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9 Pin Plug Removal Techniques

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nodcc4me:
One thing that has really annoyed me when installing, testing or changing LM's is the difficulty in removing 9 pin harness connectors from the modules without breaking wires or putting excess strain on the modules themselves. Has anyone come up with an easy way to grasp and remove these connectors?

William Brillinger:
That's a good question Al.

I like to get in here if I can on both sides and use a flat bladed screw driver to lever it open. That's not always possible.



When not possible, then I grasp all the wires and rock the plug to work it out.
It's a pain for sure.

I haven't broken a wire yet.

When I am ready to commit to lighting, I plan on hardwiring all of my units using a method that Lee Nicholas suggested to me.

Lee uses pieces of circuit board material as solder locations attached to his own styrene board. (Brilliant!!)


(Lee's Photo)

I want to place one of these on either side of the modules to allow them to be unsoldered and resoldered for easier removal. Then I can take the plugs out without them being connected to the locomotive.

I have ordered these boards to work with: https://www.ebay.com/itm/322837558899



Time will tell how this works out.

TwinStar:
Bill:

Can you explain the benefit of using the soldering board for lights?

nodcc4me:
"When not possible, then I grasp all the wires and rock the plug to work it out.
It's a pain for sure."

I have tried that many times with mixed success. You would think that grasping all the wires at the same time would put less strain on each individual wire, but on occasion I have managed to pull one wire out of the plug, rendering it useless.

I have also used the screwdriver in an attempt to pry one end at a time loose. As Bill stated, it doesn't always work.

I would like to try applying a small amount of WD40 or some other lubricant to the outside edges of the plug to make it easier to insert and remove if necessary. Has anyone tried that?

CPRail:
I use a fine pair of tweezers. I tuck in the tweezers between the module and the lip on the plug, and then rock the plug from either side. Haven't lost a wire yet.

I'm personally not fond of lights, I prefer MV Lenses. I have one unit so far with lights working, and I have to do some tweaking as the headlight is dimmer than the ditchlights.

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