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Wiring for dummies, Me.

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  • Member since
    December 2014
  • 12 posts
Wiring for dummies, Me.
Posted by brent_davies on Saturday, February 28, 2015 10:34 PM

i am going to start laying traxk hopefully, and i have to wire switches and powwe dormthe track. 

can anyone give me advice, pointers, or point me in the direction of where I can get helpful insight into wiring.

I am laying out an N scale set using Atlas track.  My proposes layout is below.

 

thanks for any help

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t454/Brentdavies/Layout%201_zpsjw0zkfox.jpg

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, March 1, 2015 10:46 AM

Loads of info in the link. Take your time. It can get complex depending on what you want.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track.htm

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, March 1, 2015 11:13 AM

Welcome aboard!  Welcome

I looked at the layout diagram in your signature link.  You have a reverse loop, so you will need to plan for that.

Are you using DC or DCC?  Although most wiring "best practices" are the same, there are some things which you need to consider for each.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, March 1, 2015 11:27 AM

Am I overlooking something?

It seems that once a train enters the lower loop, the only way out is to back up.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2014
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Posted by brent_davies on Sunday, March 1, 2015 12:02 PM

Rich,

I posted the layout in hopes the experts would point out these things that I might have overlooked.

I guess back to the drawing board to iron out the kinks

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Sunday, March 1, 2015 12:35 PM

richhotrain

Am I overlooking something?

It seems that once a train enters the lower loop, the only way out is to back up.

Rich

 

Rich,

We both may be missing somtin'....cause it looks that way to me too!

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 613 posts
Posted by UPinCT on Sunday, March 1, 2015 1:41 PM

Hi Brent,

As Rich and Frank have already mentioned, we might want to work on your track plan first. I think you will become frustrated with your layout very fast if you have to keep backing out of your lower loop.

I would suggest you start with giving us some dimensions and diagram of the space you have to work with so we can suggest some options for you.

As far as wiring best practices are concerned, we need a bit more info. Are you wiring for DC or DCC? Also what kind of switch machines are you wiring for?

 

 

Good luck, Derek

 

ED: Brent I noticed you have another thread opened in the layouts section.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/245006/2730048.aspx#2730048

Again answer some questions there because your track plan is far from ready to start building.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, March 1, 2015 2:52 PM

MisterBeasley
 You have a reverse loop, so you will need to plan for that.

There are actually two points close to one another where opposite polarities meet, making for an interesting gapping situation.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, March 1, 2015 2:52 PM

MisterBeasley
 You have a reverse loop, so you will need to plan for that.

There are actually two points close to one another where opposite polarities meet, making for an interesting gapping and wiring situation.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Sunday, March 1, 2015 6:26 PM

Welcome!

As mentioned by several others, some more track planning whould make your layout more pleasureable to operate.  Give us some of the dementions available.

As I look at your plan, I see a possible reach problem.  I don't do that much with N scale, but it looks to me like you may have some places with over a 30" reach, total distance of over 60" across.  Unless you are quite tall, with long arms, reaching further than 30" can be a problem as you will often bump scenery, trees and buildings.

As for doing wiring, our host has several good books available, as do Atlas and others.

Good luck,

Richard

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