Longest run on one transformer?

[AZ_Ron]

Hi Guys... new to the forums. We're doing up a billiard room and are wanting

to run our G-scale Bachman Loco and a few cars around the top walls/ceiling.

The run is about 80ft total. Is this run possible with one transformer?

I tried to find the info, but seemed like I was wading through a ton of stuff that

didn't have the answers I was looking for...

If you need more info, please let me know.

 

Thanks!

 

Ron 

[DennisB]

    Being indoors and having only 80 feet of track, one transformer will be plenty. Even a simple 1 amp throttle/transformer will do the job. Rgards, Dennis.

[altterrain]

questions-

what type of track?

how big a transformer?

what loco(s) will you be running?

In any case it may be a good idea to have two sets of feeder wires to the track. Also use a minimum of 18 gauge wire for the feeders though bigger is better.

-Brian 

[AZ_Ron]

I'm running a budget Bachman 4-6-0 and 3, maybe 4 cars.

Track is LGB.

I haven't bought the transformer yet... keeping an eye out and seeing what's what on ebay.

I wanted to get an idea of what I needed to do this. My wife and I would really like

to build a nice backyard layout, but that'll be a few years yet. There's a LOT

going on with 4 kids in the house at the moment!

I know the loco is bargain basement material, but a $500-$1000 Loco is not in the cards for several years to come, but Hey, ya gotta start somewhere!!

 Thanks for the comments guys... Forums are absolutely the cats 'butt'... Love them!!!

Ron

 

[altterrain]

Hi again Ron,

Of my dozen or so locos, only one was bought new. Most were bought on eBay and most of the rolling stock too. I have about 350 feet of track running on one transformer. You just need mutliple feeds.

If you are fairly comfortable working with electronics you can pick up one of these -

http://cgi.ebay.com/24V-DC-6A-145W-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply_W0QQitemZ230251103988QQihZ013QQcategoryZ58288QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

you just need a 3 way power cord from the home depot, a box to stick it in (I use a old tupperware container with vent holes drilled in it). It will give you 24v at 6 amps. Plenty to run a couple of locos on. The Aristo Ultima is a good starter choice too -

 

http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=255CRE55460!255

You will need a throttle to go with it. The AristoCraft 10 amp controller is a good choice -

 

http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=255CRE55401!255

or if the budget allows to you can get an Aristo 27mHz trackside receiver and transmitter for RC control -

http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=255CRE55470!255

Bridgewerks has a 3 amp starter pack that can do the job too -

http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=87310601!873

Picking up a volt/multi meter ($4 at HarborFreight) is a good idea too.

-Brian 

[imrnjr]

The bachmann big hauler is a 14v-16v machine maximum.... I know because I fried one of mine with a derail short out at about 21v.   So if you choose the 24v route be sure and keep the throttle backed down.

 If your only running the one train you have on 80' of track the power supply/controller that is provided with a Big Hauler set would probably work.  If it slows as it gets farther away from the supply,you can add a second power feed from the unit to the track  to eliminate the problem. 

If you think that over time you'll get different engines (read larger and or multiple) and or additional rolling stock for longer trains I would probably go with the Minimum 6 amp and 24v recommendation.  This would allow you to run a single high amp draw engine like the MTH deisels or a couple of lower draw smaller engines like Porter's, Rodgers, or Forneys.  

I use a BridgeWerks 1000DL, , which has a radio control throttle built in, but it is a little overkill for what you describe at 15 a and over $500.  MRC makes a solid 10a power supply/controller that is about $140 on most of the internet train shops.   My experience is that I always regret not going for the larger unit 'cause I continue to expand my roster of enginies, and rolling stock and .... well you get the idea 

Good luck with the train!

Mark

[altterrain]

The meanwell transformer is adjustable +/-3v and I set mine on the low end at 21 volts. I tested my Ultima and it puts out 25v . The 10 amp controller takes that voltage and only puts out 18v max. I'm not sure about the trackside TE but it may be the same.

 -Brian

[Anonymous]

Welcome Ron!

Toad

[vsmith]

My indoor layout is 10 x 20 - roughly about the same size, I use a standard 1amp LGB powerpack like comes in the starter sets, runs the whole layout just fine, only costs me about $10 on ebay.

[Anonymous]

Suggestion, from what amp trans to how far out we can go with what ga. wire.

1 amp to ?? just lione them up in a line.

Toad

[vsmith]

Well my "main bus" is stereo speaker wire, 18 ga,  and the individual track block wires are 22ga doorbell wire, remember this is all low voltage stuff here. Normal 120v household standards are  overkill for most layouts.

Now that said, this is only for setups using under 3 amps, anything larger and I'd stick to the higher standard stuff, especially if I was using a monster 20 amp pack. I'm indoors mind you, all my wiring is "buried" on the underside of my benchwork, outdoors will require something like the low voltage wiring used for outdoor walkway accent lighting, thats designed for outdoor and underground use.

[Great Western]

Hi Ron,

If finance is a large factor, which I guess it is this is the way I have gone.  Being retired and on a fixed, low income I found that my Aristo brass track of around 180ft was the largest individual expense.  Luckily I got it a couple of years ago before the increases.  

I have Two Bachmann 4-6-0 Annies, an Aristo RS3 and two AC Centre Cabs.  I have not fitted any additional sounds or remote control systems: I preferred to use that money on rolling stock.

I find that the small Aristo 1.8amp power unit is sufficient to run the locos that I have, even two at a time.  Keep away from the more amp hungry locos and you can have a low priced, simple set up. Later on, if money and circumstances permit you can always upgrade.

[AZ_Ron]

Thanks for all the opinions guys!! I find myself approaching 40 in a few months, and wonder how in the heck I ever made it through my teenage years without the internet!!! ;)

This loco will more than likely strictly be dedicated to running around the walls in my pool room.

I only have the loco and track at the moment. I don't have the original transformer

that came with it. If I can get away with a cheapy (Stock) transformer on 80ft, even

with a couple of feed lines, I think I'll go that way. I don't have any cars at all yet.

I'm thinking metal wheels as I really like the sound, plus they'll be cleaner on the track.

 

Are there any websites with articles on doing a wall/ceiling run??

 

Thanks!!

 Ron

[POWDIE]

This is just my opinion, I think a fair way to do it would be to use 6 inch shelf brackets, 32 inches apart on the walls with  1x6 mounted to support the track,I would extend it past the end of the shelf bracket leaving a gap between the wall and 1x6 to help keep dust from piling up. I would go with 8 foot sections and have the rail joiners on the ends, remove the factory joiners in a few spots, use rail clamps, this way you could take a section out, then disconnect the rest easily for an occasional cleaning, unless you want to do it in the air. I would look at the wall covering center for the wallpaper borders to maybe put a scenery runner behind. using larger shelf brackets, you could do a bridge off a corner, power wise, I am running close to 65 feet outdoors with a couple slight inclines, I am using the 1 amp LGB transformer and throttle that came with the set. Because of said inclines, and the addition of a sound unit, I want a larger power supply. If I could run it around and keep it level, my one amp has been moving it pretty well, although it is just a starter set, engine,tender, one car, caboose. Now, I feel the need, the need for more power, more cars, more, well, MORE,MORE,MORE......now if I had money................

[g. gage]

I agree with ALTTERAIN. I use an Aristo 10 amp ALTIMA on my 800' mainline loop. I've run two 15car trains using two F3's and two GP9's from USA plus a Aristo RDC all at the same time with no problems. My track is Aristo with several feeders.

[Mr_Ash]

I use an aristo basic train engineer with the powerpack and track connnections that came with one of my sets, works great, cheep, wireless and all you have to do is plug it in 

[SNOWSHOE]

I I only have about 60 ft of track with the 10 wheeler.  I am using the lgb 6 amp power supply with the outdoor throttle.  It works great.  I was glad I ended up with the LGB.  It should last me a long time and it will allow me to expaned when I my budget allows.

[piercedan]

A very inexpensive way is the Arsito orange colored basic Train Engineer (Basic TE) and a discarded power supply from a laptop computer.  Dell has 19 volt at 3 amps plus and these are perfect for our trains. 

 I use the laptop supplies with the old LGB 2 amp hut (green colored) and another with the Basic TE.

 

 

[Anonymous]

A very inexpensive way is the Arsito orange colored basic Train Engineer (Basic TE) and a discarded power supply from a laptop computer.  Dell has 19 volt at 3 amps plus and these are perfect for our trains. 

 I use the laptop supplies with the old LGB 2 amp hut (green colored) and another with the Basic TE.

 

 

Want pictures........computer uhuh!!!!

Toadster

[altterrain]

Laptop power supply - http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/PS-1637/16-VDC-3.75-AMP-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY/1.html

 

Basic TE - http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=255CRE55480!255

 

-Brian