Hiya. I've got a Kato power pack that has 12v d.c. ports(?) on the side of the unit that are used for the plug-in Unitrack turnout control. I don't use Unitrack so I'm wondering how I can use the output without buying the TO control unit. Anyone using the ports w/o the control unit? Regards, Jim Maurer
I use the Kato power pack solely for the purpose of controlling the UNITRACK turnouts. If you can find the snappy things somewhere that sells electrical supplies, perhaps you could solder a wire to it and snap it into the terminal. Failing that, you might be able to buy one control unit, take it apart, take out the snappy thing and solder something to it. I have not tried to disassemble one, so I do not know how that would work. If you are skilled enough at soldering, perhaps you could solder wires directly to the terminals, but you would have to be quite skilled at it, lest you damage the power pack casing. Buying one control switch and trying to use it as-is would not work, as Kato idiot-proofs them. When you throw the things, the contact is only momentary to keep you from frying the plunge solenoid in the switch. One of the things that I appreciate about many Kato products is their idiot-proof construction.
The connectors Kato uses are called mini-Tamiya connectors. They are readily available on the internet, and are used extensively in radio-controlled modelling CORRECTION - the mini-Tamiya connectors are for track power; not the snaps on the sides. I THINK those are the same type of clips as on 9V batteries - you can find plenty of those (just the singles) on DigiKey or Mouser
Are you sure that the "snappy thing" type connections shown on the side of the Kato power pack are "mini-Tamiya" connectors?
