Terminals for wiring feeders to bus wires

[unittrain]

Just a quick question I have 18 guage feeders and 12 guage bus wires. What type of terminal would I need to purchase to wire my feeders to my bus wires? I was thinking on doing this instead of soldering them together in the event I have to troubleshoot and re-wire at some point.
Thanks

[Philip H]

lots of folks are using suitcase connectors - which can crimp two sizes of wire together.  Not sure you can get 18-12, but there might be some somewhere:

http://www.micromark.com/SUITCASE-CONNECTORS-IDC-905-RED-PKG-OF-25,8939.html

[John]

Strip the bus wire about 1/2 inch, twist the stripped end of the feeder, and solder .. cost - 1 cent

[SebastianLee]

With those size gauges you could get away with using a ground bar (weird 4, 9 and 24 terminals are all about the same price).

[wm3798]

Strip the bus wire about 1/2 inch, twist the stripped end of the feeder, and solder .. cost - 1 cent

+1.  Spend money for stuff on top of the layout.

[MichaelT]

I had too many problems with the suitcase connectors, although I know some people swear by them.
I gave up on them and stuck with soldering.

[John]

I had too many problems with the suitcase connectors, although I know some people swear by them.
I gave up on them and stuck with soldering.

I am all for reliability, but sometimes I think we model railroaders over think this stuff .. its a train set, not a nuclear reactor

[Iain]

I am all for reliability, but sometimes I think we model railroaders over think this stuff .. its a train set, not a nuclear reactor

Some people are slightly OCD about this sort of thing (like me).  I used to wire panels professionally.

[John]

Some people are slightly OCD about this sort of thing (like me).  I used to wire panels professionally.

That's great, but I wire my own layout .. as cheaply as possible

[cv_acr]

I am all for reliability, but sometimes I think we model railroaders over think this stuff .. its a train set, not a nuclear reactor

+1

We've been using the "suit-case" style connectors quite extensively at my club, with pretty reliable results so far. It's definately a lot faster and easier than stripping wires and soldering. So more wiring can be installed faster, (theoretically) allowing more time for the pretty stuff on top.

Tradeoff time/cost.

[wm3798]

heh.... Time I have!

[unittrain]

You know I think I will just stick with soldering I already got the bus for one track striped and all the feeders are done. I just need to twist them and solder. I was checking some of the prices for terminals and it would cost quit a bit more. One thing is for sure you can spend a fortune on the things that are not always necessary. After seeing the great photos posted on this forum I can't wait to get to scenery and structures and as Lee said it is better to spend the money on the top of the layout. Thanks for helping me come to my senses  ;D. I guess I should just jump and do it!!

[ArtinCA]

I'll second ( or fifth ) soldering. I've got one of those soldering stations that can dim the lights when using it. Getting wires done is pretty easy.

Art