Best Engine-Tender plug

[dpeterson3]

I am an HO modeler and was wondering what kind of plug would work best to go between my engine and tender. I want to add a decoder to one of my Pacifics and I want to put it in the tender (that way I can use tender and engine for power pickup rather than just the engine as is the current setup). I am going to try to build this decoder myself so, it will not fit in cab (where I have put others).

Thanks

 

[fast_ian]

A very good question...... How many conductors do you need between the two?

Miniatronics do some nice ones, but they max out at 4 wires, and they warn not to use 'em with any current. [They're rated @ 1A....]

FWIW, I put a terminal block in the tender (more space) and accepted that the shell had to come off & screws loosened prior to splitting the two - A PITA!

Anyone got any better ideas?

Cheers,
Ian

 

[dpeterson3]

2 motor, 2 power, 2 light, 2 smoke. I could tie the light and smoke grounds eliminating 1 wire. I could also tie the ground to one rail instead. I realize I would only get half the power this way, but if I use an LED headlight, it won't matter (still have to use a resistor, so the resistor controls the brightness).