DCC Bus Wire

[Anonymous]

I have read many articles that encourage a bus wire under your DCC track, and then solder leads from the bus wire to the track in several locations (3-4 feet apart). The recommended wire size for a bus wire is about AWG 14 solid copper wire. Where in the world do you find such a thing ? Radio Shack has no such thing, and my local train stores have the standard 22-24 gauge wire. The wire is not to be stranded, but solid copper with only one strand--any ideas ?

Thanks.

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by floydthebarber

I have read many articles that encourage a bus wire under your DCC track, and then solder leads from the bus wire to the track in several locations (3-4 feet apart). The recommended wire size for a bus wire is about AWG 14 solid copper wire. Where in the world do you find such a thing ? Radio Shack has no such thing, and my local train stores have the standard 22-24 gauge wire. The wire is not to be stranded, but solid copper with only one strand--any ideas ?

Thanks.

Home depot, but use STRANDED for BUS and SOILID 22-24 AWG for feeders. That was told to me by the very wise men who post on this forum.
Take Care
George P.

[Anonymous]

If you wanted to use 14 gauge solid wire, I guess you could go to your local home improvement store and buy a roll of typical home electrical wire. It will have a third wire, which you won't need, but it's an idea. Personally, I used 14 gauge stranded wire for my bus. I really don't see that there would be ANY difference at all between solid and stranded wire of this use, and the stranded wire is a lot easier to work with ( bending and soldering ). But I have been known to be wrong ... [;)] [2c]

[JCasey]

Hi Floyd,

I have also found wire at Ace Hardware and True Value hardware at reasonable prices.
John

[Adelie]

The primary advantage to stranded bus wire in model railroad applications is just Kevin said-it is much easier to pull, bend and generally deal with. The reason many people like solid wire for feeders is it is easier to solder neatly to rails or rail joiners.

Just about any hardware store should have spools of 14 gauge wire. I've bought spools at Home Depot and Lowes. I think most will also sell the stuff by the foot.

[Anonymous]

Claycts is right. Home Depot, Lowe's or Menards should have what you need. I found mine at Depot.

Larry

[cacole]

I used stranded speaker wire from Wal-mart when I wired the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's 20x40 foot HO scale layout and we have never had any problems with voltage or signal losses, whether running on DC block or DCC control. 14 Gauge solid wire is overkill. I have a consist of 9 Proto 2000 GP9s that can run simultaneously with five or six other trains without overloading any of the wiring.

[claycts]

Depends on length of run for the bus, Voltage drop. I will be running 14awg stranded from 2 boosters, lenght for each is 50ft. 22awg solid every 3 feet for feeders.
After asking about this on and off for a year I feel that in my application this is the ticket.

[howmus]

I second the advise to use Romex house wire. I used #12 for the main bus. Why? I had about 80' of it laying around not being used for anything so I simply striped out the Black and White insulated wires and used it around the layout. Neccesary? NO! But it works just fine. I then used #16 stranded for my sub bus. Why? The auto parts store had #16 stranded in the colors I wanted very cheap. I use a sub bus to bring heavier wire very near to where I attach the track feeders. # 20 - 22 for the actual track feeders if they are short and #18 if they are more than 12". The choice to use solid or stranded is a matter of personal preference, either will do the job just fine. Some will say that #12 or #14 is overkill. Maybe, but those who have been using DCC for many more years than me and those who have those little degrees in electrical engineering and stuff like that recommend larger wiring under most circumstances. You might want to check out the recomendations at this site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/wirefordcc_toc.htm He seems to know something about it.... [;)]