The Posi-Tap Connector - An Alternative To Soldering

           THE POSI-TAP CONNECTOR-AN ALTERNATIVE TO SOLDERING

The Posi-Tap Connector is an alternative to soldering feeders to common bus lines under the bench work on a permanent layout

Soldering Feeders to common bus lines under the bench work of a permanent layout can be a daunting and difficult task. It doesn't matter the size of the layout. Most modelers soldering technique is marginal at best. This observation is noted when the wires to be soldered are right in front of the person doing the soldering.

Now lets change the position of the modeler to under the bench work and looking up at the area to be soldered. We all can recognize the picture and many of us have spent many hours under the bench work of a layout trying to solder a 22 gauge feeder to a 14 gauge common bus line. Now the soldering technique becomes more compromised.

A small layout isn't too difficult to do and can usually be accomplished in a weekend. But, what if the layout is a medium to large sized track plan. Soldering wires in this position can be a drudgery, a pain in the back and too often modelers as a group take short cuts in the soldering technique. The results are poorly soldered joints which result in inadequate electrical connections.

Over nine years ago, I found Posi-Tap Connectors while doing a Google search online for a connector that would in effect hold two or more wires together as in a soldered joint.

There is a company in Missouri that makes these Connectors. The Posi-Tap Connector comes in many sizes (number of feeders that can be connected to a bus line). Two sizes were particularly relevant to N Scale Modeling. The first one is the green Posi-Tap Connector. It can hold five 22 gauge feeders that can be connected to a 14 gauge common bus lines. The second one is a Black Posi-Tap Connector that can attach four 22 gauge feeders to the same common bus line.

It doesn't matter if you use solid copper wire or stranded copper wire for the feeders or common bus line. The Posi-Tap Connector works equally well with both types of copper wire. I happen to use solid copper wire which I've used in model railroading for over sixty years. My, how time passes when you're having fun.

The Posi-Tap Connector is made in three pieces. A cap at either end the body body of the Connector in the middle. Wiring feeders to common bus lines is an easy project with Posi-Tap Connectors. First you place the top cap over a 14 gauge common bus line. Next, you tighten the common bus line in the top cap by screwing the body of the Connector into the top cap. You next place four feeders into the bottom cap of the Connector and then screw the bottom cap in the other end of the body of the Connector. Lo and behold, you joined four feeders to a common bus line. There are no tools needed to do this. You can hand tighten the caps of the Connector to its body. You now can semi retire your soldering iron and solder for soldering connections under bench work.

The next question you're going to ask is: How long does this connection last? On the "original" JJJ&E, the Posi-Tap Connectors were used in the Switching Yard, turntable area and fourth addition to the layout over six years ago. When I dismantled the layout in February 2009, it was difficult to unscrew the Connectors that I hand tightened six years before.

I'm using the Black and Green Posi-Tap Connectors on the "New" JJJ&E which has almost 1000 pairs of feeders to connect to common bus lines. Below are some photo's of 22 gauge solid copper wire feeders connected to a 14 gauge solid copper common bus line with a black Posi-Tap Connector.

Photo 1

Photo 1 shows four feeders connected to the red common bus line and four feeders connected to the black common bus line. I used two Posi-Tap Connectors to connect eight feeders to the common bus lines.

Photo 2

Photo 2 shows seven feeders connected to the red common bus lines using two Posi-Tap Connectors and seven feeders connected to the black common bus lines using again two Posi-Tap Connectors. So, in this photo, I used four Connectors to connect fourteen feeders to common bus lines.

The wire hanging straight down in Photo 2 is the power wiring for a Unitrack switch/turnout which will be soldered to a stationary decoder.

The white clips in both photo's are "Kwik Clips" that channels the wiring under the bench work.

Posi-Tap Connectors can be purchased from the manufacturer at the link below:

(Posi-Lock(R) - The Best Connectors You'll Ever Use!)


I purchased the Black Posi-Tap Connectors in a package of 30. The turnaround time is about one week. They no longer sell the Green Posi-Tap Connector.

This Connector will definitely shorten the time it takes to properly wire a layout. I highly recommend you give them a try.

At times you can also find black Posi-Tap Connectors in packages of six in the Electronics department of WalMart. I had no trouble finding them in regular WalMart stores in South Florida, but haven't found them as yet in the Dallas area.

Note - ** You can also use Posi-Tap Connectors in HO scale. You can insert three 18 gauge feeders in one black Posi-Tap connector. The Posi Tap Connectors also can in various sizes to accommodate different wire sizes.


Now enjoy connecting your dropped feeders to common bus lines under your bench work without a hassle.