Adding Track Feeders To Hard To Reach Sections

[Soo Line fan]

alloboard

I chose power Loc sections because I believe that they have the most secure connections

Alloboard,

Is this the steel sectional track that Life Like sells? If so, you would be wise to rethink using this type of track.

In the other thread, you mentioned Atlas snap switches. Are you mixing the 2 or is the power loc used in a certain area?

[richhotrain]

alloboard

     How can one add a track feeder to sections with HO power Loc tracks? I chose power Loc sections because I believe that they have the most secure connections. However, I need to add feeders to keep the power strong for my Digitrax PM42. After a certain distance the short circuit protection no longer kicks in. Short circuit districts are weaker than regular DC or DCC track power so you need more track feeders over shorter sections.

Add feeders to the rail joiners and forget about soldering.

Rich

[alloboard]

That's quite shameful for Power Lock. The other solution is to get get terminal sections of Power Loc track and add feeders to the power inputs.

[tstage]

Here's a great opportunity to brush up on your soldering skills...

[selector]

alloboard

   ... I chose power Loc sections because I believe that they have the most secure connections....

...and now you know, or ought to understand, that they are not the most secure connections.  If they were, your PM 42 would have no trouble detecting shorts across all those connections (assuming you have at least a couple feeder pairs spaced out across your 40' of main line tracks, or every 12' or so for other tracks).  It is why most of us know not to put much reliance on metal joiners between lengths of flex track; they simply are not that good at maintaining continuity.

In hard to reach places, or hidden places, just bare and bend the tips of 22 gauge single filament copper wire, string those ends up through tiny holes bored right beside the tracks, and solder the bared tips to the outside webs of the rails about every 8-10 feet or so.  Keep the feeder lengths under 24" if you can.  You can hide the soldered tips by painting them with an appropriate colour of craft paint, or your track/tie/ballast weathering compound...AFTER properly soldering them into place.

[alloboard]

     How can one add a track feeder to sections with HO power Loc tracks? I chose power Loc sections because I believe that they have the most secure connections. However, I need to add feeders to keep the power strong for my Digitrax PM42. After a certain distance the short circuit protection no longer kicks in. Short circuit districts are weaker than regular DC or DCC track power so you need more track feeders over shorter sections.