I did a google search for terminal strips and found several sites that have jumper connecters amozon had a speacial package for 26 bucks with 5- 12 slots , 5 jumper strips and 5-5 slot strips with jumpers and a supply of spade terninal clips
Hello All,
I too use terminal strips.
They power everything on my pike, from track power to turnout motors and the Auto Reversing unit on my wye.
Rather than using the solid spade connectors to link terminals I simply use a "drip loop" (or "pig-tail").
I take a length of wire and make a loop by wrapping it around my thumb and crimp on spade connectors.
When terminals that are not adjacent to each other need to be ganged together simply use a longer length of wire to make a bigger loop.
To fit between the spaces of the terminal blocks I simply make this loop oblong.
Coming from a background as an electrician, when wiring panels, the ability to trace circuits is paramount. I also make sure that the wiring color coding is followed throughout the circuit.
Not only do the loops look neat and tidy, if repairs are necessary you have built-in extra length so you only need to trim the damaged end and not replace the entire jumper.
As far as dealing with reverse loops there are many threads that deal with this subject, both with DC and DCC.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
woodone York, where did you find these connectors -look neat.
York,
where did you find these connectors -look neat.
Another online order, and now I can't find the site. Anyway, they are not expensive.
Be forewarned. Since I'm new at this, a mistake I made when I started was that they come in different sizes. The spade ends don't fit the terminal strips unless they are the same size. I went with the ones rated 22 - 16 AWG, #4 - 6 stud size.
Also, the bell wire I use is solid wire, not stranded. I don't know if these work on stranded wire.
I actually saw these used for a model railroad before I began my layout. I followed this article:
http://mrr.trains.com/how-to/get-started/2017/06/the-salt-lake-route-part-4---wiring-a-small-layout-for-dcc
York1 John
Mybuss gauge is 14 agw NOT 18 my bad sorry still trying to figure out how get sketch from phone to here
Home Depot has a pack of 75 for under $8.00.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-22-16-AWG-4-6-Stud-Size-Vinyl-Insulated-Spade-Terminals-Red-75-Pack-75-111/202522493
boston albany fanI like your tip thanks. Btw where do you get your spade connectors? I am using the same setup for my lights ect but can't seem to find small guage ones. I am running HO scale
I found the small spade connectors at our local Ace Hardware, but they had only 10 in a package for a couple of dollars. I then ordered online for quite a bit cheaper, even with shipping. I, too, use these for my lighting.
Lion in ND told me a hint after I spent hours on the floor under the table working overhead. I mounted the terminal strips on a board behind the fascia. When wiring needs to be done, I just unscrew the fascia and work facing the table.
It's too bad I didn't do that in the first place. I still have terminal strips mounted under the table, but I think I will slowly move everything to behind the fascia.
I think you would be better off with 14 ga for the bus.
https://dccwiki.com/Wire_Sizes_and_Spacing
I don't see an issue with the terminal strips. Those spade jumpers are on Ebay
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I like your tip thanks. Btw where do you get your spade connectors? I am using the same setup for my lights ect but can't seem to find small guage ones. I am running HO scale
yes I realize I would be creating a reverse loop. To compound my puzzzle,after crossing from east to west there will be a right hand turn out for the ladder system by ME. this is a single cross over leading to the turn into the ladder.
the layout is 16x22x12 with a 9x4 and 6x4 ft islands. I am using NCE power pro with 2 boosters. I will be using smaller guage wire for feeders.
when my grandson comes I will have him teach me how to get a sketch on line, ( us old people are not up on all this new technology stuff )
I use 20 gauge bell wire for my wiring.* I am in N Scale, never run more than 4 locomotives at the same time, use NCE for DCC, and use the bell wire for both the buss and the track connections.
I also use terminal strips for connections to distribute the power. I like them and they are cheap and easy to use. I have had no problems with power. My meter showed no drop in power before and after the strip.
I use these to connect all the screw connections on one strip together:
Someone told me a trick to use when wiring connections. My bell wire is red and white. I took an old rr car, put a red mark on one side and white mark on the other side, with a mark on the front. As long as the front was consistent, the colored markings helped me remember which color wire to make my soldered track connections.
*I live in a small town, and I can get miles of bell wire from a small local hardware store for next to free. Otherwise, it would entail a 50 mile drive to a store to buy other wire.
Good luck!
boston albany fanFirst I am wiring an open loop mainline ( eventualy a full circle ) so my mainline is going to be + - - + when the tracks are parallel to each other.
If I understand your design, you are creating a reversing loop, probably two. Is this a single crossover or a double crossover? A rough sketch would help. You need to follow the directions on posting photos. https://tinyurl.com/y4q8trde
18 gauge is way bigger than you need for feeders but it may not be big enough as a bus. How big will your layout be?
I am fairly new to dcc and I have 2 questions and need help First I am wiring an open loop mainline ( eventualy a full circle ) so my mainline is going to be + - - + when the tracks are parallel to each other. I want to place 2 walthers dcc compatible switches to create a cross over. Where do I place any gaps and power feeds?
Second I have what is called bell wiring cable ( 2-18 guage wire, twisted every inch or so inside a casing ) Can I use terminal strips to distribute my track feeds or would I loose too much signal?