Connector suggestions for swapping DCC power from one controller between layouts

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potatan
Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2024 5:06 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Connector suggestions for swapping DCC power from one controller between layouts

Post by potatan »

I have an NCE PowerCab. The power-out is two small terminal screws. I have (almost) two layouts that I would want to use the controller with, so I'm looking for suggestions for a plug and socket to allow easily swapping the PowerCab from one layout to another. At a guess I need something with no more than two connections, +ve and -ve, but I may be overlooking a future use case that hasn't occurred to me.

So the plug would be permanently wired to the PowerCab screw terminals, then each layout will have a socket that I can plug the PowerCab into in order to play with that layout.
aleopardstail
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Re: Connector suggestions for swapping DCC power from one controller between layouts

Post by aleopardstail »

something like this?
dc-barrel-connector-2-1mm-with-screw-terminals.png
dc-barrel-connector-2-1mm-with-screw-terminals.png (169.01 KiB) Viewed 1784 times
"screw terminal barrel connector"

you can also get panel mount versions of the socket, and if you don't want the screw terminals there are soldered versions with a suitable boot

potential drawback is mistaking it for a power connector, it could be better to use something like
s-l1200.jpg
which you then don't use for anything else (these can be had in two connections as well)
potatan
Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2024 5:06 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Connector suggestions for swapping DCC power from one controller between layouts

Post by potatan »

Barrel connector looks simple enough if that's all that's required, just need a threaded one that can be pushed through a bit of 9mm plywood and secured with a locknut. Thanks
aleopardstail
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Re: Connector suggestions for swapping DCC power from one controller between layouts

Post by aleopardstail »

potatan wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:10 am Barrel connector looks simple enough if that's all that's required, just need a threaded one that can be pushed through a bit of 9mm plywood and secured with a locknut. Thanks
have a look on ebay for "panel mount barrel connector"
s-l1600.png
ten of each for under a fiver
Suzie
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:46 pm

Re: Connector suggestions for swapping DCC power from one controller between layouts

Post by Suzie »

I like Speakon connectors, very cheap and industrial strength connectors used for speakers on stage, so they have to be tuff:-

https://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/nl4mpxx ... dp/CN22641
https://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/nl4fxx- ... /dp/AV3033

ImageImage

They are 4-pole so you can have auxiliary power as well as track power and nice big terminals to take big wires. They re designed to work with 2-core and 4-core speaker wire to make things neat.
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