Model Forum / General / Railroads / June 2004

As you noted, Chris, prices vary greatly. Don't forget to include shipping
charges and tax when you calculate savings.

I have installed easily over 100 Tortoise motors in the last year. I have
never used the card edge connector. I will solder all the wires to the motor
before I install it, and run the wires to a terminal strip near the motor. I
feel that the connector can be knocked off too easily and it is just an
added expense that I can do with out.

 cruegger@capu.net (Chris),
 In a message on 1 Jun 2004 06:51:08 -0700, wrote :

C> Any recommendations for vendors providing the best prices on
C> Circuitron switch machines? I see their prices vary enormously
C> in MR. Also, isn't there also a "clip-on" accessory for attaching
C> wires to the machine without soldering? If so, who provides that?

The "clip-on" thing is known as an PCB Edge Connector.  Mouser might
have something, unless Circuitron has the part.

C> Thanks in advance.
C>                                                                                                                          

                                    \/
Robert Heller                        ||InterNet:   heller@cs.umass.edu
http://vis-www.cs.umass.edu/~heller  ||            heller@deepsoft.com
http://www.deepsoft.com              /\FidoNet:    1:321/153

                               

Chris, for the Circuitron motors themselves you'll just have to shop
around.  The last batch I picked up (about 18 of them) was at a local
GATS-type show.  The price per unit was maybe a few cents more than the
cheapest mail-order price, but considering I had already paid admission
to the show and would save shipping etc., it was a wash.  Go for
convenience and a reliable vendor and don't worry if you spend a few
pennies more for each machine.

 For the connectors, you can try Parkade Hobbies at
http://www.parkadehobbies.com/ .  They have the 8-position type that's
an exact fit for the Tortoise.  Standard disclaimers apply:  I have no
business relationship with them, just a satisfied customer, YMMV, void
where prohibited, etc.

 Most electrical shops that carry this type of connector only have the
more common 10-position variety (.156 centers and .062 board thickness,
IIRC).  If you get a good deal on them, you can buy locating inserts (or
make them out of .060 styrene) and put one in each end to narrow them
down to the necessary 8 positions.

One poster mentioned soldering directly to the Tortoise instead, and I
have done that as well.  But after trying the connectors, I like them
better and have not had any problems with them getting knocked or pulled
off.  Actually, all the ones I have used are a tight friction fit and it
would probably take quite a pull directly downward to dislodge them.  To
me, that's a good thing because it's sort of a "safety release" that
might avoid some damage to wiring or switch machines should anything
ever get snagged.  But to each their own, and of course he is correct
about the added cost.

HTH,
Steve