Aristo Power hook up Question

[Anonymous]

A am a long way from even purchasing a power pack for my ourdoor activities but I am using AristoCraft track (yes, "F" screws and switches and all).

I see that the power is attached from the bottom by some type of "O" connector (please clue me in on its actual name).

Question...
What is the best way to hook these things up?

Additionally...
Is there corrosion involved witht hese wires and, must these wires be changed often?

I am open to any and all comments!

Thank you,

Capt Carrales

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Flyboy Capt.

The track connector set that Aristo sells is very lightweight wire indeed, I chose to use LGB connectors because they used a heavier wire.

If I were starting over again, or if I do any modifications to power supply, I'd go with really heavy wire from power pack and use split jaw clamps with the power connector attachment.

The other thing I did was to run 16ga wire under the trackwork within the base stone material and connect to track about every 50 feet. With main feeder wire under track, little chance of digging it up later on when planting things!

the floating Capt.

[bhewitt452]

I use Malibu low voltage lighting wire for all my outdoor hookups. It works great. It also is designed to be used outdoors. I solder all my connections to the track.
Bill Hewitt
Southpark & Dogbark GRR

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

Flyboy Capt.

The track connector set that Aristo sells is very lightweight wire indeed, I chose to use LGB connectors because they used a heavier wire.

If I were starting over again, or if I do any modifications to power supply, I'd go with really heavy wire from power pack and use split jaw clamps with the power connector attachment.

The other thing I did was to run 16ga wire under the trackwork within the base stone material and connect to track about every 50 feet. With main feeder wire under track, little chance of digging it up later on when planting things!

the floating Capt.

Dear Floating Capt,

Thank you for your quick response. If I my pry, what type of power supply do you use and about how large is your layout? I am going to need on that can power an acre's worth. I, of course, probably would lay an acre's worth, but i don't want to underpower my line.

In later posts did you say you were a Riverboat Captian. I once new a guy who was into that named Robert Shaw, we is also a Civil Air Patrol officer. I am wondering if, by some long chance, if you know him.

Well, off I go into the wild blue yonder...

Flyboy Capt...

[Marty Cozad]

Years ago in the track power days I used to buy that underground wire they use for sidewalk yard lights, buy a large roll and went a long ways. Capt, I know your tired of hear this, but figure your cost on wire, SS track, rail clamps ,power pack, RC unit to control the track power, track cleaning item of your choice. I could not afford track power any more after getting to big. And time.

[Tom The Brat]

I didn't catch if you were using Brass or Stainless.

I solder a fairly heavy gage wire to the bottom of a brass rail joiner. Takes a 100 watt or bigger iron (maybe a torch) and some resin flux.

I also took care of a switch with an intermittant connection by soldering wires to joiners. At the diverging end of the switch, I connected the right rail to the right rail and the left rail to the port rail. Lots of continutiy now.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Capt.,
I'm using Crest Elete mounted under house and plugged into an outlet that is switchable from my screen porch. Fused it where underground wires came up out of ground and before track connection.

Marty,
Understand what you're saying here pard!, have given some thought to going battery, but am not an electrical genius, am timid about my ability, and at the time I started all this didn't know anybody in the hobby. Now that I know Petka I got somebody nearby to pick up the phone to brainpick if need be! Currently in the fortunate position of going to the poorhouse with a loaf of bread under each arm, so conversion could well be in the future; however would still want to keep track power ability for when friends come over to run thier stuff!

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Oops, forgot parts of queries.
my layout about 45'wide x 85' long, raised 28 inches above ground by building retaining wall and bringing in over 30 loads of fill.

Using SS Aristo with 20' min curves --- 309 feet of mainline so far and about 45% of mainline done before lost construction season to heart fart. Lotta work this coming spring and summer!

[bman36]

Capt,
Used the landscape lighting wiring and soldered it to the track. Will be going to battery soon I figure. Still going to leave track power intact for those who don't have battery and want to run here. Later eh...Brian.

[Marty Cozad]

I hear ya on still having track power, but it was easier to help convert them to battery, plus if and when friends come over there is 3 to 6 trains running at a time. 98% of the time its just me here and if they want track power they can come wire everything.hehehe.
Its funny cause years ago I would have said just the opposite.

[bman36]

Marty,
For the size of my line I like the idea of both battery and track power. I'll bet with time battery will take over though. Then again who knows eh? Later eh...Brian.