Engine wiring size for decoders

[jawnt]

Hi!

I am about to bite the bullet and convert to DCC. My question ----

What size wire do I need to wire (splicing as well as replacing) decoders in my HO steam engines?

I am in the process of re motoring them now with low curent can motors --- so far the maximum current draw is less than 0.5 amp on DC.

Also, I need to know a source of highly flexable wire of the proper size.

I have a lot of 22 AWG stranded, but it is only 6 strands with stiff insulation and will probably be a problem in connections between engine and tender.

Thanks in advance for any suggestion you may offer!

John T. in the wet cow pasture

[rrinker]

 'Decoder wire' is usually #30 or smaller, and quite flexible. You can buy it from TCS, Digitrax, Litchfield, and many other places. I don;t usually buy any as I do enough installs that need only short wires and I save all the pieces I cut off.

                               --Randy

[jawnt]

Thanks Randy!

 John T

[cacole]

 Many types of decoders have the wire already soldered to them, or they include a wiring harness, so you don't need to purchase wire separately.  I prefer TCS T-1, NCE D13SRJ, or similar decoders that have the JST 9-pin header and separate wiring harness.

[jawnt]

Cacole, THANKS!

I ordered NEC D13SRs today ---- will see how this works out.

John T

[wholeman]

I second Cacole's suggestion.  For example, I had a decoder go bad.  The wiring harness is still in the loco.  The kept me from ripping all of the wires out in order to remove the bad decoder.

[rrinker]

 Probably too late for this order, but unless space is REALLY tight, get the D13SRJ instead of the D13SR. The SRJ has a 9-pin plug on the decoder so you can wire it in withthe decoder disconnected (and also quickly swap out a decoder if it goes bad), and, strange as it is, the SRJ with the EXTRA feature is cheaper than the SR. Otherwise the same decoder as far as motor drive and programming are concerned. They carry the same list price but there seems to be a greater discount offered on the SRJ.

                        --Randy

[MisterBeasley]

rrinker

I don;t usually buy any as I do enough installs that need only short wires and I save all the pieces I cut off.

Gee, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who saves these short pieces of wire.

Another tip - buy some small-diameter shrink-tubing for insulation.  When you're dealing with a bunch of these really small wires, you aren't going to be able to use electrical tape for insulation - it's too big, and it won't wrap around the very small wires well.  My LHS carries this stuff.

[jawnt]

THANKS to you all!

I may have spent most of the last 50 years chasin' electrons fer a livin', but ya'll are proof that an ole dawg can be taught new tricks! Again, THANKS!

John T. been out murderin' weeds in the cow pasture