I have used the non-Scotch-branch suitcase connectors, and I can tell you from experience, they will fail. This is why I eventually switched to using bare bus wires; I got tired of having to go back and find which connectors weren't doing their job. I used them on several of my N-scale layouts and they were a pain. I also used them on a local HO-scale layout that I helped build, with similar results. I had several call-backs to go back and fix broken connections. I used the same method Brooks used for connecting them.
If you are going to use them, follow Brooks' advice, else use a different method. The no-name ones are not worth the money saved. - Peter. On 01/25/2011 5:00 pm, Brooks wrote: > For what it's worth, I completed the wiring on my DCC layout (44'x25') about > 12 years ago. I used Scotchlock connectors (probably 300 of them)exclusively > throughout the layout for both the DCC and track buses, but also for the > lower voltage circuit for the structure lights. In all those years I've > never had a single electrical failure...100% reliability with the connectors. > There is a special crimping tool, but I did not use one. I just used care > when crimping with a 'Channel-Lock' type pliers that brings the two faces of > the pliers together in parallel. There was no way I was going to try to > solder overhead under the layout! It's tough enough just reaching "overhead" > to do the crimping. In short, I HIGHLY recommend the 'suitcase' connector > technology for DCC where you have A LOT of drops to connect. Brooks Stover > -- Peter Vanvliet ([email protected], or [email protected]) Houston, Texas "It is easy to give up; anyone can do that..." http://pmrr.org/ (my model railroad - RSS feed <http://pmrr.org/rss.xml>) http://fourthray.com/ (my company) http://houstonsgaugers.org/ (model railroad club) -- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
