I received a kit containing "bean" wire connectors. If you look in one end there is a piece of metal with a smallll hole in it, the other end has what looks to be dielectric grease. I have never seen or heard of these. How do I use them to connect the wires? Try to get the wires in the hole and then crimp? thanks
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Those are "B wire connectors" aka "B connectors" aka "Beans" aka "Good & Plenties" aka "dolphins" etc.
https://www.google.com/search?...e=utf-8&oe=utf-8
They were developed by and for the telephone industry. The original ones did not have the jelly inside. Two or three gauge 26 through 22 solid conductor wires are inserted into the large end. Then the connector is compressed using a B wire presser or an especially-constructed pliers type tool that presses but does not distort the connector. The teeth inside pierce the insulation creating what we in the telephone industry call an insulation displacement connection (IDC) which creates a "gas tight connection." That type of connection prevents static or noise, because the connector digs into the conductor and does not allow the atmosphere to corrode the metals.
They are probably not of much use in the toy train realm, except for connecting wires for accessories, etc. due to the fact that they only accept small gauge wire.
The small end, where you can see the metal insert, is open so that a special probe can be inserted for testing the connection. There are machines that cable splicers use that feed hundreds of them, in a belt-fed arrangement, into a large splice, as the splicer inserts the pairs of wires into each one.
We used them in the Electrical Low Voltage end of the trade. Mainly used for spliceing
Thanks for the great explanations. Can you suggest a crimping tool as mentioned and a source, I have several strippers/crimper combo tools but probably not the right ones. Thanks again.
I simply crush them with a pair of needlenose pliers, you just want to flatten them to hold the wires. No need for a special crimp tool, even the phone guys used to use pliers to crimp them, I watched them do it. 
These telephone splice connectors are a little more intense. There can be a gel, water displacement material. They are sometimes used for exterior application.
Insert wires (2) , with the insulation, use lineman pliers to compress the yellow part into the clear plastic body.
Picture and information is from the Grainger Supply website.
Security systems are chock full o these too.
OK, I am good to go. Thanks again for all help. This forum is the best. Merry Christmas to all.
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