Wire connectors

[IRONROOSTER]

peahrens

On suitcase connectors, I strongly suggest using the real 3M Scotchlok ones. I first bought some on Amazon that were listed as Scotch-lock or similar. They were inferior, such as one contact tooth vs. two. The low price was a giveaway. They were returned. I used the real 3M, with a parallel jaws pliers, with very satisfactory results. I used them for feeder offtakes only. For any bus splits, I soldered the connection, to eliminate any risk.

I’ve used the Scotchlok 567 connectors (bus wire 12-10 AWG, feeder wire 18-14 AWG) on my current and previous layout and have been very pleased with them.

On the previous layout I used regular pliers, which worked ok, but not ideal. On the current layout I sprang for the Scotchlok crimping tool which are parallel jaws pliers, pricey, about $60-70 IIRC, but well worth the investment if you have a lot of wiring to do, as the “per use cost” is minimal. They are particularly useful in tight quarters.

I use the connectors for attaching track feeders to the DCC bus, and Tortoise power to the turnout control bus.

Jim

I second using the Scotchlok tool. I also have been using it with my 567 connectors. Works very well.

Paul