I am about to wire my layout and I was wondering what size bus wiring is needed and what size should the feeder wires be? I am going to hook the track to the Digitrax Zephyr and I need to know if you attach the wires from the Zephyr to the bus wire or directly to the track.
Any help would be great. Thanks Billy21
Bus is connected to the Zephyr. Track feeders get connected to the bus. Bus size will depend on the length of the bus wires. Many recommend 14awg wire for the bus but larger or smaller may work depending on its length. You will never cause problems if the bus is larger than needed.
Martin Myers
I highly recommend you check out this web site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/ It has a wealth of information on all things relating to wiring for DCC.
Billy,
It's really contingent on a number of things: Layout size, length of bus runs needed to power tracks, number of locomotives you want to run, etc. So, you need to answer those questions before any viable recommendations can be made.
With that said, I have a 4 x 8 layout and use 14ga for my bus wire and 20ga for my track feeders. I also use IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector or Suitcase Connector)'s as a 18ga transition between my 14ga bus wire and my terminal strips. My track feeders are then powered from a terminal strip.
With track feeders every 3' or so, the combination has worked very well for me. The terminal strips also make troubleshooting a lot easier.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Billy
Color code your bus wire like red and white. Place the red side to the A output terminal and the white to the B output terminal. If you can obtain the same color wire in 20 gauge please use. This will help in the future with and trouble shooting or if you wish to expand the layout in the future. I am a firm believer in soldering all connections, any other type of connnection can oxides and cause poor electrical connectios over time.
Ed
If you use IDC's(and I did for my entire layout), spend the money up front for a decent IDC crimper. The $15 ones may work, but you will spend at least $25 on up for a good one! I was tapping the main DCC power bus at the club two weeks ago and could not find the 'crimper' - I used a pair of channel locks - The IDC 'clicked', but the voltage was almost 2 volts too low. Someone found the club crimper and a good crimp to both IDC's resulted in perfect voltage readings. A solid crimp will result in the knife cutting into the wire, and a 'gas tight' connection. I use 3M #905 IDC's. They work great with #14 bus, and #20 'tap' for the feeders. Most home improvement stores will have #14 wire. The #20 is a little harder to find, and you might have to order it. You can buy the IDC's in bulk from places like www.Mouser.com .
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Jim,
Is the main bus solid or stranded?
Thanks,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I am also ready to wire my 2x4 and 2x6 DCC modules. Will I get by with 18 ga bus and 22 ga feeders? I also have the size suitcase connectors for them.
Larry
mobilman44 Jim, Is the main bus solid or stranded? Thanks, Mobilman44
I have used both stranded and solid core #14(the stranded is not 'off the shelf' stuff you find at a Home Improvement store). Most of our club layourt(27x27) is wired with solid core #14 or #12 we got from a local home builder.
For the #20, get stranded(you need something flexible for those feeders you are going to solder to the rail). A 3M #905 IDC will handle wire as big as #14 for the 'bus', and wire as small as #22 for the 'tap'.
See, I say exactly the opposite. Solid for the feeders - they don't move, and it's easier to solder a piece of solid wire to the track. Stranded for the heavier bus wire to make it easier to pull through the benchwork.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I tend to agree with Randy on solid vs. stranded. I solder all of my feeders to the the buss, and then brush with that liquid insulation stuff. I also find it easier to use solid wire for wiring and soldering panel switches, led's, etc.
Hal
I run 14 gauge bus in two colors to power distribution boards and run feeders off those.
Every wire under the layout has either a color pair or a written marker note nearby indicating what duty it does.
Feeders are 20 gauge up to several feet. No where on the layout is an engine more than 4 feet from a feeder rail.
At times Ive had 6 engines in motion with no apparent strain on the system, but not in DCC "Heavy Load" mode that will dramatically increase electrical consumption and load.
If the layout is a loop, "North pole" or inside rail is in the center of the loop. The outside rail is known as the south rail. There is a specific color attached to each of the rails to keep all the bus and feeders straight.
I happen to use stranded wire spun off in a few dozen feet at the Home Depot Store as I need them so far I have not have had any issues with them "Knock on wood"
ltiggis I am also ready to wire my 2x4 and 2x6 DCC modules. Will I get by with 18 ga bus and 22 ga feeders? I also have the size suitcase connectors for them. Larry
Undoubtedly. You could wire the whole thing with 22 gauge wire feeders as long as none of them were longer than about 3'. This, assuming you are running about 2-3 amps total. Once you try shoving 5 amps through 22 gauge wire longer than a few inches, though, you would get some warm wires. For the size of layout you describe, and the total draw that is probable on them, 18 gauge bus and 22 gauge feeders will have you nicely set up.
The information you have given me has been a great help.
Billy21
ltiggisI am also ready to wire my 2x4 and 2x6 DCC modules.
If they are stand alone 2x4 and 2x6, then I would question the need for any thing but two wires to the track. Do they have a loop on them? Even if they are hooked together for a max length of 10' if then two feeders are in the center of that (one on each side of the loop), the greatest distance from a feeder to a train on the track would be 5 feet.
P.S. I hate the suitcase connectors. Used them for one module and after I had to make the first major change I quickly decided never again.