I need to find a reliable connector type to facilitate connection of a ten wire harness from one of my modules to another (turnout position indicator wires). I'm fine with soldering or crimping, as long as I don't have to buy a special crimping tool that I may only use this once. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Why not give these a try Anderson power pole they are easy to build simple crimp tools that you most likely have and solder the contacts and you are in business.
You can find all sorts of connectors related for RC hobby use (remote control cars and planes). Also, electronic stores will have multi conductor male/female plugs for computer components that you can use. Also, something I have done in the past was hit an automotive junk yard and find bulkhead, engine harness plugs and the like. Those make very good and long lasting connections for us hobby guys. If you want new, hit the auto part store, they may have some in the electrical isle, or the "help" rack.
Some ideas. IDC Connectors with Flat Ribbon Cable 10pin IDC Connector made to use with my BDL168 May work good if you are running small wires a short distance. Doesn't require crimper. The connection above uses 28 AWG wire with a 1.27mm pitch and 10 pin IDC . . Telecom Connectors Cat5e Keystone Jacks I'm using to connect wire runs from my Tortoise motors. A combination of Cat5(RJ45) or other type of telecom connectors might work for you. The benefit of a keystone type jack is that you only need a push tool to press each conductor into an IDC connection. You can either buy a crimper make the RJxx plugs, or just buy premade network or telecom cords. Also, only good for small wire. The connection above uses 8 conductor 22 AWG wire. . Molex Type Connectors Molex Connectors. Crimp tool, plugs/receptacles, and crimp terminals. This does require a special crimp. But the advantage is they can accommodate much larger wire. I'm using the .093" series connectors with 14 AWG wire. .
Molex connectors don't require any special tools. I just used some needle nose pliers and some solder to attach the wire to the pin. I did this with my CB radio in my car on the power cables, so I can remove it any time and easily plug it back in.
This is what I use - and a lot of them. My entire layout is semi-portable, and all circuits travel from table-to-table through these. They've held up for 25 years. 12-Position Male Interlocking Connector - RadioShack.com 12-Position Female Interlocking Connector - RadioShack.com You can repin these any way to want to make sure that each connection is unique. You can also get them a lot cheaper in bulk from electrical supply houses, same product. I trim the pin ears and solder the pins to the wires, then insert the soldered wire connection in the plug. Pretty easy. You can also put some pretty serious wires in there - power busses, etc. You can get this in 4 pin to 12 pin configurations.
Molex is probably the easiest. You could also use 25 pin D-connectors with solder cups, or a pair of 9 pin D-connectors.
Thanks for all the info. I like the Radio Shack option, since it's a two mile drive. The Molex connectors look good too. I haven't ever paid much attention to the options out there, so it is good to hear what others are using. Jack.
I was about to suggest the Molex connectors, when I went to check out the Radio Shack llink. They're practically the same items! Excellent choice; easy to make up in whatever configuration you desire, and with the ability to swap male and female pins in the sockets, you can key it so it's IMPOSSIBLE to mis-connect it! I've used Molex connectors for various projects before, and my only complaint was that, unless you bought the specialized tool to remove the pins from the plug block, once you put the wired pin IN the plastic block, it's IN THERE! There's NO going back after that pin locks down, without the lock release tool. WITH that tool, it's dead easy.
I took a piece of K&S tubing, drilled it out to the right diameter, and put a nail through it as a grip and made my own pin-puller. But yeah, you only make that mistake once.
I don’t know what you’re working on, but current and wire size is the biggest factor. Once I needed a 10 wire connector for #18 gauge wires and found a 12 pin Molex, but after preparing the wires I realized that two of the wires were connected together inside the power supply meaning that I only needed 9 wires so used I a 9 pin D-Sub Serial connector. I liked the D-Sub a lot better than the Molex, because I’ve had problems with Molex connectors coming apart. They don’t work well if you are going to be unplugging them a lot.
Well, I'll disagree about the "not working well if you are going to be unplugging them a lot" part - I've used Molex connectors on the yard modules of our N-track layout (two 12-pin, one 8-pin) on each module to feed power to 12 yard tracks plus the standard N-Trak wiring) and we've been plugging and unplugging them for 15 years with no problems whatsoever. If the pins are fitted correctly, they are virtually indestructible (but note that I did solder the wires to the pins rather than rely on a crimp only). The Radio Shack connectors are in fact virtually the same as Molex (they probably ARE the same, actually). John C.
Well I don't know what to tell you but i bought mine from Radio ShacK just last year and they suck! I probably should clarify this more. I did solder the wires and I didn’t have trouble wires coming out of the pins. I had trouble with the pins coming out of the holder and getting the pins to connect. It is always problem connecting. Now I don’t know if you just got lucky or the quality was better 15 years ago.
Go to Mouser Electronics - Electronic Component Distributor Look at the connector section. Just about any configuration that you could imagine will be found there. Pricing is competitive, quality is a-one, service is fast, shipping fast and moderate in cost.
