I have a short lift out section that I need to cut loose. I am using DCC. I am looking for a suggestion for an easy to get apart, but reliable connector to get power to this section when installed. Suggestions?
The last time I bought a 12V 2A wall wart, it came with a connector/adapter that might work. I generally cut off the connector and tin the leads. If I left a few inches of cable for splicing, it would leave me with parts that might be used for your purpose.
Anderson Power Pole connectors. They have become something of a standard for several modular type layouts.
I use those to connect either my DCC++ or DC power-pack to different test tracks. Like them. If you are lifting out a section time and again and putting it back in I'd look for something where you didn't have to do anything. Contacts would touch each other when the module was put back in. Maybe more info might help, Sumner
You could have some kind of copper pads on the underside that conduct power. That way there are no things you need to unplug and reconnect. How many wires are you carrying across? If it is more than just track power, then my idea might be too prone to failure.
You might try messing around with banana jacks and see what you can conjure up. They're low tech, cheap, would center your lift out and are very durable.
Here's my 2 cents: The Anderson power pole connectors shown above typically are more suited for higher currents (15A and more). It's not that they don't work for lower current, it's just that they are bulky. But if that is what is needed, then they are certainly good connectors. At work we used them for high current power supply connections. Male and female coaxial connectors from Ash's post can be bought in bulk relatively cheaply, e.g. on Amazon. If you need more wires, DIP male and female headers come in practically any size; with a 2.56mm/0.1 inch contact spacing, they are pretty compact. The posts, even though small, are good for several amps. There are also DIP connectors that you can crimp onto flat ribbon cable, or flat&twist ribbon cable (twisted pair cable with short flat sections). I don't know whether that's good enough for DCC. I think people are using cat 5 ethernet cables, which are twisted pairs inside, but might have extra shielding. You might also already have surplus 4 pin PC power supply Molex connectors. Molex makes a ton of different connectors. If you search Digikey or Mouser for connectors, you will probably find too many options.
You could also try automotive contacts like the F body Camaros and Firebirds used on the lift gates. They are spring loaded. I saw that done at a train show, modular set up.
I used the method shown on video to join two halves of a small layout. It aligned sections accurately and securely. Maybe you could do something similar but in a vertical configuration.
