QUOTE: Originally posted by Kyle S. Hi everyone! I started to lay track and to wire my layout as I go along. I’ll be running DCC and will end up with 32 TO’s on my layout, if I live long enough… Turnouts: 32 turnouts will need to be wired to a control panel that I still have to build. The downside of this: I’m gonna need an awful lot of terminal barriers to do it this way. And they ain’t cheap either. But it would make for a nice, clean wiring, no? So, how do you do it? Thanks for your help!
QUOTE: Originally posted by Jacktal Your solution has its advantages indeed...neat looking being one.The other asset of this is easy connect/disconnect when troubleshooting or adding other functions,etc.BUT...it is expensive indeed.One popular way to do is simply solder the wires,which ensures good conductivity.The use of "suitcase" connectors is also a good way to do and reasonably priced.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Stevert If you're going to use DCC, why string up all that wire and stuff for turnouts? Just use stationary decoders instead, and something like the Team Digital SIC24 for your panel. http://www.teamdigital1.com/ Or, if you have an old PC laying around, use JMRI's PanelPro for your panel: http://jmri.sourceforge.net/apps/PanelPro/PanelPro.html (FWIW, this is the route that I took...) HTH, Steve
--David
QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103 Kyle: until you have the control panel, you could run the turnout control wires to a pair of screws on the side of the layout. Then a piece of wire connected to the power feed and you have local turnout control. A small diagram to keep it clear. You might find you prefer it to a control panel.
Marlon
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QUOTE: Originally posted by fwright An advantage of your terminal blocks - either screw or solder lugs - is that you can easily parallel your turnout controls to both a "local" panel or control switch and the main control panel - and one can be added much later than the other, or never at all. As long as your turnout uses momentary contacts - either toggle or push button - for control, you can set up multiple control locations for your turnouts to your heart's delight. Fred Wright
QUOTE: Originally posted by Jacktal Just a guess...you'll be using Peco TO's?In this case,I see frog powering as a precautionary measure,not a "has to be done" procedure.At the club we use Peco TO's and not a single one has powered frog,and we still have reliable operation.Peco TO's do fine at power routing and unless you expect harsh conditions for your layout that would prevent your TO's from being clean,I don't see this as a necessity.Don't understand me wrong,I don't feel power routing is bad...just unnecessary and time consuming,which you could use at other tasks.You will also need switching devices for this,like Tortoise motors or Snap relays (Atlas),which will increase costs quite fast.I suggest that you could plan this as a future upgrade,but it is indeed your layout and by all means do as you wish. At the club,the guys have removed the skin (about 1/2 in.) from the bus wires and twisted the feeder around them and soldered them together.It's efficient and cheap,although not looking as crafty as junction blocks.I never counted the TO's on our layout but there are indeed quite a few which,if they were linked by junction blocks,would have cost a fortune.
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QUOTE: Originally posted by Kyle S. Now, as far as the feeder bus goes; I can't see any other practical way than using terminal blocks to hock up all the power feeds I need with DCC. <snip>How do you guys connect your feeder drops to the bus?
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