Where to buy Tamyia connectors for Kato track?

[Maletrain]

I am wiring up a layout using Kato Unitrack, and I need to make multiple long extention cables for the track power wires and turnout control wires.  I intend to make one end accept the Kato "male" plugs and connect the bare wires on the other end to distribution blocks.  I intend to use AWG16 speaker wire for the extention cables.

In the past, I had bought some "Tamyia-like" connectors, and they did work, but not well.  The latches don't latch with the real Tamyia connectors, and the square "pegs" on the pseudo-Tamyia version needs the corners shaved a bit to fit into the real Tamyia connectors.  Still, I would use them if I hadn't mislaced them, apparently permanently.

So, what I would really like to find is actual Tamyia mini connectors that I can apply to AWG16 speaker wire. Does anybody here know where I can get those?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Are these the "kinda sorta work" ones?
https://www.amazon.com/Hobbypark-Tamiya-Style-Connector-Female/dp/B07MX8325R/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=mini+tamiya+adapter&qid=1684253034&sr=8-7

[Maletrain]

Ed, Yes, I think those are the same as what I have used before.  If you read the comments in the link you provied, you will see that others have had the latching problem.  Part of the problem with Amazon reviews is that they often mix reviews of different products in the same review list for a particular product. 

I have already searched and found those and some other listings, but none seem to be actual Tamyia connectors.  I don't know if I am searching in the wrong places or using the wrong key words.  I can find lots of search results in eBay and Amazon, but not in actual electronics suppliers. 

Also, note that it is the "mini" version that I need, with the 4.5 mm spacing between the contacts.  The sales listings often don't specify a size, or use "small" and "micro" as well as "mini" for that size.  Some don't even specify size and provide crappy pictures so that I can't even be sure of the real shape of the plastic sleeves that need to mate to make the connection.

It would be a lot easier if I could just go to Mouser and order a part number, but Mouser gives me no results for "Tamyia connector".

[Lemosteam]

That is because Tamiya is not the manufacturer, but the OEM that sources the connector from the true supplier.  Might be better off filtering for the connector specs, if you know them.

[Maletrain]

I have tried filtering on Mouser, particularly with the 4.5 mm pitch, and get nothing like a Tamyia connector.  Considering that the types of connectors that I am looking for are used in a lot of toys in the U.S., including model trains, Airsoft guns, RC cars, drones, etc. (although not necessarily the same size),  I think I should be able to find at least something similar.  The fact that I can't seems to suggest that I am not using the proper search words - but I have tried all that I can think of.

[Chris333]

Rokuhan makes Z scale track similar to Kato and there plugs work with each other:
http://www.zscalemonster.com/rokuhan/accessories/

[Maletrain]

Chris, I can just buy Kato extension cables in their fixed lengths, so no need for Rokuhan's similar cables. 

What I am looking for is the plugs that go on those cables so that I can make my own, with larger gauge wire, at the lenghts I need for specific runs.

And, all I really need is the female (plastic, male metal insert) parts for what I need to make, because one end of each cable will go to a screw terminal distribution block.

[Chris333]

Does Tamyia themselves sell them?

[Maletrain]

Trying to search Tamyia and Plaza Japan just turns up wired cables like I could buy from Kato, not the plugs for making my own. 

I suppose I could start asking Kato and Tamyia where they get the plugs, but I am not very hopeful of getting helpful e-mail responses from either of them.

I was hoping somebody here on TRW had already cracked this nut.

[Chris333]

I assume they call them Tamyia plugs because they were used on Tamyia remote control car 7.2 volt batteries. When I was a kid we made our own batteries by soldering cells together and I'm sure I wired in the plug you are looking for. I'd try a R/C shop.

[Chris333]

Search for "L6.2 Female Connector plug".

[Maletrain]

Chris, the L6.2 plugs are the "big Tamyia" plugs.  I need "mini Tamyia" 4.5mm spacing, which you would think would be L4.5, but is instead called  EL4p plugs.  Those don't come up in a Mouser search, though.

I do find a lot of Amazon and eBay listings for EL4p female plugs.  But, those don't seem to be actual Tamyia plugs.  The ones that I had before, and the ones that I see comments on listings, all seem to have very slight incompatabilities with the plugs on Kato Unitrack.  The square male plastic parts have corners that need filing to fit into Kato female plastic connector, and the female connectors have latch grooves that are too narrow to let the Kato latches seat and secure the coupling.  Both of those things can be dealt with by filing parts - it is just a PITA when making a lot of extention cables.  But, it seems like I could do that in less time than it would take me to find the real Tamyia connectors that Kato uses.  Since I only need female plastic plugs, they actually fit together without filing and are snug enough that they don't need to latch for a static use.

The really annoying thing about trying to order these connectors on eBay or Amazon is that, to find large lots of female connectors, I am often getting listings that are ambiguous about whether they are 6.2 or 4.5 mm spacing.  I am going to have to "contact seller" to make sure I am not getting the wrong spacing.  Not sure how well that is going to work for the "ships from China" sellers. 

[Chris333]

Maybe it would be easier to just chop the plugs off and use whatever plug you like.

[cec209]

@Maletrain,
I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for but take a look.

https://www.amazon.com/Hobbypark-Tamiya-Style-Connector-Female/dp/B07MX8325R/ref=asc_df_B07MX8325R/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=646704241875&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8787073546350396029&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052511&hvtargid=pla-1217821521770&psc=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw04yjBhApEiwAJcvNoR4_tXkODyAkaSl2-I-k7m1kZ2ZAzKWMoIX_RGKzOp2b2oIL0jG46RoCvv8QAvD_BwE

Charlie

[Maletrain]

Charlie,

Yes, I have found those, already.  And, they are the correct size, although I need to read down in the description a ways to find that they are the "mini" version instead of the "big" version.

And one "review"even says "Perfect fit for Kato trains."  But 2 reviews below that, it says "Didn't Fit Well to Original Tamyia mini connectors. The 'latch' arm dimensions were not compatible with my original Tamyia connectors."  And, even farther down the review list, it says "These knock-off connectors have a similar form to Tamiya connectors, but they are NOT interchangeable and will not connect to Tamiya connectors. They are a slightly different size and can only be used with more of the same."

So, what to believe about these particular connectors?  My actual experience is described above with a previous perchase - these males won't fit real Tamyia females without knocking the corners off the square "peg" of the plastic, while these females will fit real Tamyia males, but the latching mechanism is not compatible until you remove the too-narrow track behind the latch point.

So, thanks for searching a bit for me, but that is already well plowed ground. 

What I am lookig for is real mini Tamyia fasteners.  If I can't find them, I will go ahead and try to buy in bulk just the female parts of the ones like you found.

I am going to try calling Kato, since they don't seem to have a U.S. e-mail.  They only accept calls between 2 and 4 pm on weekdays, so I'll let you know how that goes, once I can arrange to be where I can make the call during that time frame.