Question Z Bend Track Wiring Harnesses

Loren Nov 12, 2015

  1. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Is someone still offering the Z Bend Track wiring harnesses, RTR?
     
  2. RSmidt

    RSmidt TrainBoard Member

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    Loren,

    I think Chad Byran may still be offering them. I think his contact info is listed in Z Track as a club contact in TX.

    Randy
     
  3. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Also, one of the hobby shops too. Name eludes me, haven't seen an add for a while.
     
  4. craz3474

    craz3474 TrainBoard Member

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    I think it was AJ or KJ Kids.
     
  5. Rainer W.

    Rainer W. New Member

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    I bought several Z-Bend module wiring harness kits several months ago from "Hobbycraftsnmore" ( www.hobbycraftsnmore.com) located in Wisconsin. Use the search function (search word: Harness) on their website to quickly find the kits. The basic solder-it-yourself kits are pretty easy to put together with a 15W to 35W soldering pencil and a pointed tip. I believe they offer pre-soldered kits as well (for a higher cost of course).
     
  6. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had purchased a number of kits years ago and I had enough supplies on hand to build eight pieces. (4 complete sets) but had always dreaded the task and felt intimidated at the prospect of DIY. When I saw the price of the items at "Hobbycraftsnmore" I felt compelled to attempt the assembly myself. Fortunately for me I am a fairly good coppier so I took the cover off of one of my harnesses and simply copied what I saw. The assembly went smoothly and fairly quickly and as a result I was quite pleased at the money I saved by DIY.
     
  7. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    I've been trying to make a PC board, to make all the connections easier.
    If they didn't pay me the big bucks, I'd have that time. The day is coming though. Maybe in a few years. Probably a lot more years :)
     
  8. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jeff,

    Do you mean something like this?
    zbend connector.jpg

    For my new layout I'm playing with an extension of Zbend (30" module width, 4 independent tracks) so I'd need a lot of connections. Optional power monitoring LEDs. J2 for a shutdown circuit. Any interest? All comments appreciated.
    I've already ripped-off Silly-Con valley so I have time to play with such things.

    Mark
     
  9. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Circuit board was just to bus the each of the 3 pins, then bring them to a solder pad for 18 gauge wire. so 6 pads. Then the 4 User Defines (25-22) to pads also. Pads are strategically placed so each equal length wire, fanned out from a cable in 'an arc' would have an equal distance. Of course, if just using red/black DC Power (Automotive) or Speaker/Zip cord for those with just the 2 Tracks or 2 Tracks plus Acc Power, you just make staggered holes along the D-sub pins. This board will easily fit inside a typical D-sub shell.

    .032 PC board will fit between the 2 rows of pins. This means, just solder in between the 3 pins and voila, all 3 easily connected together. Saves a lot of this pin bridging that we all do.
     

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