Wiring hints

[shagspastic]

I'm getting ready to start wiring my layout.  I'm pretty sure I won't have any problems but I just figured I'd ask for any advice one might have. Are there any things that I should avoid ? Does anyone have any tips or tricks they have discovered . I'm using a prodigy advanced 2 dcc system. I know it's a real general question but I just figured it would be dumb to start wiring without asking people that are way more experienced than I am .        Thanks

[nbrodar]

 Use a color code for the wires.  And stick to it!

Nick

[fwright]

shagspastic

I'm getting ready to start wiring my layout.  I'm pretty sure I won't have any problems but I just figured I'd ask for any advice one might have. Are there any things that I should avoid ? Does anyone have any tips or tricks they have discovered . I'm using a prodigy advanced 2 dcc system. I know it's a real general question but I just figured it would be dumb to start wiring without asking people that are way more experienced than I am .        Thanks

 

Are you interested in learning why wiring is done the way it is done?  Or do you just want to be given directions, and left alone?  If you choose the latter, who is going to trouble-shoot for you if/when (with when being more likely) something goes wrong?  It's not clear from your post what your knowledge level and situation (layout and operations plan) is.

In general, if you do not have a reasonable understanding of model railroad wiring, I strongly recommend purchasing a book on the subject - Sperando's Easy Model Railroad Wiring (http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-books-wiring-electronics.html) has a good balance between simplicity and complexity, and deals with both DC and DCC.

My second general recommendation is to spend the extra time and $$ to both color code and thoroughly document and label your wiring.  I can't say enough about doing it right the 1st time, because if you don't you will spend hours and hours doing it a second or third time.  Remind me to tell you sometime of how I personally confirmed the truth of this axiom despite being trained as an electrical engineer.

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W

[tomikawaTT]

Five - very general, and universal in application:

1. Install your wiring along the fascia line, so you can reach it without standing on your head under the table.
2. Make your key connections at a terminal strip or block - and label them.
3. Document EVERYTHING.
4. Make temporary test connections with those jumper wires that have an alligator clip on each end.  Any other form of attachment has a tendency to become permanent.
5. Keep it neat.  Bundle wires into cables - much safer for both you and the wiring.  Let the spiders build their own webs.

 

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[locoi1sa]

 2 very useful links.

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

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn2/DCC.htm

   Read and enjoy

       Pete

[Doc in CT]

locoi1sa

 2 very useful links.

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

 

I would suggest the Gartner's entire Wiring for DCC site.

[TomDiehl]

If you're looking for basics on wiring, or any facet of Model Railroading, I'd recommend looking at the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) website. Their beginners section has a great deal of good info for beginners and experienced modelers looking at new things.

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

 

[chatanuga]

As mentioned above, I would recommend color-coding your wires.  I also recommend labeling everything that you can.  I did that as I constructed my current layout, and there were no wiring mistakes or issues.

I'd also recommend doing any documentation on your wiring.  For me, I'm planning on going back and doing that (including wiring diagrams) for each section of my layout for future reference.  Will make troubleshooting and making changes easier, even though everything is already color-coded and labeled.

Kevin

[RailfanS]

I would recommend having a multimeter handy when doing wiring. They can be used for many different things, from finding dead spots to figuring out which wire in the control panel is connected to which rail on the layout. And you don't need a big expensive one ether, one with basic functions works fine. It made wiring my layout easier. 

My opinion, your choice,

Jamie