Large Scale Central

USA Trains motor block electrical connect

I do a fair amount of scratch building and kit bashing. Recently I’ve used numerous USA Trains motor blocks, both two axle and three axle. I rarely use the electronics package originally installed in a USA locomotive so I “hard wire” everything. The question is if you’ve found an electrical connector that plugs into the pair of two-contacts in the USA motor block. I generally make my own from .050 ID brass tubing, but if I could find a ready supplier I certainly would prefer that route. Thank you for your efforts. Bruce Jahn in Northern California

Welcome Bruce !

I tried the LGB connectors but they are too loose and will fall off.

Bruce,

I’ve used the DigiKey offering listed below. The O.D. of the connector is slightly larger and a bit longer too.

https://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/mx120g-36799-series/30673?mpart=0367990002&vendor=23
Digi-Key p/n# WM9329CT-ND

Molex p/n# 367990002

https://www.molex.com/pdm_docs/sd/367990002_sd.pdf

Michael

Connector image

I used gold finished connectors from an AMP brand box of 100 I acquired a long time ago to connect JST connector wire pigtails to USA Trains 3 axle motor block pins.

The sockets are available from Digikey (P/N A1680-ND)
“AMP 66504-9 socket” for 20-24 AWG Wire Gauge (Phosphor Bronze, Gold Contact Finish)

Because I did not have a crimp tool, I used needle nose pliers to crimp and then soldered the leads. For insulation and added assurance of the spring effect of the socket and to prevent flexing wires from breaking off its ends, shrink tube was placed over each socket.

-Ted