I am currently wiring my layout for DCC, using a Digitrax system. I've been studying their owners manual and noticed the figure entitled "Programming Track With DCS100" on page 28. The drawing shows a "main layout" track and a siding for the "programming track". They show a connection for Rail A (top rail) and Rail B (bottom rail). Now on the program track the top rail is designated PROG B and the bottom rail is designated PROG B. Keeping the wire colors the same on all rails (black and red for me) is one of the main issues everyone stresses. This situation appears to be the opposite for the programming track in this drawing. Is the PROG A and PROG B differerent on the programming track? If Rail A is red, and Rail B is black on the main, what colors should the wires be for PROG A and PROG B, respectively?
Thank you.
Make 'em orange and green, or blue and yellow, or whatever colors you like.
In other words, the specific colors don't matter. What's important is that you are consistent when it comes to using a specific color/gauge for a specific purpose.
That diagram shows an isolated programming track that is NOT wired for use as a running track, so I'd use a different set of colors than you use for your TRKA and TRKB.
For example, my layout is divided into (basically) four power districts, and I use a different color combination for each: Yellow/Grey, Purple/Brown, Red/Green, and Black/White. Why did I pick those specific colors? Because that's what the local big-box store had in stock when it was time to buy it.
Oh, and document, document, document your wiring! I can't stress that enough. No matter what colors you use, document everything. It'll make life much easier if when you have to go back and troubleshoot or change anything.
Thanks Stevert. I wasn't sure if the colors to the prog track should be the same as the rest of the layout.
Also, when it comes to a DPDT toggle, would it be beneficial for some reason to use a "center-off" type? or does it not matter.I am planning right now on using 18AWG to go from the toggle to the appropriate track and booster. I have plenty of green and white colors in that gauge!
Al
We use a center off switch. And we connect the programming track to the layout physically with isolated rail joiners. Our programming track serves one of the engine houses. The other side of the center off switch is wired for running. That way we don't have any hands at work for programming, etc. Just drive onto prog track, switch the DPDT to prog and take care of business, then switch the DPDT back again and drive off or into engine house. We normally leave DPDT in off position, to train ourselves to pay attention to it.
Richard
Al,
A center-off toggle is definitely a better idea, because you don't ever want an electrical connection between the track outputs and the programming outputs. A center-off toggle will help prevent that from happening.
You may also want to consider using a 4PDT center-off toggle and wiring in a dead section. That can help prevent a loco or lighted car from bridging the gap between the running track and the program track. Some folks like this idea, some thing it's more trouble than it's worth. If you want more info on how it's done, look through Tom Stage's (tstage) old posts. He put up some diagrams a while back that do a really good job of illustrating how it's done.
I used the same color but labeled them under the layout .
NickyB