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A few comments on my first JustPlug installation:

First, as you can see in the photos, I used some of their street lights.  It looks great!  There is no doubt that not worrying about the LED power supply as far as using the correct resistors is a great benefit.  However, the thought that this eases installation is not true.  First, the wires are way to short to be used on the streets.  They would be perfect for doing a building interior, but wire will have to be added to get to the main board.  And you want that board at an easily accessible spot so that you can utilize the dimmer features.  The wires coming from the lights themselves are EXTREMELY delicate, leaving one to break during installation and I had a heck of a time finding what the problem was.  Also, the red side of the plug on my system was not working the greatest. 

In addition, the dimmer control board needs an overall on/off switch.  I'm going to look again because I can't believe it doesn't have one (I'll put my readers on this time).  As with anything, there will be a learning curve here.  Again, this would be great working on a building, at your workbench.  But installation on the layout will take a well thought out plan to avoid multiple trips under the layout.

dominic street night

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Joe,

I purchased the 4 position JST to terminal connectors. The 4 plugs plug into the 4 ports on the Just Plug light hub. So now I can screw wires into the ports instead of having to use the plugs. This is helpful for several reasons: you don’t have to drill a huge hole to fit the JST plug through, also you can easily combine several LEDs in the same port without having to buy several connector cables, also I can use my own wire for long runs instead of buying more woodland Scenics JST connector wires.

I hope that answers your question.

@Greg Amer posted:

Joe,

I purchased the 4 position JST to terminal connectors. The 4 plugs plug into the 4 ports on the Just Plug light hub. So now I can screw wires into the ports instead of having to use the plugs. This is helpful for several reasons: you don’t have to drill a huge hole to fit the JST plug through, also you can easily combine several LEDs in the same port without having to buy several connector cables, also I can use my own wire for long runs instead of buying more woodland Scenics JST connector wires.

I hope that answers your question.

Excellent!

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Last edited by Joe Fauty

In my two instances so far, I decided to use a light hub for each structure on first floor or street level after attaching LED's on first and second floors.  Then run an expansion cable from the hub to the expansion Hub.  I normally use plastic straws so to easily run the fine wires otherwise through the styrofoam and decking.  The Just Light connectors are wide and will not fit the straws so well to reach the expansion Hub.  So to continue my normal process, I must buy my drinks somewhere who offers straws with larger diameters, such as Arbys. 

I like the ability to dim the LED's individually, for example have two rooms second floor, dim in one side, brighter in the the adjoining room on the same floor.  The first floor can be done the same.  This adds variety of lighting coming from one structure.  A plus for the Woodlands Scenic product.  The connectors have worked well for me.  No issues with the light connecting and all working thus far.

@Greg Amer posted:

I purchased a starter set, but haven’t installed the lights yet. I love the controller and the resistors already installed, but hate the plug system. I purchased some terminal to plug connectors to use instead.

https://modeltraintechnology.c...nnectors-individual/

Greg, Thanks for sharing this product. I had cut several plugs and created my own terminal blocks. This will solve that plus the long run issue. I’ll try this on my next set of lights.

Last edited by WinstonB

I have spent the last two hours attempting to place an order for the four position terminals which fits the light hubs from woodlands.  Greg has done a good job selling the idea with me.  Especially since I have another dozen light hubs on hand and several structures to illuminate. I will not give up. The terminal strip looks like something Woodlands needs to think about and invest in to enhance their product.  Must continue and contact Model Train Technology to find out the problem.

Have A good Saturday guys.

I purchased some of these components for use in HO houses that are part of a forced perspective backdrop.  My findings:

  • As was indicated by the original poster, these wires are extremely delicate and TOO SHORT.
  • Figuring out how to install them and where to place all components is time-consuming.  You will make multiple trips under the layout.  I already have and the components are not yet in their permanent locations.
  • The only item I would buy again out of this system would be the wooden poles w/ street lights.  I've built those out of Weaver line poles and that's labor-intensive.
  • Overall though, they don't justify their high cost.  You can get much better bang for the buck doing it yourself.

George

Last edited by G3750

I went back and checked my notes.  This was my thinking back in mid-March:

"I am not impressed. The Just Plug system is (relatively) easy, cheaply made, and expensive. The words "flimsy" and "cheesy" come to mind.  I will use it for this particular section of HO houses and a street lamp (chiefly because of the lamp), but it will not see any other use on the Panhandle. I can roll my own and get a much better, inexpensive, and robust outcome."

George

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