Hello Has anyone tried those: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A814ZWY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AE8CEXT8X69U6&psc=1 Was thinking to use 20 awg for feeders, and 14 awg for bus, and was wondering if those connectors would work I'm running N-scale Thanks,
I use something virtually the same as those.. I use a 12AWG bus wire (what I had on hand) and run 18 or 20 AWG wire (forget which now) up as feeders.
The 14 awg-20 awg combination with the suit case connectors worked well for me. There are a number of manufacturers, 3M being the most popular and expensive. I found the inexpensive clones worked just as well.
FYI These suitcase connectors were designed to be used with solid wire not stranded. Some people have reported problems in using them with stranded wire because the wire strands can deflect under the pressure in closing the connector and a less than ideal connection is made.
Hi, We used to use them on our portable club oNeTrak modules and they gave us a lot of trouble. Maybe it was because the modules were continually being transported but we changed over to Wagos and have had no trouble since. The great thing about Wagos is that if you make a mistake you can go back and rectify it. They come in 2,3 and 5 terminal versions. I can honestly say that they have completely changed the way I go about wiring my layout. After laying my track complete with 2" droppers attached I need hardly ever use a soldering iron under the baseboard. Cheers, Ted
Our oNeTrak modules are about 4 foot long. Under the baseboard about halfway along I glue two Wago 5 port connectors, one for the each of the main bus wires. The positive bus enters and leaves one Wago block via the end ports leaving the three middle ports for track feeds. Ditto the negative bus wire through the other Wago. We use 12AWG for the main bus wire which is quite heavy and fits quite easily in the ports. Each of the other three ports can take about three track feeds using 20 or 24AWG. Hope that helps. Cheers, Ted
So you can double up the smaller wires in the middle connectors if needed? Thanks for posting this. I have some of the suit-case connectors but like this better, Sumner
Yeah, I double up wires and even triple them. I can honestly say Wagos have made a huge difference to the way we wire our club modules. You'll also notice some Button Gel Filled Phone Splices in the picture. These come in two or three port manifestations. When I lay my track I always pre-solder three-inch droppers to the track. Using these Phone Splices I extend the droppers so that the wires reach the Wago blocks. Using a three-port splice I can take two droppers and extend one wire to the Wago. Once the track is laid I never need to take a soldering iron to the track wiring. If I make a mistake I can un-clip it and redo it. Cheers, Ted
Which brand of the Button Gel Filled Phone Splices are you using? They look to be something that is handy also. If you want to change them out for some reason is there a way to release them or do you just cut the wires? Thanks, Sumner
I have tended to get the lowest priced ones from China off the auction site and I've never had a problem using 7/0.2 stranded wire. However, inserting 16/0.2 into the three-port splices was tight and troublesome and I bought some labelled Dex which take the 16/0.2 easily. As you guessed, there's no way of re-using these things - you've just got to cut the wire. Cheers, Ted
Oooh... I like those Ted! Do you have to strip insulation, or do the connectors peirce the insulation when you install the leads?
I tried these, in wiring my USA Trains G Scale GP30’s: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07114RK67/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 If wires are of proper equipment, they should work fine. Can get them in 4 different versions as well. Think they’re also available in different wire sizes, but I do NOT know what size(s). Nice thing, is if something doesn’t work, these connectors can be unclipped and reused! They might workable and they may not.
Hi George, With the Wagos you do have to strip the insulation. With the Button Gel Filled Phone Splices you don't. Cheers, Ted
This is how I'm doing it right now The wago lever nuts are glued on the wood bracket, and then that wood bracket is screwed underneath the layout Then I run my wires, using zip ties and pads I think I'm happy with how it looks....will do some tests tomorrow
Thanks a lot for the information. I'll have to see if there available at the hardware store or online at Menards. I've had trouble with the suitcase blocks. Richard
