Bus wires

[unittrain]

I'm getting ready to run bus wires on my modules having nearly completed soldering the 18ga feeders to the track glad that it
is nearly done but I wish I had soldered them to the bottom of the rails! Some of my modules I could do this on because I had'nt glue the track down yet. But they all look good anyway. My question now is with bus wires I'm using the Anderson 30 amp power poles
with 12ga bus wires to connect the modules. Is it best to solder the feeders to the bus wire or have some kind of 3-way power pole or something similar? If there is an alternative to soldering them to the bus what is best? I'm wiring for DCC operation.
Thanks

[Philip H]

Lots of folks, including many N TRak owners, are using Scotchlok or similar "suitcase connectors".

http://www.micromark.com/SUITCASE-CONNECTORS-IDC-567-BROWN-PKG-OF-25,8940.html

I've got them fo rmy wiring, and they seem to work really well.

[bicknell]

I solder all of mine.  I route them all to one location per bus wire, carefully remove the insulation with an x-acto (leaving the wire intact).  Wrap the feeders around it and solder.  Then some electrical tape to seal it up.  Easy, reliable, meets the spec.

[wm3798]

I'd go with Leo's suggestion.  I'm suspicious of connections that rely purely on a mechanical contact.  Especially in a modular environment, where the layout is handled a lot and there's a lot of potential for something getting bumped out of joint.

Lee

[sizemore]

Personally I connect all my leads to the bus via the suitcase connector. Once the lead is drawn from the rail, it takes about 5 seconds to crimp and close. My layout has been in operation for about a year now and I've had no issues. I like them cause they are cleaner looking, easier than striping and soldering wire but get the same result a good electrical connection.

The S.

[cv_acr]

We use those connectors extensively on the club layout. Really simplifies and speeds up the wiring, while leaving it relatively clean and so far extremely reliable.

[wm3798]

Duck, Leo!  They've got us surrounded!


Lee

[mmyers]

Throw my preference to soldering. We actually kicked IDC's back and forth on the NTRAK RP for a few weeks. Decision was finally made to mention 3M 567's in the RP and only once.
The cables I make up for our modules have a single 12 inch pig tail of 16ga wire soldered in the center of each bus cable. Module owner connects the pig tail to the track feeders by whatever means he/she is comfortable with.

Martin Myers

[wm3798]

Martin,
How much are those cable kits?  I might need one... or three... at some point (probably after it gets warm enough to work in the garage again...)
Lee

[bicknell]

I have two problems with the "suitcase" connectors:

The wider the disparity of wire size the harder it is to both find the right size connector and get a good crimp on both wires.  They do make some that work with a 12ga bus and a 20ga feeder, but they are hard to find.  I find with that set of wires in them the 20ga often does not get properly displaced.

To a lesser degree the metal bit can turn cutting a good number of the strands in the 12ga bus wire which I feel defeats the purpose.

If you want to use Insulation Displacement Connectors then the T shaped ones are better.  They fold over the 12ga bus and give you a screw or spade terminal to connect the feeder.  It resolves the disparity of wire size issue.  Another tact would be to use a 12ga - 16ga suitcase, a short 16 ga feeder off the bus to a screw terminal, and then break out to 20ga feeders.

Nothing wrong with using the IDC's, for sure, when done properly.  I just find it easier to spin the xacto, cut the insulation, solder real fast (iron as high as it will go, in and out it's all copper) and tape it up.  Plus I know there is
no chance it will vibrate loose when transporting modules around.

Not to mention, cheaper, no parts to buy! 

[Blazeman]

As I am in process of benchworking, this topic is timely. Appreciating the sharing of experiences.

Soldering experience is not extensive, so an under-the-table effort might be a good practice setup. Likewise, the suggestion to solder wire to track on the underside rather than flange.

I guess since it is all "under the table" there won't be as much emotion in this discussion. Won't even call it a  debate.  Seems though that the secret to effective use of the suitcase is to have wires that match the design of the connector. Details make the difference.

[wm3798]

Leo mentions the key factor for me, also... Cheap!

$5 worth of solder and flux will last you for the entire wiring project, and work on any wire gauge, and since you have to get some anyway to do the hardest part... the connection to the rail... it just makes sense to let fly with it.

And here's a hint...  You don't have to wait until your benchwork is fully installed to do the wiring.  I build my layout in sections, and make it so I can stand it on it's side to work on the underneath things from a comfortable position...  And that has made all the difference!

Robert Frost.

[unittrain]

Thanks all for the advice! I've been testing all my feeder connections with the voltmeter and finally got to test a portion of my locomotive fleet! So far all of the ones I've purchased over the last 10 years work!! I'll begin the bus wiring within the next couple weeks. I'll be posting pics soon!

[bicknell]

Thanks all for the advice! I've been testing all my feeder connections with the voltmeter and finally got to test a portion of my locomotive fleet! So far all of the ones I've purchased over the last 10 years work!! I'll begin the bus wiring within the next couple weeks. I'll be posting pics soon!

As a tip, if your meter has a resistance setting (may be the same as continuity, may not be) you can check the resistance of bare wire (e.g. a 6' section) then the resistance across your connections.  Soldered connections should show zero more resistance.  Connector joints will show a small amount more, emphasis on small.  High resistance is a bad solder joint or a bad connector.