I'm setting up my LGB for outdoor use, but I'm concerned about the electrical power connection that is hooked up to the track. What should I do (if anything) to protect it from rain or snow, so I don't short out anything? The power pack is in a cabinet under the covered patio, so that should be ok. It's the wire connection that runs from it to the track I'm concerned about. All the track is out in the open - open to rain and snow (I'm in Northern Arizona). Any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
When I was running track power I put my wiring in buried PVC. Now I'm running battery power also in Northern AZ. I put my air lines in PVC that run my switches. Haven't had any problems with rain and snow other than snow plows dumping on my tracks and some frost heaves I take care of in the spring.
Rex
Hi You have not said where your base is im in the UK my track has been down 5yrs + and ive never had a problem with track power, my cables are in PVC under the patio but then out in the open the same cam be said for all the wiring to my turnouts and the lighting for my buildings. Hope this helps
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
My controls all sit in my enclosed back porch and the wires to the track just run out to the track in a few locations. None of it is in PVC or anything else. I just run it under the track so that it's not visible. It's been this way since 2004 and I've never had a problem. The only thing I would be concerned about is the insulation on the wire and the ultraviolet light. Some of the insulation is starting to look poor, but it's still holding up well. Probably a couple more years and the insulation will start falling apart. By then I might want to redo things anyway (after all, that will be about 10 years). By the way, I live in south west Michigan and get plenty of rain and snow. And I sometimes run trains in the rain and snow. More so in the snow. It's a lot of fun to push a plow around in the winter with a couple of locomotives.
Bob
It depend's on what type of wire you used. if it was plan lamp cord replace it it will not hold up outside, If it is direct buried ( outdoor low voltage lighting ) then it is good as is. any insulated wire in PVC will last almost forever. since I an rebuilding my RR I am going to use all lowvoltage wiring except for my switchs, that will be alarm wire ( already in place ).
Dave
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
My low voltage track wiring (Malibu 12 volt wire) has been in place for 10 years and I live in South eastern Massachusetts.
Switches were wired with telephone cable to epl drives.
Everything has been running for 10 years with rain, sleet, snow and even ice plus 100 degree days in the summer. Only issue is the telephone wire colors fade and the exposed insulation does harden.
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