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DC wiring schematic: thoughts, red flags, etc.

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  • Member since
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DC wiring schematic: thoughts, red flags, etc.
Posted by kasskaboose on Saturday, January 7, 2017 2:21 PM

 

Someone was kind enough to make me this wiring schematic.  Before I start the process, can I pls get some more thoughts?  The below shows shows a DC wiring setup for a 7x13 point-to-point layout.  I love the simplicity, but not knowing a lot of wiring, I thought to get more eyes.  The schematic is not exact or to scale, which is fine so I can focus on electronics.  I love my DCC advocates but pls refrain from triyng to get me there now.

Since I already put down and ballasted the track, I can cut the tracks with the Atlas saw to isolated them.  Those areas appear with the orange ticks.  This creates a block system using common wiring. 

Wiring schematic

If image doesn't open, here's the URL (copy and paste):

http://s44.photobucket.com/user/leekass/media/lee%20kass%20scheme02c_zps1b1bhopx.jpg.html

My best,

Lee

  • Member since
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  • From: lavale, md
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Posted by gregc on Saturday, January 7, 2017 2:34 PM

 

 i think this is pretty conventional.   I think some good aspects are that the entire yard area is one block as well as the set of spurs for the grain and oil dealer, which helps keep the number of blocks to a minimum.

 

 

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, January 7, 2017 7:47 PM

 Looks reasonable. Classic Atlas components to keep the wiring simple. There appears to be enough blocks to actually run 2 trains at once, each doing their own thing and meeting at the passing siding. Shouldn;t be too hard to hook up, the diagram is pretty clear. Just run 1 wire at a time - from the feeder point back to the Atlas Selector, and hook it up. Test that section to make sure it works. Only then move on to the next block. Label the wires, too. It can be somethign as simple as writing on a piece of masking tape and wrapping it around the wire - one at the control panel end and one at the track feeder end. Maybe an extra in the middle if it's a longer run. Keep everything neat and organized and labeled, and again, run one wire at a time, step by step and it will be finished.

                              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by kasskaboose on Saturday, January 7, 2017 8:18 PM

Thanks all! Whew!

Randy: Would the ink on tape fade versus a label?  Great stuff about taking things slowly which is fantastic since I work full time with a young family, so time is limited to an hour at night.

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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, January 8, 2017 7:49 AM

kasskaboose
Would the ink on tape fade versus a label?

Botanists identify their specimens with a paper tag and a pencil. 
Doesn't fade for at least a century or two.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Sunday, January 8, 2017 8:53 AM

Out of curiosity are your switches power routing?

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

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Posted by kasskaboose on Sunday, January 8, 2017 1:48 PM

Don,

Thanks for your question.  I had to look up the term power routing in relation to Atlas turnouts.  The answer is 'no' according to this webpage:

http://www.dccwiki.com/Turnout

Best,

Lee

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Sunday, January 8, 2017 3:03 PM

kasskaboose

I had to look up the term power routing in relation to Atlas turnouts.  The answer is 'no' according to this webpage:

http://www.dccwiki.com/Turnout

 



Yep.  Power routing on Peco switches is useful for yard ops where you need two engines in the same yard (same circuit) but on different yard tracks.  One sits still because the power to that yard track is cut while the other can move.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

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