Confusion reigns with wiring

[TomDiehl]

Well Lee, let's see if I can break down the basics to make them easy to understand.

1. Wiring the track is a simple complete circuit or "closed loop" of wiring. The power pack is the source, the locomotive is the load (motor) and the wiring and the rails connect the two. Locate the terminals on the power pack labeled "DC to Track" or something similar. One of these terminals from the power pack goes to one rail with a piece of wire and the other terminal goes to the other rail. Place a locomotive on the track and the pickup wheels and motor complete the circuit.

2. Cab control and buss feeder wiring are not different types of hookups.

A buss feeder is a larger gauge wire (thicker metal part of the wire) used to reduce the voltage drop, especially on long runs. Most modelers connect every section of track to a buss feeder so they don't depend on the rail joiners to carry the current. Over time, rail joiners will loosen up and lose contact, giving you dead spots or "brown outs" where the locomotive will run slower than other places on the layout. A good buss feeder system is recommended whether you choose to run with standard DC or the newer DCC.

Cab control is a standard DC system of wiring the control panel. A DPDT selector switch is mounted on the panel for each block, with the track connected to the center two terminals. Each pair of end terminals is connected to a different power pack so that each section of track may be controlled by one or the other power pack. If you have two separate loops, this will allow you to run two trains at a time, each controlled by its own power pack.

For the tool list above, I'd add a good wire stripper.

The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) has a good on-line resource for beginners, including wiring and electrical:

http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

If you have more specific questions, you can post them here.

[gandydancer19]

I know that the younger generations like searching the Internet to find the answers to things, but wiring is not one of these things that can be simplified by the Internet.  You should find a local hobby shop and get a good book on small layout wiring, or look on the MR site for one.  One reason for having a book, is while you are working, you may have a question.  So instead of stopping, powering up the computer and searching for the answer, if you had the book, you could just grab it and take it under the layout with you while you work.  Wiring always starts simple, but can get complicated later on.

[Texas Zepher]

kasskaboose

I still don't fully understand wiring a HO layout in DC.

Send me a note.  It is not a good plan to post your e-mail address in the forum.  Better to update your profile with your e-mail address and make it available or use the "private messages" (see the "contact" button on the upper right of each message). 

1. What's the difference between cab control and using a bus-feeder wiring scheme? 

Those are really two different things.  One can have cab control and a common bus feeder.  The cab control is how the power to the track is being controlled.  The bus-feeder is how the electricity is being transported to the track.    Generally people using DCC will utlize a bus because both wires (sides of the track) can be bussed, it saves wire, it is simple.  With DC in order to control multiple trains at least one wire (one side of the track) has to be broken and run throuh the block selector swtiches, so it doesn't make too much sense to bus it.  The track segments usually aren't long enough for more than a couple feeders.  If you are really going to use DC, then just forget the bus for the moment. 

Reconsider DCC it will be easier - and possibly even cheaper in the long run.  Calculate how much all that wire and block control switches are going to cost.

2.  What tools, etc. do I need to wire my 7x12' layout?

hard to say for certain without knowing more details but:
soldering iron
drill
wire cutters
hobby knife (Xacto type)
pen screw driver - 00 size flat blade

[kasskaboose]

I still don't fully understand wiring a HO layout in DC.  Can I communicate w/ someone via email to answer my questions.  I have Sperandeo's book on wiring, but have some questions.  Some of them include:

1. What's the difference between cab control and using a bus-feeder wiring scheme?  Why to use one over the other?

2.  What tools, etc. do I need to wire my 7x12' layout?

If anyone is willing to help, please answer these questions or better yet, email me at [e-mail].

 Best,

Lee