Posi-Tap Connectors - An alternative to soldering feeders to a common bus line

Powersteamguy1790 Apr 10, 2005

  1. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    This connector is a great alternative to soldering feeders to bus lines. The connectors are called Posi-Tap connectors.


    [​IMG]


    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.


    Stay cool and run steam.....
    [​IMG] :cool: :cool:

    [ February 10, 2006, 06:40 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
     
  2. HFR3929

    HFR3929 TrainBoard Member

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    I like that idea! They are for sale at Walmart.
    Howard
     
  3. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Howard:

    Some Walmart stores have the Posi-Tap Connectors. There aren't any Walmart stores near me in South Florida that have the connectors. I ordered them direct.

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  4. HFR3929

    HFR3929 TrainBoard Member

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    Bob,
    I may do that too. I can see where I would use quite a few of them on my layout.

    Howard
     
  5. dstuard

    dstuard TrainBoard Member

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    But soldering is so, so ........
    ...Cheap!!!
     
  6. ncng

    ncng TrainBoard Member

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    And that is the real question, how much do they go for?

    David
     
  7. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    The cost direct from the company is $.75/connector.

    They are probably much cheaper at Walmart.

    If you use 18 gauge wire for feeders, that four feeders/connector.

    If you use 20 gauge wire for feeders, six feeders/connector.

    22 gauge wire for feeders, eight feeders/connector.

    These are particularly helpful for hard to reach areas.

    Stay cool and run steam....... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  8. dstuard

    dstuard TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe I'm missing something, but if you connect multiple feeders to a bus as described, don't the feeders then become longer (as opposed to connection to the bus at the closest point)?

    You have to strip the bus in any case, so soldering or wrapping the bus wire around a terminal strip screw would do as well, I would think.
     
  9. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    You don't have to strip the bus line at all using a Posi-Tap connector.

    You can position the connector anywhere on the bus line. Some feeders are longer and can be cut to the proper size.

    I can't see the problem with one feeder being longer than another.

    Use whatever method of connecting feeders that makes you comfortable.

    I justed presented an alternative to soldering feeders.

    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  10. SteamerFan

    SteamerFan TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for showing this Bob, Just got back from a business trip, so just now seeing it. I was looking at these before and was tempted, but definatly will now that you show the 1-6 connections. If i recall, their website showed one that would handle a step down from 16 gauge to 20 gauge as well, so those that prefer 1 tap per feed would be happy.
     
  11. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Jay:

    I've been using the green Posi-Tap connectors. I'm comfortable with five 20 gauge feeders per connector.

    I'm using these in an area where access is difficult for soldering so this is a great alternative.

    Stay cool and run steam...... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  12. NELSON ABBOTT

    NELSON ABBOTT TrainBoard Member

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    I used these to help simplify my wiring for my turntable. I took the feeders from the right side and connected them to the bus line. Man it saved a tone of time. The other side took me alot longer, but I was connecting them to rotary switches, three of them in all. Then I had the hot line going to the switches that I used these for as well as my lighted switches. I figure I saved myself about 2 hours of on my knees under my my layout hard labor. I wish I had heard of these sooner. I found them at walmart next to the suitcase connectors, which you really can't reuse. [​IMG]
     
  13. loco1999

    loco1999 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I got the black posi taps at walmart.
    ( They did not have the green. )

    They are Great !

    Time to get back to work on track and wiring.

    Thanks,
    Loco1999
     
  14. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Loco1999:

    I'm glad you found the Posi-taps useful. They are a great way to join multiple feeders to a common bus line.


    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  15. loco1999

    loco1999 TrainBoard Supporter

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    The connection is perfect,
    unlike my soldering.

    Thanks,
    Loco1999
     
  16. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    So, in the DC world these would be used for the "common"?
    1) I slip one over my "common"
    2) I can put 4 plus "leads" as shown in step 4

    Do I need to strip the common where I'm going to attach the Posi Tap?
    Thanks
     
  17. Kitbash

    Kitbash TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dang. Wish I'd know about these suckers a year ago when I rewired my layout.

    Thanks... I will have to get a supply to facilitate future projects.

    Appreciate the info'.
     
  18. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Steve :

    You don't have to strip the common bus line, just the ends of the feeders you're going to use in the Posi-Tap Connector.


    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  19. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Kitbash:

    You can always use these to redo some wiring. That's whatI did.

    I'm very happy with the results.

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  20. wiking

    wiking TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bob,
    Can these fit over bus wires that are allready in place or do you needsome thing else like a 3m suitcase type connector.

    Alan
     

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