I need help. I have wanted to use the 25 pin connectors the many z scallers use to transfer power from one module to another to run their layouts. Putting all wiring from track to turnouts to accessories into one connection makes perfect sense and is infinitely more efficient then individulat plugs. My problem is, I can't find them anywhere here. I've been to almost every computer store, every electronics shop, and hardware store in the city and they are just nowhere to be found without cables being attached to them. I went to a place two days ago and asked about them and the sales guy told me I would never be able to get them without the cables. Those are sold only to computer manufacturers who bulk buy them and they are not for sale to the individual. I have tried everywhere to find these and I've come up empty. Can anyone suggest an alternative way to hook all my wiring together in one location with some kind of male/female plug? Before anyone suggests pin jacks, I've tried that idea as well. I can get tons of male ends without wiring attached but I can't get the female ends anywhere. Again these are sold only to manufacturers of equipment that require them. I'm using alligator clamps right now and these are drastically inefficient and if they touch each other they cause shorts. Not good. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi! I just went through this for HO scale, but I was looking for larger (obviously) connectors. I came across these while looking for mine. I think this is what you're asking about. http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/191/Connectors-Sub-D/1.html
I have sometimes the same problem to find some special parts, but... if you search on ebay.com for "25 pin connector" you will find about 500 results
You mean like these from Radio Shack ?? http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=d-sub&origkw=d-sub&sr=1 or these: http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/191/Connectors-Sub-D/1.html or these: http://www.mpja.com/products.asp?dept=86 .
For the complete cables and various supplies used in Z-Bend modules, try Hobby Crafts N More. http://www.hobbycraftsnmore.com Look under the Z-Bend link. I have not purchased from this site. I have obtained all of my cables (6 modules) from Chad Bryan, who has made many for me in the past for very reasonable prices, considering the work involved. Great guy to deal with. You'll need to probably give him some lead time to make them for you. Pat
Another resource for electronic parts is Mouser Electronics. They publish a catalogue the size of a Phone Directory. Their delivery process is outstanding... In the past I have ordered online and 2 days later the items are at my front door. http://www.mouser.com/
Mouser, Digikey, Allied Electronics, Newark, etc are large commercial suppliers with minimum orders, some $50. For lessor minimums (e.g. $20) try my links below. Forgot: http://www.jameco.com/ .
The 25 pin connectors shown in all of your references and links are exactly what I'm looking for but I'm concerned about the female ends, are they exposed in the back so wires can be soldered? Unfortunately Radio Shack doesn't exist here anymore. They left several years ago for whatever reason. I would have to order these and I wonder how these retailers/wholesalers/suppliers feel about shipping here? Sometimes there are disadvantages in being Canadian in that many things that you guys can buy in the states parctically anywhere, we can't get up here. It infuriates me sometimes especially in this case when these parts have to be ordered, an exchange rate is involved and it takes 2 to 3 weeks to get here, and then there's that nasty matter of customs duties if applicable. I do get a lot of my Z scale stuff off ebay so perhaps I will check that out. I need about a dozen sets for my existing modules and what I am going to add in the future. Perhaps I can get a deal somwhere. I was thinking though that if I couldn't get these types of connectors, I wondered if Trailer connectors would work. You know what I mean? Especially the push and turn type. There aren't as many pins in either side, but I thought they might be a viable solutions. The problem with them is they are bulky and don't look as neat as the others. Those I can probably get by the box full since there are a lot of RV and work trailer places here and I'm sure all the auto parts stores and Canadian Tire carry them. I'll have to check that out. What do you think about those?
I got mine from Mouser. I connected the two connectors together and just cut the cables in half so that I had exposed wire at either end and the connectors "factory made". ...and no neither the female end nor male ends have exposed wires. ...don
Computer cables commonly have #26 (0.4mm) or #28 (0.32mm). This is a bit small for most trains but works of course. Not so bad for MTL or AZL coreless motors but Marklin's permenant magnet motors and especially older MTL F7 can draw 2-10x more current. Cheap and simple though. .
I can relate to your pain. Check these links out; are these what you're looking for? If so, you can order some, or I can pick up some at my "local" store if you want. TYCO ELECTRONICS | 5747846-4 | HD20 Series 25 Position Right Angle Socket Board Mount D-Sub - Future Electronics TYCO ELECTRONICS | 5747842-4 | HD20 Series 25 Position Right Angle Plug Board Mount D-Sub - Future Electronics Scott
Yes Scott. These are exactly what I'm looking for. Where did you get yours and maybe there's a store here. I didn't expect the pins on either connection to be at 90 degrees though. Can I assuem these can be bent up to face straight out from the connector? I'm going to the Source today to check them out. It's one of a few places that I haven't been to yet. Perhaps they will have what I need.
I got mine for another project several years ago at Future Electronics (also known as Future Active, or Active Electronics.) The link gives you their branch locations in Canada: http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/company-information/contact-us/Pages/ContactUs.aspx?country=Canada The previous links were just to confirm what it is you were looking for. The ones you want are standard DB25 connectors, just like the printer connectors on old computers. You might check a couple of computers stores as they may have a few laying around, or they can be taken off an old motherboard.
Well it took a bit of doing but I finally found some connectors that I can use between my modules. They are not at all what I was looking for and thanks to all who gave suggestions as to where to find them, but I will make do with these since I'm really sick and tired of looking for what I originally wanted. These are similar to pin jacks only they are used mostly in the auto industry for plugging in instrument clusters on dashboards and some makers use them for connecting lights to circuitry. They come in both male and female pieces and wire can either be soldered or crimpted to the back. They are from the same family as spade and quick disconnect connectors. I've only been able to find blue and red which is fine for my feeder tracks but I'm going to have to paint the corresponding colours on those I need for 3 wire connections. It means more wire and more time spent in connecting etc, but it's pretty cheap and easy for 5 bucks for a package of 6 pairs. One must use what one can find. As long as they work, that's just fine with me.
