What is the correct term for the "probe" part when control points are activated on a control panel using "stud & probe" and from where are they obtained?
Maurice C.
Peco make such probes, the PL17:
https://peco-uk.com/products/probe-for-operating-turnout-motors?variant=7435676418082
Jan
Probe is the correct term. As Jan says, Peco sell the probe and the studs with tag washers.
I used stud-and-probe on my layout back in the mid 80s. It works well enough but I did find I got the probe wire tangled with the hand-held controller cables. In the end I upgraded the controllers to 5 core cable and used the extra core to run the probe connection up and out of a jack plug fitted to the top of the controller, so I could do everything one-handed and no tangles :)
I still have the small stud-n-probe panel I made for my garden line
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/105/medium_5885-230121215727.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=105142)
I much prefer miniature push-buttons for operating points
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/83/medium_5885-271019121730.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=83272)
... or momentary centre-off toggle switches if I really need to save space on a busy panel
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/138/medium_5885-040124224253.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=138383)
The probe is correctly named "The Probe" ;)
While several suppliers will sell you an expensively priced, over engineered solution (such as the Peco item linked above, in reality almost any solid conducting item on the end of a wire will do the job just as effectively...
Use of a simple jack-plug is common, and I know of a layout with a rather neat home made solution consisting of those little biros you used to get in Argos and a brass nail..
Momentary push buttons for me over the past 25 years for DC operation.
I have a couple of the Peco ones lined up for use on my layout
Thanks all.
Maurice C.