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Where to connect DCC to bus wire

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  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 42 posts
Where to connect DCC to bus wire
Posted by hawkhero on Sunday, November 17, 2013 5:32 AM

I am planning a shelf layout L shape. 14' by 8'. Do I connect my DCC to the end of the bus wire or can I go in the middle of the 14' section? 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, November 17, 2013 5:42 AM

For that small a layout, it doesn't matter as long as your bus wire is heavier gauge than that found in a telephone cord.  Unless you have a lot of insulated rail joints, the rail itself will also serve as a bus.

Assuming this will be a switching layout, you probably won't have more than two locomotives running at the same time, so current draw should be minimal, even for sound equipped locomotives.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 17, 2013 5:56 AM

hawkhero

I am planning a shelf layout L shape. 14' by 8'. Do I connect my DCC to the end of the bus wire or can I go in the middle of the 14' section? 

Either way will work fine.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 42 posts
Posted by hawkhero on Sunday, November 17, 2013 6:15 AM

What is the best way to connect the DCC to the bus wire in the middle of the layout? Can I use bus wire to terminal strips and then run bus wires left and right off of that?

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Sunday, November 17, 2013 6:22 AM

You can connect to the bus anywhere that is convenient.  You can use terminal strips to divide it into branches as long the branches don't connect back on each other at both ends.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 17, 2013 8:00 AM

Or join the wires in a wire connector.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, November 17, 2013 9:10 AM

Hawkhero,

Just my My 2 Cents  If you do not want to use terminal strips. Keep your Buss wires,solid,from one end to the other. If you want to tie in at the center, strip some insulation,from the Buss,solder the two leads from you power source. That way, should you need to remove,your power source, you only need to disconnect the two leads, that are connected to it.

Cheers, Drinks

Frank

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