DC Track Power

[Anonymous]

Buster I am using the Tech 4 280 power pack by MRC. I have two main wires that run the entire length of my layout. They are 18ga wire, and I have wires 18ga solid wire running from them to the track every 2-3 feet and have no power supply problems. I can run the locomotives at a crawl or at high speed.

[mcouvillion]

Buster1379,

Is your layout large or 4x8? 18 - 20 g wire is OK for a small layout, but for something larger, use at least 14 g wire (stranded) and drop short 20 g feeders from the rails to the larger bus wire. You should not have any appreciable voltage drop until you get 100' or so away from the power source. Use suitcase connectors for quick connections of the feeder wires to the bus wire.

Mark C.

[Anonymous]

I run 18 to 20 ga. feeder wires about every 4ft on my H.O. scale layout. Most are only about 2ft long or maybe in a tight area a little longer. I use solid wire because it's easier to solder. Then I use a 14 ga. stranded wire for the main feeders. All the feeders are soldered to the main. For years I only used the small ga. stuff for everything. Then I met a good electrician that rewired my layout from one end to the other. No more slow engines or flat spots.

Larry

[Anonymous]

I am using MRC Tech 4 DC power packs and need to run multiple feeder wires to the tracks what is the best size wiring to use 18awg? What if it a longer run 10'+ use a higher gauge??