My friend and I are building a transportable N-scale DC layout. For Storage and Transportation, the Layout has a detachable Command Center. The Command center is the box that has the Power packs, Switches, and Dispatcher display. Since the layout is DC, the track is divided in to 12 power blocks. This means that the cable that runs from the Layout to the Command Center has 12 pairs of wire(24 Cables). We are trying to find a connector(s) to use to plug in all 24 cables from the command center We were going to use Anderson Powerpole Connectors, but a set of 6 Connectors is a little hard to pull apart. Also 4 sets of 6 connectors is a little large. We're also looking at circular connector. I'm thinking of Molex's XRC connector. https://www.alliedelec.com/molex-incorporated-84511-0004/70191623/ The buss wire is 14awg stranded wire. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts. Multiple connectors are fine.
As an ex computer engineer I'm probably a bit biased, but I would use a 25 way 'd' type plug and socket. Though not circular they are nice and compact. They are normally rated at up to 5 amp per pin, and are available in different qualities e.g. with or without gold plated pins, or in more or less rugged designs. Here is one example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Male-or-...-Plug-Socket-Solder-Lug-Contacts/282082818272
OMG. I feel so stupid. I don't know why I didn't think about using a DB25 jack. I've worked in IT for 20 years. Since the buss line is 14awg, I guess was hung up on keeping the connecting cable 14awg. I found a couple breakout boards that have screw terminals for 12-24awg wire and a case. That will work great. Thanks
For added reliability and to reduce the effects of the smaller gauge wire in the cable, you could go to the 50-conductor version and have two contacts/wires in parallel per circuit.
I didn't have good luck finding a decent 50 connector. Here is the DB25 connectors I'm thinking of using. Any thoughts? I'm going to enlarge the cable hole for the 24x 16awg cables Here is the Cable's Connection. Twinkle Bay DB25 Connector to Wiring Terminal Db25 Breakout Board Solder-free (Male Adapter with Case) by Twinkle Bay Link: http://a.co/0JvqZSm Layout's DB25 connector. Twinkle Bay DB25 Connector to Wiring Terminal Db25 Breakout Board Solder-free (Female Adapter, Nut with Case) by Twinkle Bay Link: http://a.co/41aLdlw
Here is the DB50 I found. I thought about taking the 14awg cable and dividing the stranded wire into two parts and insert each part into the screw-less terminal Electronics-Salon Slim Right Angle D'SUB DB50 Female Header Breakout Board Module, Terminal Block DSUB Connector. CZH-LABS Link: http://a.co/dWMsKo1 Electronics-Salon Slim Right Angle D'SUB DB50 Male Header Breakout Board Module, Terminal Block DSUB Connector. CZH-LABS Link: http://a.co/dbegIG5
