8 pin slide on connector for Tortoise switch machine

[steveturner]

Guys is there a less expensive adaptor as in those blue ones that fit onto Tortoise switch machines.They seem pretty pricey. Any suggestions please or where do you get yours from?.Thanks .Steve

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

Careful what you buy, some connectors being sold out there fit the Tortouse, BUT...they can be dislodged from the correct alignment and cause all sorts of trouble, due to them being ~2 pins too wide.

I’m not saying that Tony’s are like that, just that there are some “out there” like that. Reading the linked page they are made correctly to match.

[steveturner]

Many have tobe shimed on edge even the sullins. A few DCC outlets selling special ones but pricey. I shimed the last I got many years ago. I don't mind the shiming, they are a tight fit and in most cases will not move but I just shim with styrene.I think I might try these. Similar to the ones in my other post.

www.aliexpress.com/store/product/10pcs-Lot-805-Card-Edge-Connector-3-96mm-Pitch-2x8-Row-16-Pin-PCB-Slot-Solder/1390139_32329428589.html

[ncrc5315]

These work well:
acculites.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=188&zenid=t9r20akd6eomqpmbhkh2r8t7e4

[Paul Cutler III]

Why even buy them in the first place? My club's been using literally hundreds of Tortoises for over 15 years, and the number of ones we've ever had to replace have been minimal at best (mostly due to the internal DPDT switch not making good contact due to corrosion).

We just solder on a length of 8-conductor round cable at the work bench, install the Tortoise, then bring the cable to a 8-pole terminal strip that's screwed to the layout. This means that the Tortoises can be replaced if needed (without getting out a soldering iron), they can be tested (using probes on the terminal strip), the terminal strip acts as a strain relief (no worries if someone yanks on a cable), and they are pretty cheap compared to the edge connectors.