wiring my switches

[thatboy37]

finally got up the energy to go to the train room and do a little work. well i got all the wires switched out for my switches and drilled the holes in the tabletop for the wires to run under. well i went through a five hundred foot roll of 22 gauge 4 strand wire and had to go to the store and get another man i didnt know this hobby was this complicated if i did i would have choose another but i'm knee deep in it and i might as well keep pushing forward. i tried to get the wires situated to wire the transfer table but to no prevail i dont know whether to wire it for conventional or tmcc so my plans for that has been pushed back a littleuntil i can find a better way to hook it up and get the wires ran for it. here are a few photos not that i did any major work but just to update you guys on my progress:

not much to show but its something hope you enjoy

[cheech]

reggie

Don't get discouraged. You appear to be making fantastic progress. You still have a long way to go! but when the first train goes around the track, it will all be worth it.

I have this accessory - transfer table - in fact two of them and one extension table. They are original PW, not the reissue type.  think about the extension item that makes the accessory  4 tracks wide - it is really neat in the yard location.

i don't think this item can be powered by TMCC, maybe the Modern version can, but I haven't gotten it to work with the AMC or ASC or SC1/2.  if you figure it out, put the info on the site.

Something i did that yo may want to think about with your size layout and room.....in my case, the trf table(s) are a long way away from where i am when i control the trains. so i extended the controller distance by using quick connects. These are pin type connectors just like the one on the switch controller that came with the accessory...they are available at HD, Lowes or Radio Shack...there's a male and female part that you connect by crimping to a run of wire that  is as long as you need. then put the male part into the trf table and the controller into the female connector.....voilla! a 16Guage extension cord that works the accessory from as far away as you need it to be.

TMCC has a lot of interesting components available that you may want to investigate to help on the wiring. Look into all of this stuff, sold by lionel and others.  I do not know much about FastTrack, but some of this equipment may help.  For example, there is an item that connects to the command base that allows you to create a Data Bus to run parallel with your Power Bus around the benchwork.  You connect your switches and accessories to it and the SC's.  Helps with long wire runs.  Also there's a device called an Acc Voltage Controller....helps in regulating the fixed power for the accessories from the powerful Xfms you have. Might save on bulbs....Accessories don't all come with 18v bulbs and they burn out pretty quickly.

ralph

 

 

[thatboy37]

thanks for the encouragment as i was laying the track and switches the only thing i could and that kept me going was the thought of me getting my first train up and running. you kow what its in the near future and i can smell it. yes the new transfer tables or should i say modern can be ran through tmcc it has an example of how to hook it up through/with the sc-2 in the owners manual if you want a copy of the instructions i can send or e-mail them to you. but thanks again and more photos will be coming in the near future.

[HopperSJ]

I'll echo two sentiments listed so far:

1- hang in there - the wiring can be daunting, frustrating and time consuming. I keep trying to remind myself that it is all part of the hobby. I could not have forseen how much I have learned about electrical wiring and components since begining in January. My layout is only a fraction the size of yours, but I am keeping it pretty complicated and sticking with conventional. TMCC would have made the wiring easier, but the opperation more complicated for my kids.

2- wow that's a lot of work (and wiring) - I laughed when you said you had to run out and pick up another roll of wire after running through 500 ft. I can't tell you the number of times I had to run out and buy more wire. The good news...after 6 months I know just were to go (and how far away it is) to get any electrical component I need. (Radio shack for some, auto parts store for others, HD for some, and for the really hard to find stuff an electrical specialty / connector store about 30 minutes away). As I said, I'm learning a lot! I'm also spending a whole lot more $ on wire than I ever thought I would!!!

Keep up the work and don't get frustrated when you need to take a few days/weeks off. You'll get back up there eventually...

[chuck]

Keep up the good work.  Biggest enemy/ally of any model railroading is time.  There's no "Layout Helper"/"Layout in a box"/"Just add water and watch it grow" products out there.   The time pressures are usually self imposed.  Kick back, take your time, enjoy doing what you're doing and don't fret too much over the next step or "getting it done".  I don't think we ever "get it done", there's always something to add/change.  I think it's supposed to be that way.

[luther_stanton]

The good news...after 6 months I know just were to go (and how far away it is) to get any electrical component I need. (Radio shack for some, auto parts store for others, HD for some, and for the really hard to find stuff an electrical specialty / connector store about 30 minutes away).

Isn't that the truth!  Lowe's - third isle to the right of the lumber section, half way down, next to the electrical tools.  The 16 gauge wire is on the top shelf, the 14 gauge is right below it.

[TexasEd]

Concentrate on getting one loop running.  Then play with it for a while and enjoy running trains.