Help with simple block wiring.

[hrin]

 OK, first of all it will run conventional NO TMCC OR DCS. If I did go to one it would be TMCC. I understand and was fully ready to wire a buss/feeder wire system to the Fastrack. But now we want to use 4 blocks. Should I use more of a star pattern wiring since I want to use blocks? Or should we do the buss/feeder wiring with only 4 feeders, then cut the hot middle rail wire to the track and wire in the toggle switch to the control panel?

The concept Im having trouble with is when we were going to do the buss/feeders I would have run more feeders like 8 cause the train of course slows and stops at one end of the somewhat smallish layout. So we would like good constant power but now with 4 blocks.

Guess it will be OK its just when you think of the buss/feeder wiring Im thinking more is better, now with the blocks it seems there will be less feeders but with more wiring which could still drop the power on the farthest side. Are my concerns valid or should I just get on with it already. Thanks.

[lionelsoni]

There is no reason why you can't make more than one feeder connection per block if you need to.  And you can wire from the control panel to the closest connection, then on to the next, etc.  Leave all the outside rails connected and feed them however is simplest in geometry.  If any tracks come close together, connect the outside rails between tracks to reduce voltage drop further.

I recommend using 14 AWG or heavier.  That is safe for even a 15-ampere transformer like a ZW or Z and low enough in resistance to significantly reduce voltage drop.

Where the feeder connects to the track, you can use a smaller wire if you have to, but only a few inches.  Then connect it to the feeder wire(s), for example with a wire nut.  This helps when using lockons or if you solder, since you can easily remove a section for maintenance.

[hrin]

 Thanks kindly for the response.

Never learned this stuff from just Christmas layouts. Looks like I will need to order some more wire. Good ideas for connecting the outside rails and the drops from the track for maintenance. 

[lionelsoni]

You're welcome.

You can get suitable wire, 14, 12, and 10 AWG, solid or stranded at any home-improvement store, like Lowes or Home Depot.  Look for "building wire".  Stranded is easier to use and electrically exactly equivalent to solid.