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Best book about wiring a layout?

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  • Member since
    February 2021
  • 1,110 posts
Posted by crossthedog on Sunday, March 21, 2021 8:08 PM

I'm still reading these responses, by the way. Thanks all.

Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.

  • Member since
    March 2021
  • 8 posts
Posted by MarkTO on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 5:38 PM

Your observations on writing clarity are well put. I find the "experts" really hard to follow most times as they to skip over the most basic questions a newbee might ask and therefore it's often more like going down an understanding deficit rat-hole trying to make their topic leaps.

Poor and incomplete manufacture product documention are equally to be called out and have cost me no end of grief. like for instance, not explaining what electronic LEDS on model railroad electronic boards mean. I thought a red LED light was bad in worldly principle, but apparently not to model railroad electronics. The basic question "what are lights telling me" seems to be umportant To manufactures!

manufacture documentation contradictions pop up every. Does nobody proof read?

Still what a hobby and the hobbyists and family manufactures that step up to give us the tools to make our dream worlds become a reality are to be commended. I thank them for it. MARKTO. 

Tags: Wiring , books
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, April 1, 2021 6:11 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
Paul Mallery's Electrical Handbook vol 1 & 2, enough theory so you can advance, without boring you silly. Covers the basics, and starts you on the advanced path if you are interested.

I bought both of these books based on your description. 

While everything you said about them is absolutely true, I think they are a bit much for someone just wanting to learn basic DC wiring.

They are way beyond what the OP said he was looking for.

crossthedog
My question is which book about wiring a layout you would consider the EASIEST TO UNDERSTAND, like an idiot's guide. Not the most complete, not the one with the sweetest schematics, and not the one that goes into the most detail about outlying scenarios that I probably won't be pursuing... but the one you would consider most easy to grasp for someone electronically challenged but that still covers essentials for basic wiring of a DC layout.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, April 1, 2021 6:25 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL
Paul Mallery's Electrical Handbook vol 1 & 2, enough theory so you can advance, without boring you silly. Covers the basics, and starts you on the advanced path if you are interested.

 

I bought both of these books based on your description. 

While everything you said about them is absolutely true, I think they are a bit much for someone just wanting to learn basic DC wiring.

They are way beyond what the OP said he was looking for.

 

 
crossthedog
My question is which book about wiring a layout you would consider the EASIEST TO UNDERSTAND, like an idiot's guide. Not the most complete, not the one with the sweetest schematics, and not the one that goes into the most detail about outlying scenarios that I probably won't be pursuing... but the one you would consider most easy to grasp for someone electronically challenged but that still covers essentials for basic wiring of a DC layout.

 

-Kevin

 

Agreed, but that conversation was all over the map by the time I replied. I just think Mallery was one of the great thinkers in this hobby and his work does not get enough attention.

Sheldon

    

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