Comments on: Wiring The Track For The First Time https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time Model railroads and model trains Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:36:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Frank B https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56146 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:36:47 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56146 Very simply: electrical cable is better at conducting electricity than rails.   Rails have higher resistance.   Therefore, longer lengths of track without power connections result in trains slowing down, due to track resistance reducing the voltage to the loco..

]]> By: Chris https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56092 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 03:06:50 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56092 Waiting multiple spots is working well!! The less expensive dcc engines are having no problem anywhere but the broadway limited is struggling over many parts of the track. I never realized how much more challenging the triple wheeled engines were.

]]> By: Chris https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56047 Fri, 31 Dec 2021 14:17:57 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56047 In reply to Bob Rimm.

Thanks again everyone. Good information. I’ll be rewriting the layout today and will post results once completed. Even a video if that’s doable.

]]> By: David Stokes https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56036 Thu, 30 Dec 2021 21:19:08 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56036 In reply to Chris.

Chris, this is a hobby and experience will lead us to the optimum; there are no “supposed too’s” but lots of recommendations. Have a happy new year.

]]> By: Joseph J Poznik https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56005 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:02:12 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56005 In reply to jacques zanin.

Hi Jacques,
Just to clarify….Are you saying you provide power to the rails at 4 spots on your layout midway on each side? Do you run those wires to the transformer via a bus? What AWG do you use? Scale, O, HO, N?
Thanks much,
Joe

]]> By: Bob Rimm https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56004 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 15:42:12 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56004 The reason for voltage loss as you get further from the power connection is that the rails and the track clips oxidize over time and/or distance from where the power connects to the track. I use a rule that every track over a yard should have a power connection. Initially with new tracks the problem is not visible but after a period of months you will begin to see the oxidation on the track clips. If you use isolating track clips ever so many feet and connect a pair of wires to each section you will also reduce voltage loss over distance. You can use the same voltage source but make sure that you get the same rail connected with the same transformer terminal.

]]> By: Chris https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56003 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 13:57:06 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56003 Also yes I saw that you were supposed to use 14 gauge to the transformer and then a model railroad video mentioned using 18 gauge from the bus line. Thoughts? Also I’ve started soldering all the joints between the rails to try to keep the connection strong.

]]> By: Chris https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56002 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 13:38:34 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56002 Thanks everybody, this layout is 13 x 22 feet, And so far I’ve done it with only one power input, so it looks like I’m gonna try to add several more feeds from the main bus line. Any other advice is much appreciated.

]]> By: John Haughey https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-56001 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:55:16 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-56001 The longer the piece of track,means that there is more resistance in the length, therefore adding extra supply points shortens the length and cutting down the resistance. This is highlighted in airfield lighting when great distances mean greater resistance. This is overcome by step up transformers throughout the circuit.

]]> By: jacques zanin https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-55998 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:53:34 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-55998 it all depends on the amount of track you have i have a 12×16 layout and i have 4 main lines for current on all 4 sides and that seems to be enough power

]]> By: ROBERT SCHWORM https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-55997 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:32:16 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-55997 Hesitation is not the problem –
Perhaps the fish plates are not making good connection between sections, both track to track and at each end of a switch. Also you want to distribute the wire connections around so you do not have voltage drops from long runs of wire. For a 5 amp system the main bus must be at least AWG 14. 10 amps uses AWG 12. “Droppers are about 20-22 gage and soldered from your rail at some point down to a connection on the main bus lines – -about every 6 feet.
Note – this main bus is NOT A LOOP – but open so that there are 2 ends to it. This avoids signal reflection as the dcc signal comes from 2 different ends and can lead to confusing the decoder.

]]> By: Ronald Bergen https://blog.model-train-help.com/2021/12/wiring-the-track-for-the-first-time.html#comment-55995 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 08:15:19 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6387#comment-55995 The first layout I did I only had 1 point of power, had no end of problems.
The 2nd layout I wired every single track length and points, from a bus wire underneath, and have never had a problem, it guarantees a continual feed to the whole layout.

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