HO, 9 X 14, DCC, planning on running 4-5 locos, max. I've not yet chosen my DCC system, although I don't think it matters for purposes of my question below.
I'm going to use terminal strips in my wiring plan: 22 AWG at the track soldered to an 18 AWG drop to the 14 AWG bus. I'm dropping feeders from every turnout and section of track.
I intend to solder bridge wires to the terminals as required for multiple drops. Would 22 AWG be OK for that, or should I step up to 18 AWG to incur less resistance?
TIA.
Rick Krall
For the very short runs involved in bridging terminals on a terminal strip, #22 wire is rated at seven amps! Also, the resistance would be negligible - you would require a VERY sensitive ohmmeter to detect it.
Others will probably recommend that you use something larger, on the theory that bigger is better. IMHO, the only thing bigger (aside from the wire size) is the PITA factor of installing the thicker, less-easily-handled wire.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - using LOTS of #22 wire)
tomikawaTTFor the very short runs involved in bridging terminals on a terminal strip, #22 wire is rated at seven amps! Also, the resistance would be negligible - you would require a VERY sensitive ohmmeter to detect it. Others will probably recommend that you use something larger, on the theory that bigger is better. IMHO, the only thing bigger (aside from the wire size) is the PITA factor of installing the thicker, less-easily-handled wire. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - using LOTS of #22 wire)
Well said, Chuck--Thanks!
Rick
What type of terminal strips are you talking about using that will require soldering? I use terminal stirps with screws and don't solder anything -- I use crimp on connectors.
Something liek this?
I prefer to solder on the crimp terminals, at least with heavier wire. First I crimp them on (with the proper tools - pliers are NOT the proper tool) and then I solder to make it permanent.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This is the type of terminal--or barrier--strip I'm talking about. Each two-position section is isolated from the others. I intend to use these to connect feeders to the bus, but to do so I have to bridge each section so the entire strip gets power. A bus strip would feature connected sections, but I haven't been able to find one. Hence my need to solder jumpers between the sections.
I'll attach the wires, both feeder and bus, with spade lugs I'll crimp and then solder to the wire ends.
I'm a beginner simply following my nose; if anyone has a better idea--I'm all ears!
The bus strips to jumper them I've seen at Home Depot, and any of the electronics suppliers like Mouser carry them. A trick to DIY is to take a piece of about #18 solid wire and strip all the insulation from it - a piece of #16 solid left over from home wiring woudl work just as well. Wrap one end adound the end screw terminal and screw it down. Pull it tight around the next screw terminal - loop it around - and so on down the line. Same effect as buying the specially made bus strips. And 'free' if you already ahve the wire.
rrinker The bus strips to jumper them I've seen at Home Depot, and any of the electronics suppliers like Mouser carry them. A trick to DIY is to take a piece of about #18 solid wire and strip all the insulation from it [snip]. Wrap one end adound the end screw terminal and [snip] so on down the line. Same effect as buying the specially made bus strips. And 'free' if you already ahve the wire. --Randy
The bus strips to jumper them I've seen at Home Depot, and any of the electronics suppliers like Mouser carry them. A trick to DIY is to take a piece of about #18 solid wire and strip all the insulation from it [snip]. Wrap one end adound the end screw terminal and [snip] so on down the line. Same effect as buying the specially made bus strips. And 'free' if you already ahve the wire.
Thanks, Randy. My goal is to do it myself to sharpen my soldering skills and save a few bucks.
Incidentally, I' ve had trouble finding single-row barrier strips; Cinch makes an extensive line (#176 series) but they're not generally stocked. I did find an 8-position strip (#TER-8S) at All Electronics and a neat 4-position strip at Alltronics (#72-1-04) that looks pretty good to me ($.49 each). I'll post it here in case anyone else is interested: