DCC Stainz

[Greg Elmassian]

As I said, there are many variations, and if I was in the UK, I would consider the weatherproof ones. I would guess even in the UK, 3M is a big supplier.

what are choc-blocks? I'm keeping the goals of easy to install, no special tools, no soldering.....

Greg

 

[GAP]

As I said, there are many variations, and if I was in the UK, I would consider the weatherproof ones. I would guess even in the UK, 3M is a big supplier.

what are choc-blocks? I'm keeping the goals of easy to install, no special tools, no soldering.....

Greg

Greg
I think he was referring to a terminal strip.

Chocolate Block Connector Strip 12 Way 10 Amp Electrical Terminal Strips Wire | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chocolate Block Connector Strip 12 Way 10 Amp Electrical Terminal Strips Wire at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

 

[playmofire]

As I said, there are many variations, and if I was in the UK, I would consider the weatherproof ones. I would guess even in the UK, 3M is a big supplier.

what are choc-blocks? I'm keeping the goals of easy to install, no special tools, no soldering.....

Greg

Choc blocks are two way electrical connectors with a screw connection; another name for them is terminal connectors. They come in various sizes. The link in my post shows a strip of choc blocks and you can cut off whatever number of connections you need. Here is a link showing how they are used: https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/connectors-basics-of-terminal-blocks-and-types
They are called choc blocks (sometimes chocblocks) because originally they were made in brown plastic and so resembled a square of chocolate broken off a slb.

 

[playmofire]

Greg
I think he was referring to a terminal strip.

Chocolate Block Connector Strip 12 Way 10 Amp Electrical Terminal Strips Wire | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chocolate Block Connector Strip 12 Way 10 Amp Electrical Terminal Strips Wire at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

We posted more or less simutaneously.

 

[GAP]

We posted more or less simutaneously.

Yep Snap!!!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Thank you, not a term I was familiar with, see it is commonly used.

Yet another option for Sarah

 

[Paul M]

Something like this may be useful, if not too expensive

 

[JimmyB]

View attachment 291740
Something like this may be useful, if not too expensive

Wago, used for mains power, there are number of different ones, and smaller light ones are very good

2-conductor lighting connector (224-112) | WAGO GB

2-conductor lighting connector; push-button on lighting side; Lighting side: for all conductor types; Inst. side: for solid conductors; 224 Series; max. 2.5 mm²; Surrounding air temperature: max 60°C; 2,50 mm²; white (4044918583596) Online at WAGO GB!

www.wago.com

 

[Greg Elmassian]

So a complete range... I'd wager my first suggestion is cheapest and easiest since you don't strip the wire... but the ones with screw terminals can be opened and closed multiple times.

 

[JimmyB]

So a complete range... I'd wager my first suggestion is cheapest and easiest since you don't strip the wire... but the ones with screw terminals can be opened and closed multiple times.

True about not stripping the wire, I still have a few of these Scotch-locks about, both the choc-block and Wago can be reused, the Wago being a similar as the Scotch-lock as it is just a lever action for most, or a squeeze for the lighting ones.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I like them all for different things. I personally like screw terminals, allows the step by step wiring technique I normally use and helps debugging.

The suitcase type of connectors are good for people who want to keep costs down, and have relatively few connections and don't want to solder.

The more sophisticated "clamp type" need stripped wires, and often just one wire per "hole" so if you are connecting multiple wires, you need like a "ganged" unit, where several are connected together, which now gets bulky. Also in my experience, they do not deal with with multiple gauges, often you have thin LED wires and heavier gauge "source" wires and the motor wires are another variation.

All depends on your comfort level and budget and to a certain extent available space.

Greg

 

[Sarah Winfield]

Thank you, Gentlemen. I have plenty of the terminal block strips which are probably the most compact.

I'm waiting for Chris Rennie to finish his development work on a Stainz locomotive.

Sarah

 

[GAP]

You could always look at these, compact with a solder joint and easily installed using a heat gun.

2.7mm Solder Splice Heatshrink - Pack of 5 | Jaycar Electronics

Solder splice heatshrink tubes allow you to quickly join two cables thanks to the small section of solder in the middle of the tube.

www.jaycar.com.au

 

[dunnyrail]

You could always look at these, compact with a solder joint and easily installed using a heat gun.

2.7mm Solder Splice Heatshrink - Pack of 5 | Jaycar Electronics

Solder splice heatshrink tubes allow you to quickly join two cables thanks to the small section of solder in the middle of the tube.

www.jaycar.com.au

Never seen these before but available from Amazon in UK in packs of 55 for under £6.

 

[Sarah Winfield]

To GAP and Dunnyrail.

You both sent me the same thing but I'm still grateful. These would have been useful for previous projects.

Once I know what is involved in the battery and r/c conversion then I'll know if I can use these.

Regards,
Sarah

 

[phils2um]

You could always look at these, compact with a solder joint and easily installed using a heat gun.

I can see where these would be useful items to have on hand in certain circumstances. I'd be very reluctant to have a heat gun hot enough the melt the solder blowing anywhere near my loco chassis and body however!

 

[JimmyB]

I can see where these would be useful items to have on hand in certain circumstances. I'd be very reluctant to have a heat gun hot enough the melt the solder blowing anywhere near my loco chassis and body however!

Phil with a directed nozzle, the heat dissipates quite quickly, and within an inch or so is only warm, i.e. won't burn skin.

 

[dunnyrail]

I can see where these would be useful items to have on hand in certain circumstances. I'd be very reluctant to have a heat gun hot enough the melt the solder blowing anywhere near my loco chassis and body however!

A light touch with a soldering iron body not the tip should work for theses.