Wiring Questin

[tex702]

Hey guys it time for me to permanantely wire my layout.  I want an even flow of power around my track and I was told to get uner my table and run a main wire directly under the track.  From the main wire approximately every two feet I am to splice a wire from the main wire  and solder the other end to the track.  I am using O guage Gargraves track.  Is this correct?

[spankybird]

Every two feet is an over kill. Every 6 feet will do. This Buss line wiring will work fine for conventional or TMCC command control, BUT if you plan on DCS this is the wrong way to wire your layout. What is your future plans?

[Roger Bielen]

Agreeing with Spankbird, 6 ft. for power feeds are sufficient.  If you have two loops, try to keep the common buss wire, U, betwween the two tracks.  I've found that it is sometimes necessary to also run a common under a passing siding under some conditions.  It does not have to be a "home" run but can be spliced into the main buss.

If you haven't predrilled your benchwork framing for wiring I've found that #6 eye screws/bolts, apprx. 3/4" opening, with the eyes pried open a bit work fine as wire hangers under the layout.

[lionelsoni]

How big is your layout?  If you simply solder the rail joints, you will get little voltage drop for a loop of perhaps 50 feet.  The track itself is probably equivalent to about AWG 16, which means a net resistance of 50 milliohms to the farthest point, or 250 millivolts drop for a 5-ampere train, which is negligible.

You can improve on this a little by interconnecting at least the outside rails of multiple tracks where they come close together.

In any case, if you use a bus, use at least AWG 14.  You can put in the taps by trial and error:  If the train slows down anywhere, add a tap there.  If the taps are short, they can safely be AWG 16 or 18, which might be easier for you to work with.

("Bus" has only one "s".)

[phillyreading]

Don't forget that GarGraves track all three rails are electrically separated from each other, unlike Lionel 027 or 031 track where the outside rails share electrical connections. One other note about GarGraves switches most new GarGraves switches have the center rail power to both switch points, and one outside rail is electrically hooked up which means that you will have to power the outside rails after a GarGraves switch on at least one side on both switch points. One other thing about GarGraves track is that if your are running MTH scale locomotives make sure the track is level at the switch area.

GarGraves makes adapter pins for 027 & O gauge track that I know of, there may be other adapter pins but I am only familiar with 027 & O.  Just recently GarGraves also makes insulating pins for thier track.

DZ products(DZ don't sell to individuals) makes switch controls that can be used for GarGraves track but must be purchased from either GarGraves or Ross Custom switches.  I have found Ross Custom switches the easier company to order from.

Lee Fritz