Need advice on wiring tips and tricks

[Anonymous]

Hi, I've wired up my layout for blocks HalfFast :) using common rail and Atlas selectors and controllers. It works but it aint pretty. I want to wire it up right for Cab control now, but flip the switch and go to DCC at a later date. Today I went out and bought spools of 20 gauge blue and white wire to match my Kato Power drops. I also have several 8 position terminal strips and 2P2T Center off toggels for the blocks. My Question is this. My layout is a wall mounted 10 x 10 x 24" in an L configuration and is made of 2 corner modules and a corner module. So I want to plan for future moving and or expansion. I'm using Unitrack, but not the Unitrack connectors. Should I run wires from the power drops to a terminal strip on each module, then from the module to the control panel ? or to a terminal strip on the control panel ? I'm using regular terminal blocks for the power, and had intended to use crimp on spade connectors to the terminal blocks. I also thought about using the European terminal blocks for the smaller wires of unitrack turnouts, and just tinning them and inserting them in the screwholes. I'm looking at about 14 turnouts, double mains, and about 10-12 blocks total. Your feedback, experience and Sage advice please. Thanks, Dave

[cwclark]

it's a good thing that you are using terminal strips..i use them on everything...it makes the wiring more managable I use 4 - 8 pin microphone jacks..you can mount the male end to the fascia or under the table for one module and plug in the female end that is wired to the terminal strips on another module if you plan to move the layout...I have a question...are you using atlas under the table switch machines?...if so..you cannot use the DP/DT switches..atlas machines are "coil type" relays and the power must be turned on and turned off quickly so that you don't burn them up..that's why there is a momentary slide switch that controls them...if you upgrade to a motor driven turnout machine like a Tortoise then the DP/DT switches will work just fine because a Tortoise can have power on them all the time...the DP/DT switches will work for the blocks but if you're wired for common rail a DP/ST will work better...if you use the DP/DT then you'll only need to wire one side of it for common rail wiring...chuck

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going from common rail to Cab control. I've insulated both rails and will use the DPDT center off switches for the blocks. For my Kato Unitrack Turnouts I'll be using SPST Momentary Pushbuttons, and probably a capacitor discharge circuit. My main concern now is technique and the best protocol for running the actual wires from the rails to terminal blocks, to the control panel. I'd like to do it slow sure and right, this time. Right now it works as common rail, with Atlas controllers and selectors, but the wiring is a rats nest. I want good solid, logical wiring before I start permanently mounting down track and moving onto scenery. Dave

[SteelMonsters]

Wire management, I use nylon cable clamps. They range from 18/th of an inch to well over an inch. They are pretty cheap also. I like to use the same colored feeders just to be able to tell which rail is which under the layout and reverse loops have a different colors. They go immediatly to a small terminal strip. From the terminal strip to the block detectors in my case but control panel in your case, they are each in a twisted pair of wire. Each pair is unique using white or black twisted with any other color (red, blue, green, yellow, violet, orange) That will give you 12 unique pairs.

To make twisted pairs, take two stranded wires or equal length, tie one end off and clip it to something or have someone hold it. On the other end, take a power drill and chuck the wires in. Turn it untill it it tightens up a little bit, It will shorten up slightly. Don't get it really tight because that could damage the wires. Cut off the tied end and the part clasped by the chuck.

When wiring document everything. Wire colors, areas, blocks, and anything else. Documentation is the difference between 60 second troubleshooting and a headache..

[rrinker]

I'm going to assume that each electricla block is long enough that you have mroe than one track feeder for that block. What I say applies even if there is only 1 feed to a particular block, but it probably makes more sense with multiple feeds.
First of all, I would use more than #20 wire for the feeds. #20 is great for drops, but you are pushing it for future DCC operation. For N scale, and the size of your layout, #14 would be a better choice.
If a block extends past a module boundary: Run a bus wire under the track that is part of that block. At the module edge, terminate it at a terminal strip. Do the same on the other module, and then put a short jumper wire between the terminal blocks. This will allow you to separate the modules easily.
For lines back to the control panel: Terminate all lines back to the control panel at a common point ont he module, using a terminal strip. At the control panel, use a terminal strip between the edge of the panel and the actual controls. Jumpers between the terminal strips connect the control panel to the layout.

Always ALWAYS document - label each terminal strip with a unique identifier (TS1, TS2, etc) and create a wiring chart that describes the function of each connection on the terminal strip (ie: TS1-1 = Mine Track N rail TS1-2 = Mine track S rail). Believe me, you WILL forget at some time in the future, so writing it down as you go is critical.

The actual drops from the track can be soldered directly to the bus wires, there's no real reason to use terminal strips here.

I built my layout with modular sections, but it's only designed to come apart if I ever have to move. As such the track and scenery are continuous across the gaps, and I am not terminating my bus wires at the boundaries either. If I do have to take it apart and move, I will cut throughthe scenery and track, and tag and cut the wires (tip: TAG FIRST, then cut!). If and when I reassemble it, I would use terminal strips to connect the ends.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Ok, so I may be snowed in and able to work on the layout this weekend, so I have a few follow up questions. My layout is double main all the way around. Should I wire each loop, the inner nd the outer with a different color combo in the wire, or should each block be a different color combo. Please reply so I can go buy wire before the snow. Thanks, Dave