Some interesting products here

[Lemosteam]

Some really cool connectors on this site, never seen it before.

http://www.banggood.com/20pcs-2p-Quick-Connector-cable-clamp-Terminal-Block-Spring-Connector-Wire-LED-Strip-Light-Wire-Connecting-p-1001440.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc_elc&utm_campaign=indu-conn-all-sm-r45&utm_content=vivian&utm_design=46

And super cool:
http://www.banggood.com/100pcs-Blue-Quick-Splice-Wire-Terminal-And-Female-Spade-Connector-Set-p-970949.html

[Philip H]

that would be a very interesting way to run feeders.

[davefoxx]

And super cool:
http://www.banggood.com/100pcs-Blue-Quick-Splice-Wire-Terminal-And-Female-Spade-Connector-Set-p-970949.html

Whoa!  These really grabbed my attention.  I'm almost tempted to redo the feeders on my layout with these . . . and add more feeders.  Very cool!

DFF

[C855B]

Great find! Here's a kit with versions in smaller and bigger sizes:

http://www.banggood.com/120Pcs-Quick-Splice-Insulated-Wire-Crimp-Terminal-Male-Spade-Connector-Kit-Set-p-1045869.html

It definitely would be worth trying. The blue size was too small for taps on #12 feeders, but it looks like the yellow size is just right. In the meanwhile I'll look for mass quantities in yellow.

EDIT: Found 'em - http://www.banggood.com/100pcs-Yellow-Quick-Splice-Wire-Terminal-Female-Spade-Connector-Set-p-970969.html

EDIT EDIT: Also on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Pcs-Electrical-Cable-Connectors-Quick-Splice-Lock-Wire-Terminals-Crimp-Blue-/131678498503

I'd personally go with eBay if only to not have to sign-up with an eBay clone of unknown repute. banggood.com? Really?

[C855B]

OK... I just bought a kit of 5 pairs of each type from an eBay seller, whose listing said they ship from California. The Chinese sources were quoting 30 days. Fingers crossed!

[peteski]

You know, people who prefer to solder feeders to the bus wire will say that in these you have 4 points of pressure contacts (and possible failure) in these (as opposed to 2 in regular suitcase connectors).    But these do look handy.

[C855B]

Unless you clamp the tap on a stranded conductor, which then yields many contact points.

You raise the concern I have about where it mates with the spade connector - two points of contact in a fairly malleable material, probably aluminum. That's mostly why I jumped behind this $5 kit, to see how quickly the contacts deformed after repeated make/break cycles. Not like our normal use would be frequent unplugging, etc., but it would be useful to know when the flaky-contact ogre appeared.

[Scottl]

We await your report 

[peteski]

Unless you clamp the tap on a stranded conductor, which then yields many contact points.

True, but this contraption has few more additional ones by design. 

You raise the concern I have about where it mates with the spade connector - two points of contact in a fairly malleable material, probably aluminum. That's mostly why I jumped behind this $5 kit, to see how quickly the contacts deformed after repeated make/break cycles. Not like our normal use would be frequent unplugging, etc., but it would be useful to know when the flaky-contact ogre appeared.

I also always thought that all IDC (suitcase) connectors and crimp terminals were made of copper, until I ran into one that I couldn't solder (don't ask).  It was aluminum!  I don't like that.  Won't copper wire contacting aluminum terminal be prone to galvanic corrosion (under the right conditions)?

[Carolina Northern]

True, but this contraption has few more additional ones by design. 

I also always thought that all IDC (suitcase) connectors and crimp terminals were made of copper, until I ran into one that I couldn't solder (don't ask).  It was aluminum!  I don't like that.  Won't copper wire contacting aluminum terminal be prone to galvanic corrosion (under the right conditions)?

Exactly why I solder everything. Feeders to teh track (underside), not the joiner, and feeders to the buses. Do it once, do it well and walk away.

Don

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think I just found them on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Beetrie-120pcs-Splice-Terminals-Connectors/dp/B01CDWC60Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1463074975&sr=8-3&keywords=Quick+Splice+Wire+Terminal

[C855B]

Received. Should have a chance to fool around with 'em later today.

[C855B]

Pics first:







Inserting the spade connector into the tap was fine. The first time was firm, but subsequent make/break cycles were solid and the contact fork didn't spread noticeably. The smallest ferrule spade (red) plugged into the yellow tap (10-12 AWG) just fine. This would be the way I would use it for track buses.

HOWEVER, the liability of suitcase connectors is evident in the second shot. While you can see in the last pic it got a good bite on the bus wire (#12 solid) and the tap spread as it was supposed to, the insulated bus wire is not a tight fit in the housing. This will allow the wire to potentially flop around and pull out of the groove. It needs some sort of clamp around the wire.

Bottom line is I'm torn on these. Easy, cheap and fast, plus the flexibility of the spade connector tap. But much discomfort on the possibility of intermittent connection as time and vibration take a toll.

[peteski]

Are the metal parts copper or aluminum?

[C855B]

On cutting, bending, breaking and other crimes against metals, it seems to be an alloy. My guess would be a CU-AL. Certainly doesn't behave like pure aluminum, and there is a hint of copper color in the tear after breaking off a chip.