Using Posi-Tap Connectors is an alternative to soldering feeders to common bus lines. I discuss the use of Posi-Tap Connectors in wiring your layout on my website below. Included are photo's of the actual connector in place after assembly. http://www.powersteamguy1790.com/1.html/Powersteamguy1790's JJJ&E
Bob, I had trouble finding them in CC. I went on the net and found their home page and I order direct. They run specials all the time and have some great products. I get their emails about every three months and have a large selection of connectors and sizes on the workbench. All my layour connections are Posi-Taps.
I live only two blocks from Napa's major distribution hub for the region. They have pretty much everything. I think I will walk over there and see if they have any.
As I get older I'm wanting to spend less time under the train table playing with the wires and more time top side running trains. The Posi-Tap connectors may very well be the answer. I will give it a go.
Auto parts stores...that was my thinking. How are the ones from the supplier mentioned different than the ones you can find at most auto parts stores?
Thanks for your website demo Bob. I'm getting started on the daunting task of wiring my new layout and the Posi-Tap connector looks like the way to go. With 500 sections of track to wire feeders to and then 1000+ connections to be made to common bus lines I could sure use a break. I gather you recommend using solid wire over stranded wire? How does the Posi-Tap connector make the connection with the main bus wire? Does it use the same principle as a Scotch-Lock connector "IDC style"? If you undo a connection can you reconnect to the same location or as with a Scotch-Lock connector they say NOT to reconnect to the same location? The Posi-Lock company recommends twisting two or more of the smaller type feeder wires together before tightening the barrel nut. I did not see this mentioned in the website demo. Is this necessary? Thanks for all helpful info. Jerry
Jerry: You first tap into the main bus line with the top of the Posi-Tap. The top screws into the top of the body of the Posi-Tap Connector. I use four feeders per Connector. I twist the four feeders together and screw the resulting one twisted wire(four feeders) into the base of the connector. You can use the same area of the bus line again. The3 Posi-Tap Connectors will make that daunting task a little more relaxing.
It makes wiring feeders a lot easier Jerry. I've gone through almost 70 black Posi-Tap Connectors so far. I'm estimating I have another 400 feeders to go to say the least. There are over 60 turnouts on the layout and each turnouts uses three pairs of feeders. Note:****Testing the wired track. Both locomotive run through the entire wired length of Unitrack perfectly at very slow speeds with no stalling in the turnouts.
I've never found them in auto parts stores. As I said previously, I saw them on rare occasions in Walmart stores in Florida; never here in Texas. You'll get the best price if you order them directly from the company.
I downloaded the Posi-Lock products catalog to obtain more product info. It appears these products were primarily designed for use in stranded wire applications. In automotive / marine applications stranded power feed wire is the norm and would provide the best electrical contact (greater contact area for the “V” tip that penetrates the wire). This may be of less importance to the model railroader due to lower current draw to a section of track making solid wire a viable alternative. The order online page at Posi-Lock.com shows a Yellow Posi-Tap connector capable of handling 10 – 12 AWG wire not listed in the downloadable products catalog; which btw still shows the Green Posi-Tap connector. This may have replaced the Green Posi-Tap connector. Jerry
Jerry: I don't think the Green Posi-Tap Connector is still available. As for solid verses stranded wire, I've always preferred solid copper wire. There are no issues using solid copper wire. You wrap four feeders together for one Posi-Tap Connector.
Rick: The time spent under the table would decrease significantly. Best of all you wouldn't be starring up at a hot soldering iron with excess hot solder dropping on your dungarees. If you wear shorts while soldering, you're definitely more accident prone.
Alister: You should try them out. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the results as well as the time saved.
I can solder all right, but I am looking at these as a way of streamlining something that I consider to be rather mundane - soldering wire feeds to bus wires - to leave more time for the other things I like better. I am building modules so I anticipate doing most of my wiring with the module sitting on its side on a table with me sitting in a chair working on it.
