Wiring Gauge for Lionel with ZW transformer for accessories..

[lionelsoni]

I agree that you should not need extra feeders with such a small layout; but, if you do add them, tapping into a bus under the track is just fine.

[willpick]

Chris, I actually like the second one over the first. You eliminated the "S" curves after the switches. If you do the bottom passing siding like you did the top, i'd be happier-- you won't be having deralments due to the s curve. Don't worry too much at this point about not being able to run CCW/CW --- the only way to do both would be to have an "X" crossover in the middle of the layout, and this would limit your areas for buildings and operating accessories.

As to using a buss wiring scheme, on a 4x8 it's not really needed. I'm assuming the ZW and the switch controllers will be at one end where there are no buildings--- So I'd place one lockon between the two switches on the outer oval, and one between the other two switches on the outer oval(firthest spot from the ZW) then one on each side of the inner oval,right in the middle. This should be sufficent.

To connect to the ZW, I would buy some wire nuts that can connect the 4 14 ga. wires to a 12" pigtail that would go on the ZW binding posts. The wire nuts are color coded-- the one you would need would be red,  for the controller cables andacessory wires, the gray ones should work. They usually are sold in quanties of 25 per bag.

 

hope this helps!

[Chris77504]

I do have enough switches and track to do this layout which would allow to get back to CCW

[Chris77504]

First,

Can I just run a power drop all the way around the layout underneath and tap into that power where I need to for each lockon?

To answer your question about getting it running back CCW, this is a work i progress and I have to buy more switches for that and I do not have enough just yet.  So this design I got from the web that can be expanded to get it done (eventually).

Just trying to get something up and running for my 4 year old to play with.

[Taranwanderer]

I think I'd put a power drop (lockon) on each end and one on the dead-end spur in the center, unless you wanted that spur to have a power supply that you can turn on and off separately (like to park a second train or something.) Then I'd put the third drop on either side of that switch right in the middle of the plan. I think that would cover you. BTW, that's a nice little plan, but what happens if your train is running counterclockwise, you send it through the center crossover and right over to the other side, and now it's running clockwise. There's no way to get it back running CCW without backing it back through that center section. Just wondering. Good luck!

[Chris77504]

This is the layout I am putting together.  How many lockons and where do you think I should put them to provide adequate power down the entire track.  As well as can I tap into a main bus wires that I run down and around the layout.?

 

 

[Chris77504]

antoher question.  Do I hook the wires up on the lockon to the same post of the ZW transformer?  I am pretty sure I can do that, or should I run a set of wires all the way around the 4'x8 underneath and just tap into that with each lockon?

[willpick]

The track switches controller wires are 22 gauge. So I'd use 20 gauge stranded to extend the length if needed. Most operating accessories i'd use 20 gauge,too. 18 is a bit overkill, but it's ok. For the main loop(or loops) i'd use a minimum of 2 lockons, for a 4x8, 3 should be fine. If you have isolated sidings(store engines, etc.), you'll need a lockon on them.

 

HTH----

[Chris77504]

I have an Lionel ZW transformer and I know I need 14 gauge going to the track, but what about the wiring that controls the remote track switches, accessories such as lights, etc...  Currently they are 18 guage, do I need to rewire them to 14 gauge?

 Also,

I have a 4'x8' layout with O27 track, 11 remote switches.  How many lockons should I hookup to the transformer to ensure I have ample amount of power to power the entire track and accessories?