I hope I can explain this so it can be understood. I will be running two main lines on my layout, the outside main line will be one continous loop around the layout. The inside mainline will have sidings for businesses, mining and maintenance. At no point will these two mainlines connect. My question is do I need to run two separate sets of buss wires for the two mainlines or can I attach the feeder wires to one set of buss wires. I have very limited knowledge of wiring layouts, I have been away from the hobby for over 20 years. I am operating HO using DCC. Thanks for any input you can give me.
One set of bus wires will work. Just make sure that both loop outer rails are connected to the same bus wire, and that both loop inner rails are connected to the other bus wire. Even though both of your loops are currently not connected you might want to do that some day, so no sense getting the wires swapped initially such that you will have a phase difference once a connection is made.
I agree with maxman that one set of bus wires will do. However, a short anywhere on the layout will bring everything to a halt. If you run two sets of bus wires, one set for each mainline, you could install a circuit breaker on each set of bus wires, creating two separate power districts. That way, if a short occurs in one power district, it will not bring traffic to a halt in the other power district.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi,
I agree with the previous posts and want to add something a bit off topic. You mentioned that the two mains will not be connected anywhere. I would urge you to put in a cross over or two, for that will greatly increase your operational fun and versatility.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Good point, mobilman44. Without crossovers, how do trains on the outer mainline reach the yards and sidings and spurs?
Two separate loops... Will you have two separate controls, or are we talking DCC here. DCC does not care, If it is two cabs on DC, then no you cannot share the wires.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Indeed you can get lots of good info on this forum as above. I also recommend a book is helpful...I liked the DCC Guide (version 1 is fine) above in the "SHOP" section. And there are good DCC websites such as the following one, but it may be so comprehensive at first until sorting out where to start.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/wirefordcc_toc.htm
Here's an example of a circuit breakers for multiple sub-sections, at $25 each. If your layout is small and simple you may not need that or could add them later if dual busses exist. Do test your track for DCC opeeration as you lay it; i.e., don't lay it all and then turn it on and try to figure out where a short may be.
http://tonystrains.com/product/dcc-onguard-og-cb/
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Buss is either a kiss or a brand of electrical fuses (not to be confused with fusees)
A Bus is a vehicle for transporting people, a Bus wire is a vehicle for transporting electricity.
Buses is the Plural of Bus, except on SubChat where Beese would be the plural of Bus. Each fourm has its unique lingo.
LION knows. The Great Great Great Great Grand Uncle of him (Webster) wrote the book!'
Offence you should not take, for the LION was only trying to be cute. Him is a cute LION. But how can ewe know if someone does knot tell ewe? LIONS like playing with their letters, moving them about and making puns with them. LION cannot make a pun if you do not leave him some bait.
But if you do leave bait, LION (or suragate TIGER) will try to pick up on it.
No offence indended.
How big is your layout? Like others, I'm in favor of dividing a layout into isolated power districts, each controlled by its own circuit breaker. Larger layouts with many locomotives might need boosters for such districts.
Even if you don't do this now, I'd still advise running a separate bus for the two sections, so if you decide later on to subdivide the layout it will be an easy job.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
woodmanI stand corrected that I spelled Bus wrong, now I see what new members don't hang around.
Every person still here, whether a week after registering or a decade, knows to expect to be informed that their terminology or facts are wrong in a few instances. I have received numerous corrections, sometimes a couple or three times for the same mistake because I'm no longer the fast learner I was 30 years ago.
Try not to take correction personally; it greatly restricts your exposure to useful information.
Hey wait, I see Woodman is from Horsham but Maxman, you're near me as well?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Hey wait, I see Woodman is from Horsham but Maxman, you're near me as well? --Randy
maxman rrinker Hey wait, I see Woodman is from Horsham but Maxman, you're near me as well? --Randy Yup. I think that time the piece of blue foam got away from you it ended up in my front yard. I'm about 2 miles from the Downingtown turnpike exit.
Parents of LION live in East Stroudsburg PA. Him will go there this summer.
BroadwayLionParents of LION live in East Stroudsburg PA. Him will go there this summer.
Time to change the track gage again.
I only used pink foam, so the blue wasn't mine.
Hey, since a bunch of you are close and Lion is coming to visit - maybe we could have a basement demolition party at my house and get the ugly stuff ripped down so I can get building. Cookout, adult beverages (plenty of options for those who don't partake), and a dip in the pool afterwards!
--Tom Sawyer, errrr, Randy
BillwizWoodman, if you have a chance to go to the train club in Phoenixville, do so. It is a great layout and the people are quite nice. I try to go each year.
rrinker I only used pink foam, so the blue wasn't mine. Hey, since a bunch of you are close and Lion is coming to visit - maybe we could have a basement demolition party at my house and get the ugly stuff ripped down so I can get building. Cookout, adult beverages (plenty of options for those who don't partake), and a dip in the pool afterwards! --Tom Sawyer, errrr, Randy
Billwiz rrinker I only used pink foam, so the blue wasn't mine. Hey, since a bunch of you are close and Lion is coming to visit - maybe we could have a basement demolition party at my house and get the ugly stuff ripped down so I can get building. Cookout, adult beverages (plenty of options for those who don't partake), and a dip in the pool afterwards! --Tom Sawyer, errrr, Randy only if we can whitewash your fence Tom!
only if we can whitewash your fence Tom!
Ah see that's the truly easy part - my fence is white vinyl, nothing to whitewash!
mobilman44 Hi, I agree with the previous posts and want to add something a bit off topic. You mentioned that the two mains will not be connected anywhere. I would urge you to put in a cross over or two, for that will greatly increase your operational fun and versatility.
Couldn't agree more with Mobilman and Rich - I have completed my DCC wiring but ignored advice to use circuit breakers/blocking off sections. So now when I have one short, the whole circus comes to a stop. On the crossovers; if you are running small switchers or locos with 2 axle trucks, invest in nice crossovers and avoid the ones with plastic frogs or you'll be dialing your speed up to 50 to coax it over the frogs. Just sayin'. Have fun!
I don't understand why dc wouldn't work with 2 separate busses (beese? Busseses? Crikey all the sudden I can't spell) but dcc would. Aside from planning purposes would it physically just not work? I can't wrap my head around this.
T e d
2 seperate buses would work fine with DC, with one power pack controlling one loop, and one controlling the other. As long as there is no connection between the two with track. It would be tricky to cross over from one to another with two independent power supplies, but it COULD be done. If thee is no connection at all - it will work just fine and there will be no issues. Heck this was the layout my grandfather had - 3 concentric ovals, 3 power packs. No turnouts. Outermost oval ran a Varney EMD switcher and cars, second oval ran the AT&T importaed Tri-And Stepehenson's Rocket set, and the inner oval had a Tyco trolley car.
There are even DC block control systems where each block has a power pack, or at least a rheostat and direction switch - instead of each block having toggles or rotary switches to connect one of several cabs to the block.
2 buses wouldn't work for DC? Hogwash!
tedtedderson I don't understand why dc wouldn't work with 2 separate busses (beese? Busseses? Crikey all the sudden I can't spell) but dcc would. Aside from planning purposes would it physically just not work? I can't wrap my head around this. T e d
Maxman-
Sometimes these conversations would be easier face to face over a beer. Next time we're at the bar, I'll buy...
Say I have 2 Christmas trees and each tree has a loop around it. Connected to my only dc power pack is a bus that is connected to the first loop then continues to the second loop. The tracks are not connected. In my goofy mind this would work although both locomotives would do the same thing, or close to it. Is this correct, or would something get upset with the electricity, burn down the house and ruin Christmas?
I run dcc and am not terribly familiar with dc and power blocks and such. I don't understand a time my Christmas tree scenario would be used- just trying to learn about our friend electricity.
I appreciate your input.
Edit: Randy, I got your next one too. Thanks for playing ball.
tedteddersonSometimes these conversations would be easier face to face over a beer. Next time we're at the bar, I'll buy... Say I have 2 Christmas trees and each tree has a loop around it. Connected to my only dc power pack is a bus that is connected to the first loop then continues to the second loop. The tracks are not connected. In my goofy mind this would work although both locomotives would do the same thing, or close to it. Is this correct, or would something get upset with the electricity, burn down the house and ruin Christmas?
I guess I over complicated things. What I was trying to describe with my two concentric loops is basically the same as your two xmas tree example, except instead of the loops being concentric they got separated to each run around a different tree.
If you connect your power pack to the first loop and then jumper from there to the second loop, the power pack will power both loops. Assuming identical locomotives on both loops, both locos will start and stop at the same time, and will run at the same speed. And when you change the direction switch on the power pack, both locos will change direction. If that is what you want to accomplish, then your single bus will work.
Now if you want to control the two locomotives independently, then a second power pack with its own bus will be required for the second loop, or xmas tree.
If the xmas trees drop their needles and you have a derailment that somehow throws a big arc and ignites them, maybe then the house burns down.