equipment, either. The only type of two way radio I found was the device most commonly known these days as a cell phone.

They should probably go the way of KFC and rename their stores to RS cellular, just to avoid the confusion that they might actually carry radios!


Oh well, I guess it's no worse than the time I sent a customer to Mail Boxes, Etc. when he was looking for a "rural" type mailbox.

[:-,] [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

Jeff

[Anonymous]

I use 25 pin connectors in my control panel to be able to detach the front panel.
Works well for me.
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=189&item=DB-25SC&type=store

[orsonroy]

Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Head over to Digikey for connector overload:
http://www.digi-key.com/DigiHome.html

Figure out how many pins you'll need, and what wire gauge you need the connectors to accept, and you'll find the connectors you'll need. Digikey is a major supplier of AMP and Molex connectors, and has the best online electronics catalog. Play them against Mouser and Newark for pricing once you know what you need:
http://www.newarkinone.com/
http://www.mouser.com/
If you want heavier-duty machine type connectors, also check with McMaster-Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Finally, for less expensive, less durable, more basic connectors (none of which is necessarily a bad thing), check with Samtec:
http://www.samtec.com/