Time to build a railway...but where?

[ge_rik]

Would these suit your purpose, Peter?

https://ebay.us/m/DLZYWw

Rik
PS Sorry, just noticed others had beat me to it.

[Peter Butler]

Graeme, I have some of the JST-RCY connectors (2pin) and they are good, unfortunately it would cause more problems as you describe as well as taking more space, which is in short supply.

Rik, those are the ones I'm replacing as they are tiny and have little grip on the wires. My concern is that they will not withstand reconnection for long and I would eventually be back to the beginning again.

Jerry, I like the look of the ones suggested and have ordered an assortment of 2-5 pin connectors, which I will find useful in future I'm sure. They come minus wires too so I can make up a loom to suit.

Phil, many thanks for your input, I would still be open to further suggestions if available.

[Phil.P]

One thing begs the question, Peter..
Why do you think they will require so much use?

If you have a 'central' charging port, I would think they would not need frequent disconnection?

Don't pay £3.49 a pair for those linked to earlier, though! - I have my sources..

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Phil, I have bought a mixed pack of 100 pairs for £4.66 (freepost) so if I need variants I have stock.
They still might not be suitable so I could be back?

[GTB]

as well as taking more space, which is in short supply.

Welcome to the wonderful world of bendy locos, especially Garratts.........

Spare a thought for us live steamers who need to find space for hot steam lines and a gas line, as well as the electrickery wiring.

In the very unlikely event I build another Garratt, it woud be r/c battery powered with independent engine units, each having it's own battery and ESC linked to a common Tx. Hang the extra expense, it's cheaper than having a nervous breakdown .......

Graeme

[Peter Butler]

as well as taking more space, which is in short supply.

In the very unlikely event I build another Garratt, it woud be r/c battery powered with independent engine units, each having it's own battery and ESC linked to a common Tx. Hang the extra expense, it's cheaper than having a nervous breakdown ....

Graeme

Now there's a thought..... My Garratt has independent power units and battery packs (which are connected to each other in series) and are both supplied by a single Rx, charge point and switch (housed in the loco body). If I remove the battery links to each other would that be more complicated for charging etc?

[yeronim967]

One thing begs the question, Peter..
Why do you think they will require so much use?

If you have a 'central' charging port, I would think they would not need frequent disconnection?

Don't pay £3.49 a pair for those linked to earlier, though! - I have my sources..

Phil.P

Fair point, Phil. Unless Peter’s planning a daily unplug-and-drag-the-boat ritual, those connectors won’t see combat-level duty. Also, £3.49 a pair? What are they made of, unicorn alloy?

[Peter Butler]

Thanks to everyone for your responses to my question. I have received the multi-pack of connectors mentioned earlier and I think they look promising as the female part can be panel mounted thus reducing the overall size.
The reason I asked for suitable plugs and sockets in not so I can disconnect frequently, no need for that with fixed charge point installed. The issue arose after satisfactory running session when I came to re-charge the batteries.... no luck! Strange as the three position switch is working and there is no problem with supply to the motors. Only then did I need to disconnect the tiny connectors to find the fault and the flimsy nature of them caused concern.
On a previous page I have shown my wiring diagram, can anyone spot a fault with the way I have designed it please?
The switch, charge socket and Rx are all mounted in the main body of the loco.

[GTB]

Now there's a thought..... My Garratt has independent power units and battery packs (which are connected to each other in series) and are both supplied by a single Rx, charge point and switch (housed in the loco body). If I remove the battery links to each other would that be more complicated for charging etc?

My plan would be to make each engine unit entirely self contained, with it's own battery and charge socket, so they'd be charged separately.

To all intents and purposes with this setup the engine units are just a couple of small tank engines double heading, with the boiler unit in the middle going along for the ride. With no wiring between units to worry about, the pivots would be a simple pin and socket for ease of separation and handling. Garratts with fixed pivots makes them a heavy floppy object that is a pain to pick up, carry and put on the rails.

Had a quick squiz at your wiring diagram and can't see anything obvious, but that's no guarantee. What processing power I have left is currently fully engaged in the paint shop.....

Graeme

[Phil.P]

On a previous page I have shown my wiring diagram, can anyone spot a fault with the way I have designed it please?
The switch, charge socket and Rx are all mounted in the main body of the loco.

There can only be two places where your wiring may be suspect: The switch, and the charging socket..

Assuming a SPDT toggle-switch (may, or may-not, be centre-off) the positive from the battery should connect to the centre pin. - This is not 100% clear from the way you have drawn it.

The charging socket may also have a switch built-in. - If so, there will be three contacts on the back.
For the sockets I supply/use, if you are looking at the wiring-side of the socket, with the contacts forming a 'U' shape:
Red goes to the Right.
Black (from the battery) goes to the Bottom.
I then use a sLate-coloured wire (grey), on the Left connection, and this is the negative feed to the receiver. - This contact is 'broken-away' when the charging plug is inserted.

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

PM sent Phil.

[Phil.P]

And one sent back..