Best way to connect Powerhouse 180 to a Terminal block? Molex adapter or?

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...80#30994727525078680

I would avoid cutting off the connector. New versions of the Powerhouse bricks have a tiny safety switch inside the connector to turn power on only when a mating connector is plugged in.

@Vernon Barry posted:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...80#30994727525078680

I would avoid cutting off the connector. New versions of the Powerhouse bricks have a tiny safety switch inside the connector to turn power on only when a mating connector is plugged in.

Thanks. Good to know.

FWIW, I have used these in the past as an easy off the shelf option http://www.lionel.com/products...c-cable-set-6-14194/

I just make them using the readily available Molex connectors, links below.  The mating pins are on the same page as the connectors at the bottom of the page.

Molex 0003092032 CONN PLUG 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...2032/WM1325-ND/61297
Molex 03-09-1032 CONN RECEPTACLE 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...1032/WM1332-ND/61321

Molex Female housing 538-03-09-2032
Molex Male housing    538-03-09-1032
Molex Male pins 538-02-09-2103
Molex Female pins 538-02-09-1104

Thanks John!

Thanks Vernon Barry! Looks great.  

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I just make them using the readily available Molex connectors, links below.  The mating pins are on the same page as the connectors at the bottom of the page.

Molex 0003092032 CONN PLUG 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...2032/WM1325-ND/61297
Molex 03-09-1032 CONN RECEPTACLE 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...1032/WM1332-ND/61321

Molex Female housing 538-03-09-2032
Molex Male housing    538-03-09-1032
Molex Male pins 538-02-09-2103
Molex Female pins 538-02-09-1104

Do you need any special tools to crimp and assemble these?

@JFC454 posted:

Do you need any special tools to crimp and assemble these?

Before I had the crimp tool, I used to just fold the tabs with needle-nose pliers and then solder them, worked fine.  It's just a bit quicker and neater with the crimp tool.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Before I had the crimp tool, I used to just fold the tabs with needle-nose pliers and then solder them, worked fine.  It's just a bit quicker and neater with the crimp tool.

Thank you.  Have you thought about making a few up and selling them through Hennings?

Not really to be truthful.  There are so many things that sound like a good idea, but I just don't have time to do all of them.  I look for things that are a bit off the beaten track and not readily available.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I just make them using the readily available Molex connectors, links below.  The mating pins are on the same page as the connectors at the bottom of the page.

Molex 0003092032 CONN PLUG 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...2032/WM1325-ND/61297
Molex 03-09-1032 CONN RECEPTACLE 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...1032/WM1332-ND/61321

Molex Female housing 538-03-09-2032
Molex Male housing    538-03-09-1032
Molex Male pins 538-02-09-2103
Molex Female pins 538-02-09-1104

@gunrunnerjohn, do you have a part number/supplier for a cheap pin removal tool that will fit the above pins? All my looking on Amazon, Digikey, Mouser, etc. keeps leading me back to a tool that says, "Male/Female 4 pin Molex Po... for 0.062" and 0.093" pins. It doesn't fit. The 0.093" end is a bit of a loose fit but will probably work on the male pins, but the other end (0.063") is too small to fit either pin.

George

Keep in mind that the PH180 puts out a constant 18 volts. That’s an awful lot for accessories and such.

@GeoPeg posted:

@gunrunnerjohn, do you have a part number/supplier for a cheap pin removal tool that will fit the above pins? All my looking on Amazon, Digikey, Mouser, etc. keeps leading me back to a tool that says, "Male/Female 4 pin Molex Po... for 0.062" and 0.093" pins. It doesn't fit. The 0.093" end is a bit of a loose fit but will probably work on the male pins, but the other end (0.063") is too small to fit either pin.

George

George, I use the real thing.

11-03-0006 Extraction Tool, 2.36mm Pin & Socket Contacts, 207121 Series

From the Lionel website in the "Support" section.

@VegasTrains posted:

From the Lionel website in the "Support" section.

That is nothing like the Molex connector you need for the PH180!

This is the mating connector for the PH180 transformer.