I just finished laying my track and I am about to begin attaching my feeder wires, I am modeling in HO scale and DCC. My layout is the shape of a figure " E ". I have a double main line that switches over to each other in various locations, as the double main line goes around each of the three sections of the figure, " E " and also braches off into the three different sections of the " E", one section is a mining area, another section is a urban area and the third section is a combo of engine repair facilities and businesses. The back of the " E " is approx. 26' long and the three sections come out 13' and are 5' wide. Where do I put my feeder wires so I am not shorting other tracks out, also all my turnouts are manually controlled. I hope I explained this in a manner that you will understand. I appreciate any input on this situation.
woodman, a track diagram would help.
What is your concern about "shorting other tracks"?
Are there any reverse loops on your layout?
Rich
Alton Junction
If you are using power-routing turnouts, such as the Peco Code 83, you will probably have to isolate the track on a siding or between turnouts on a cross-over from one of the turnouts' diverging routes. When I do isolate one diverging route of two that afford access to the track between them, I always feed that track as well as the connected turnout's points end.
-Crandell
As the others have said a large portion of this question will depend on the type of turnouts that were used, and where the insulated rail joiners or gaps for them were placed. If you are using insulated frog turnouts then no insulated joiners or gaps should be needed.
I think as long as you did not cross the loop of track on each of the 3 branches of the E over to the back of the E there should not be any reversing loop issues. But also as the others have said there is no way of knowing without seeing an actual track diagram.
In general though (in assume mode), I think I would make my DCC bus also in an E shape. I would put the command station at the junction of the back of the E and the center bar, basically making 3 wires coming out of the DCC power unit. I would make each branch of the bus follow the curve of each section of the track on the three sections of the E. Put feeders about every 4 feet OR at the points end of each turnout of a crossover. (There is another issue concerning power districts depending on how many locos and operating scheme, but that is a whole nother discussion I'll just put on the parking lot for now)
Put in the bus(es) power it up to make certain it doesn't short. Attached one feeder and test. Attach the next feeder and test. This way if there is a problem you will know exactly which set of feeders is causing the problem.
This is also one reason (especially on a large layout) that I recommend wiring as one goes. Lay a section, wire it. That way if there is an electrical issue with the track it is known immediately.