Adventures in drawbars

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I recently bought a bunch of Bachmann tenders to use on various engines. One thing I'm not really thrilled about is the drawbar. They have a downward zig, which is fine for Spectrum engines but causes problems with other manufacturers, specifically standard line Bachmann and Model Power. I also do not like the large gap between tender and engine.

I plan on replacing the drawbar with one cut from styrene or metal, and was hoping you guys might have some good designs you have had success with.

Because the drawbar will not carry electricity, I also would like to install a micro plug to transfer electricity. Does anyone have info on really small connectors I can use? I have seen some on Amazon, but their dimensions are not listed and they do not show the plug next to a coin etc. for size reference.

A 6 wire plug would probably be best in case I wire these for DCC in the future. I'm not sure how many wires MP uses in their drawbar, but I would also need a plug to match that. I would also like a 2 wire plug to experiment with.

[randgust]

My 'go to' material for replacement steam drawbars has been aluminum.  When brass gets thicker, its a lot harder to work. 

One source for plugs:  http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=4

[peteski]

For micro-connectors I roll my own from male headers and female sockets (singe and double row) made by Mill-Max.  Pin spacing on those is 0.050" and they have gold-plated machined pins and sockets.  I get them through Digikey (search for Mill-Max).  I just checked and they now seem to have even closer pin spacing available - 0.039" (1mm).

@Lemosteam also used a male/female MicroUSB connector between loco and tender. That to me was a great idea (I bought some but haven't played with them yet).

[Lemosteam]

For micro-connectors I roll my own from male headers and female sockets (singe and double row) made by Mill-Max.  Pin spacing on those is 0.050" and they have gold-plated machined pins and sockets.  I get them through Digikey (search for Mill-Max).  I just checked and they now seem to have even closer pin spacing available - 0.039" (1mm).

@Lemosteam also used a male/female MicroUSB connector between loco and tender. That to me was a great idea (I bought some but haven't played with them yet).

Whoa @peteski, that one goes waaaay back.  And now I think my soldering skills might be able to do it justice.  The only bad thing is I think you would need two for more complicated decoder so.

[Kisatchie]

One source for plugs:  http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=4

I checked out the link, and I found this caution:

"CAUTION: NOT TO BE USED TO POWER ROLLING STOCK..."

Hmm... rats...

[nscaleSPF2]

For micro-connectors I roll my own from male headers and female sockets (singe and double row) made by Mill-Max.  Pin spacing on those is 0.050" and they have gold-plated machined pins and sockets.  I get them through Digikey (search for Mill-Max).  I just checked and they now seem to have even closer pin spacing available - 0.039" (1mm).

Hey, Peter, there are at least 10,000 items under "Mill-Max" at DigiKey.  I am not exaggerating.  Can you narrow this down for us, just a little?  The number of variations of these mini connectors are a little overwhelming, at least to me.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Eh... $14 for one plug is a bit much.

[peteski]

Eh... $14 for one plug is a bit much.

If you're talking about the Mill-Max headers, that is probably for 50 or 100 pins!  You cut many locomotive-sized connectors from that (which are usually 4 or 6 pin).

Here is a link to 50 (single) and 100 (dual-row) pin female sockets (0.050" and one 0.039").

Here is a link to 50 (single) and 100 (dual-row) pin male headers (0.050" and one 0.039").

These come with straight through-hole PCB mount pins.  I cut the pins short, then solder the wires to those stubs.  To cut off the lengths I need I usually have to sacrifice one pin length.

[Teditor]

The Randgust link does show sub miniature connectors and yes the price is US $14.95, and one would have to question the statement "not to be used to power rolling stock".

So the question is, what are they suitable for.

Ted (Teditor) Freeman
From the land down under.

[nscaleSPF2]

Here is a link to 50 (single) and 100 (dual-row) pin female sockets (0.050" and one 0.039").

Here is a link to 50 (single) and 100 (dual-row) pin male headers (0.050" and one 0.039").

These come with straight through-hole PCB mount pins.  I cut the pins short, then solder the wires to those stubs.  To cut off the lengths I need I usually have to sacrifice one pin length.

Thanks very much, Peter.  It helps to have the proper terminology, when one does these searches (i.e. female socket, male pin). I have been looking for something like these for a long time.  Reasonable price, too, when you consider that you are getting the equivalent of 50 single connectors.

[peteski]

Thanks very much, Peter.  It helps to have the proper terminology, when one does these searches (i.e. female socket, male pin). I have been looking for something like these for a long time.  Reasonable price, too, when you consider that you are getting the equivalent of 50 single connectors.

 
I end up sacrificing one row of pins ineach cut, but even then those are a good bargain. And the precision-machined pins should be very reliable in a long run.

[mark.hinds]

The Randgust link does show sub miniature connectors and yes the price is US $14.95, and one would have to question the statement "not to be used to power rolling stock".

So the question is, what are they suitable for.

Ted (Teditor) Freeman
From the land down under.

I think you missed this part: "Units are rated @ 1 Amp".  So, if you planned to run motor current through the connector, you would presumably be OK if the motor drew less than 1 Amp (over time). 

MH

[narrowminded]

I have used these from this seller.  It's a lifetime supply.   
http://stores.ebay.com/wayinhouse/Electronics-Components-/_i.html?_nkw=1.27+mm+pin&submit=Search&_fsub=7324968014&_sid=1108344534