TRACK, & WIRING?

[trainmasterz]

To all the experts out there, (since Chief is probably on the road right now)

What kind of track do you use?  We have been using GarGraves Phantom 37" flex since they came out with it in 1993 in my neck of the woods (granted I live a sheltered life).  Is there anything better?  And yes the telephone wire from the 1980's has been working great, so far.  As far as connectinig the wire from the track to the transformer.  I'll take any suggestions.  Currently I solder the wire to the outside rail and the inside rail of each 37" segment and tie them all into one "main" lead that follows the path of the track around the underside of the platform for even power (in our minds).  What do you suggest?

[lionelsoni]

Use wire heavy enough for the maximum current that your transformer can put out.  14 AWG will handle 15 amperes and is easy to find.  The track itself, if well connected at the joints, is very roughly equivalent to about 16 AWG; so, if you have voltage-drop problems, you probably need at least 14 AWG for multiple feeders anyway.  However, with soldered joints, you should have tolerable voltage drop around a loop unless your layout is very large, since the loop feeds the farthest point from both ends.

[3railguy]

I like to put a blob of solder between the rail flanges of joints or a feeder every three joints with a buss wire like you are doing. Like others say, use at least 14AWG wires for the buss.

[trainmasterz]

Thanks for the responses,

So your saying that i dont have to worry about the blob of solder between the joints if i put a feeder on every 37" segment?