Pre-wiring of layout

[Buckeye Riveter]

Many of you know that I ripped out the wiring on my layout this past year and re-wired it because I did a make shift job in the first place. Wiring of the second phase of the layout has started and I thought you would want to see what is meant by “pre-wire”. Since just the framework is built, I drilled 5/8” dia. holes to string the wire. The tap splices have worked beyond my expectations and are very easy to install. (Don’t use them on your boat trailer because the road salt will corrode them. )



To wire a lighted accessory, I just drop two wires through the top and use the tap slices to hook to the yellow and black common wires. The red-black combination is the track power.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Buckeye...that looks very good. Are you using stranded or solid wire?
Your wire color coding will come in handy.
Chuck

[tdetmer]

Buckeye,

I will be doing some wiring soon and the tap splices look ideal for my needs. Where do you recommend getting them? I assume maybe a Home Depot or hardware store, or would Radio Shack be a better bet?

Tom

[tschmidt]

Buckeye,

Nice job on the wiring. Are you able to make sure you that the tap splices have made good contact? I prewired mine also and I can show you on Saturday when you are here. I wound up soldering my connections but for the future I may try your method. I found a great wire stripping tool that allows me to string all wire and tap into the mains without cutting it. It allowed me to connect everything without cutting any wires.

Tom S

[lionelsoni]

I used to run wires through holes (in the steel angle that I use); but, after a few experiences of removing or relocating members, I vowed to stop doing that. Now I fasten wires to the sides or bottoms of structural members.

[Anonymous]

Very similar to my method, Buckeye. When I ran out of places to drill holes I started using screw eyes, very easy to re locate. And yes color coding makes it all very easy...Tim