I bought some #22 solid wire for my feeders. Some will be 18 inches long to reach the #14 buss wires. Only one loco at a time. I am not sure of the current draw of, say, a BLY Mikado so I can't figure out the IR drop.
It is an NCE power pro 5 amp system and the longest distance from the cab to the end of the layout is 14 feet.
Is the feeders too long?
73
Bruce in the Peg
Your 22 AWG soild wire is OK with the length you will have. I use 20 AWG stranded wire for my feeders and that is for N gauge.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
I power trains with two, three or four amp-hog open-frame motors through #22 wire feeders. Most of mine are a bit longer than 18 inches - the longest is more like 18 feet.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I had several feeders near 36" long on my last layout, and most on the new one are in the 20-26" range. They are rarely more than 7' between them. I don't have any problems, and neither should you, Bruce. Even with five or seven hard-working sound-equipped locos at once, as long as your feeders are well attached on each end, not more than about 3' long...ish...and aren't spaced out with ridiculous lengths of rails between them, say in the 10 foot range, you will be just fine with the 22 gauge feeders.
-Crandell
Bruce,
I have an NCE Ph-Pro 5 amp system as well. I use #14 AWG solid copper wire for my buss wires. The buss wires run approximately 80 feet in each direction on what is essentially a double mainline continuous loop layout. I use #22 stranded copper wire for feeders. The length of the feeders is anywhere from 12 inches to 18" with an occasional 24" length. I do solder the rail joiners on curves, and I drop feeders from every end of every turnout. I have feeders placed at about every 6 feet of track. You should be fine with what you intend to do.
Rich
Alton Junction