toolongtoremember Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Hi there, So I am looking to find a block strip connector that can be plugged and unplugged, to assemble and disassemble a layout for shows. I need this so wire between the baseboards. This will be on a DCC layout so will be required to handle some amps. So far I have found this; https://www.amazon.co.uk/DCC-Concepts-DCC-STRIP-Terminal-Pluggable/dp/B072QLJKYY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3BHT9F5CE6KUQ&keywords=pluggable+terminal+strip&qid=1575641988&sprefix=plugable+terminal+%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-3 But I am unwilling to pay so much considering I would need eight of them! Many thanks, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted December 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2019 any good? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Pole-Pluggable-Plug-Socket-6A-Terminal-Strip-Block-HYPS-01712/263730714333?hash=item3d679356dd:g:aWgAAOSwFq1bEdVE 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted December 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2019 Just one example. There are other suppliers out there. https://cpc.farnell.com/w/c/cable-leads-connectors/connectors/terminal-blocks-accessories/standard-terminal-blocks?connector-type=terminal-block-pluggable 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharris Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) My first port of call would normally be Farnell or RS Search for pluggable terminal blocks. You might not find an identical thing, but there might be something more cost effective. Edit: I'm not trying hard enough - Teaky did find something identical at Farnell. Edited December 6, 2019 by sharris 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolongtoremember Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Thanks very much for the replies, still in shock how much they cost! Literally the cheapest bits of plastic and the smallest amount of metal in them :'( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted December 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2019 Connectors are expensive, always have been in my experience 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Suggest not going that way, but look at other connectors. Having to do up dozens of contact screws when assembling a layout doesn't strike me as sensible. Suggestion 1 - the better quality solid pin D-type connectors (as opposed to the cheaper pressed/rolled pins) - just about adequate for DCC loadings at 5A. They seem fine on Burntisland which is a big layout, 5A system, and a lot of connections between boards. Advantage is a lot of connection pins for different things other than DCC power. Suggestion 2 - XLR connectors. In 3 and 4 pin types they are fairly cheap. Larger pin counts and the price can shoot up. I think the last load I bought were from Farnell/CPC (can't remember which half of Farnell was cheaper, do check! ). 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RFS Posted December 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2019 Plugging and unplugging one of these 12-way connectors can be quite difficult. I bought a couple to use as smaller units (eg sliced into 2-, 3- and 4-way) and they're quite tight to unplug just in these small units, let alone a full 12-way. I would suggest considering Nigel's suggestions above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 26 minutes ago, Nigelcliffe said: Suggest not going that way, but look at other connectors. Having to do up dozens of contact screws when assembling a layout doesn't strike me as sensible. You only do up the screws once, when the layout is built. After that they are pluggable. That's why they are more expensive. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolongtoremember Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Nigelcliffe said: Suggest not going that way, but look at other connectors. Having to do up dozens of contact screws when assembling a layout doesn't strike me as sensible. Suggestion 1 - the better quality solid pin D-type connectors (as opposed to the cheaper pressed/rolled pins) - just about adequate for DCC loadings at 5A. They seem fine on Burntisland which is a big layout, 5A system, and a lot of connections between boards. Advantage is a lot of connection pins for different things other than DCC power. Suggestion 2 - XLR connectors. In 3 and 4 pin types they are fairly cheap. Larger pin counts and the price can shoot up. I think the last load I bought were from Farnell/CPC (can't remember which half of Farnell was cheaper, do check! ). I quite like the idea of the D type plugs, more research is required by me then! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEAMYAKIMA Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) I will be selling some very soon - how many do you need? Send me a PM and we can talk it over. Edited December 6, 2019 by TEAMYAKIMA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolongtoremember Posted December 7, 2019 Author Share Posted December 7, 2019 So I found these; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112777790914 Perfect for what I require! 20 Purchased. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted December 8, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2019 So now all you have to do is buy the plugs and solder them up or buy male to male cables. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
friscopete Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 What ever I see on a western site ,like Amazon and various ,for sale I always check ebay for its real cost ie what it costs from China .Never disappointed . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 EBay is still more expensive than a Chinese platform such as AliExpress - much better for components (and often faster delivery) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF96 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 I have found that a 12 terminal long strip will plug together easily but is a right bar-steward to get apart, so I chop them into more manageable lumps to suit the things being connected across boards or panels., e.g. track or accessory buses, point motors, other gubbins, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grriff Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 (edited) Many years ago I connected two connector blocks by inserting long split pins though one connector, tightening the screws and inserting the protruding pin into the top screws of the second block. Wires are connected by attaching to the split pin on one side and screwing the other wire into the second block. You could use nails instead and solder to the head. Edited December 11, 2019 by grriff Added nails Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junctionmad Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) Quote You could use nails instead and solder to the head. Edited December 12, 2019 by Junctionmad 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithMacdonald Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 CPC Farnell https://cpc.farnell.com/camdenboss/ctbs431-12m-f/12-way-block-plug-in/dp/CN00143?st=Terminal Strip 12 Way Pluggable c.£3 each instead of Amazon £13 Does that help? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Liddiard Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Those pluggable terminal blocks are not reliable enough for exhibition use. In the past we used the 'D' type computer connectors and the pluggable terminal blocks on various layouts and they were all eventually replaced due to poor connections. On most of our layouts we use 24 or 36 way automotive connectors with gold plated crimped connectors from RS. These have now become prohibitively expensive (2-3 pounds per pin) so for our newest layout, Mauch Chunk which was at Warley this year, we used Mate-N-Lok automotive connectors (12 way) for all power and control circuits around the layout. This link: https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/39 shows the type we used (although I have no knowlege of the supplier). You would need a decent ratchet crimping tool but ,fitted properly, you know they will be 100% reliable and with with decent stranded wire for the inter-board link, they can easily handle the full 5A current output from our Lenz command stations. They might seem expensive but they will pay for themselves in the time you won't be spending under your baseboards at exhibitions. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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