Can someone recommend a small, two-pin electrical connection that is weatherproof? I want something that can be used to connect building lights to the low-voltage lighting system.
Ray,
How about 2 wire flat trailer connections available at most autoparts stores?
A pair of auto distribution blocks work for me, one for each polarity.
http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=C9730
Quick connectors (male and female) are also good, but you’d probably have to enclose them in a housing if you want waterproof.
http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=C9801
I use the 15 amp Anderson PowerPole connectors for a lot of my stuff. I learned about them in RC racing. They’re very easy to use, and they clip together so you can make all sorts of nifty multiwire connectors with them.
http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpoles-accessories/individual-housings-contacts-roll-pins/
Bob, Those are very nice for high current applications. My APC back-up supplies at work use them. Every time I change out a battery I get a free connector from the old one. I use a pair in my RV to connect a portable inverter to the house battery.
I don’t think they would do so well outdoors though.
For low-current outdoor connections I’d agree with Ric - Go with trailer connectors.
The best outdoor connection I have found is a standard wire nut with silicone inside it. I usually use an oversized one, typically a red, screw it on the wires, then fill the back with silicone. If i need to unhook it, the wire nut unscrews from the silicone and the wires pull apart fairly easy.
Terry Burr said:I do the same, but twist the wires together first to assure contact, then fill the nut with the silly-con and twist the nut on. This way, the wires are covered with the silly-con and more protected. On important connections, I will solder the connection first, then apply the nut as above. It's probably over kill, but I haven't had one fail yet.
The best outdoor connection I have found is a standard wire nut with silicone inside it. I usually use an oversized one, typically a red, screw it on the wires, then fill the back with silicone. If i need to unhook it, the wire nut unscrews from the silicone and the wires pull apart fairly easy.
I’d echo Bob’s comments about the power poles. I used them in RC cars trucks and boats and never had one fail, indoors or outdoors. In trucks, cars, or BOATS. Since I’ve still got a supply of them (wow those prices doubled since I got out of RC racing) I’ll be using those to start with.
Chas
When I had electric switch machines and took them off for the winter; I used the double contact “Trailer plugs” for my connections. They are polerized, and are meant for standing up to the elements.
If I were to start lighting any buildings, that I would need to disconnect; I’d go with them again…They are not expensive and stand up to the weather.
If I was just connecting wires together in an outdoor humid situation, and had little need to take them apart; I’d solder and shrinkwrap them.
You might be asking why I removed the LGB switch machines…well…way back when…they used to have magnets in them that were round castings, with a hole in them. Humidity would get in the hole and freeze during the winter…of course water expands when frozen, and those magnets shattered. They did replace the magnets in later years with square ones in a plastic holder, which solved the problem. Every year you still got all sorts of crap in the switch machines that needed cleaning out. Cleaning them was easier to do at the work bench in a warm shop during the winter, so that was made easier by having the electricle connections in the form of a plug.
I use the Malibu connectors that clip to the power line. In the fall, I just unclip them and put the buildings away till spring.
Bob McCown said:
I use the 15 amp Anderson PowerPole connectors for a lot of my stuff. I learned about them in RC racing. They're very easy to use, and they clip together so you can make all sorts of nifty multiwire connectors with them.http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpoles-accessories/individual-housings-contacts-roll-pins/
The 1332-25 contacts shown in the link look like what we call quick, or kwik, connectors.
I’ve used the male fittings to replace the wiring on USA #6 switches with wire rated to 15 amps. It’s possible to do a workmanlike job with no soldering.