This connector is a great alternative to soldering feeders to bus lines. The connectors are called Posi-Tap connectors. Posi-Tap Connectors The green Posi-Tap Connector can handle a 12-14 gauge gauge bus line. If you use 20 gauge wire for feeders you can connect up to 6 feeders at the other end of the connector. So if you have 60 feeders to connect to each bus line, you need 10 Posi-Tap connectors for each bus line. The connection is easy. Screw in one end of the Posi-Tap connector to the bus line and then attach six 20 gauge feeders at the other end of the connector. EDIT- This topic was also posted in the DCC & Electronics Forum Stay cool and run steam..... [ April 10, 2005, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
Bob - this looks like a really GREAT idea - thanks for the "heads up" - can you suggest a source - Lowes - Home Depot or their web site so I can try a box on my layout. Thanks Toots
Autozone - Posi-Lock, Posi-Twist, Posi-Lock Fuseholder O'Reilly Auto - Posi-Lock, Posi-Tap, Blade & Round Fuseholders, Posi-Plug, Posi-Twist Checker Auto - Posi-Lock & Posi-Twist Kragen Auto - Posi-Lock & Posi-Twist Schucks Auto - Posi-Lock & Posi-Twist Napa - Posi-Lock Carquest - Posi-Lock Orschlen Farm & Home - Posi-Lock, Posi-Twist, Posi-Plug Jeg’s High Performance - Posi-Lock, Posi-Twist, Posi-Plug Summit Racing - Posi-Lock, Posi-Twist, Posi-Plug Wal-Mart (see store locator) - Posi-Lock, Posi-Twist, Posi-Tap TruckPro - Posi-Lock, Posi-Twist, Posi-Tap As listed here: Retailers http://www.posi-lock.com/retailers.html I'm going to look into them also.
That looks like a cool idea. I was considering using Scotchlock connectors, these might be a better solution.
Thanks for the info Bob. I've been using terminal strips and just separating some insulation on the buss wires so as to maintain a continuous wire and avoid soldering; but this looks like another good option.
Guys: They do work extremely well. With 22 gauge wire you can probably connect 6+ feeders per connector to the bus line. I was able to connect five 20 gauge feeders to each connector. I'm using 14 gauge wire for the bus line. The wire slides into a groove and them you screw in the connector which has a steel pin on one end . Stay cool and run steam....
Toots: I ordered directly from the company as there were no stores in my part of South Florida (West Palm Beach area) that carried the connectors. George posted the list of stores from the website that carry the connectors. Not all of the Walmart stores carry the Posi-Tap connector. Stay cool and run steam....
Jack: With the Posi-Tap connectors you don't have to separate the insulation from the buss line. Stay cool ands run steam.....
I was rewiring a part of the JJJ&E today using the Posi-Tap connectors. I was able to rewire 160 feeders to common bus lines in two hours using the green positap connectors. The common bus line was 14 gauge solid copper wire and the feeders are 22 gauge solid copper wire. Each connector received five 22 gauge feeders. I used this method before and found that the connections are extremely reliable. These connectors are a great choice if you're rewiring part of your layout or are in the process of wiring a new layout. Stay cool and run steam.....
Thanks for the update on these bob, will definatly look into them when (if) I finally get time to start building again.
I decided to bring the topic out again as I used the Posi-taps for the second round of connections. The original Posi-tap connections are eight months old and there have been no connections. I wasn't a fan of this type connection, but a friend of mine on the A-board used them for his HO layout and he was quite pleased with the way they worked. So it goes to prove that you must go with the flow. I still believe a soldered connection is the best joint. However the Posi-Tap technique is very expedient. Stay cool and run steam....
