Subject:
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Alternate track wiring methods
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Tue, 4 Jun 2002 23:41:31 GMT
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Reply-To:
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jrclark@nospam.aol.NOSPAMcom
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Viewed:
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1772 times
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I have been doing some experimenting with electrical wiring, and found a
need to connect wires to the track more cheaply than with LEGO track
connectors. I found two solutions which I believe to be excellent, and
so I offer them to the community.
First, for quick and dirty connections, a small alligator clip (in the
closed position) can be inserted horizontally into one of the four small
holes on each side of the track. The wheels bump them slightly, but not
enough to derail the train. They are held in place by friction, and can
be removed easily.
Second, for a more professional connection, I looked around for
something that was the size and shape of those little holes. Something
that was smaller than the alligator clip. I tried bobbie pins, machine
screws, paper clips, all sorts of things. Nothing seemed to be what I
was looking for. I wanted something that would be non-permanent, but
would not jostle out (and would not damage the relatively soft plastic
of the track pieces, as bobbie pins tended to).
Suddenly, inspiration struck, and I ripped the pocket clip off a Bic
rollerball pen. I clipped it short with wire cutters, filed off the
rough edges, and soldered a wire to it (the little silhouette of the bic
guy was perfect for feeding a wire through). The bump that holds the pen
to your pocket now works to hold the connector to the track. Because
it's curved, it doesn't interfere with the wheels of the trains, and
because it's metal, it's a great conductor.
If my descriptions are lacking, check out photos at:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=18447
Take a look and see what you think.
Rick Clark
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