BUS & FEEDER WIRES

[Anonymous]

[:D]HI MRXR FANS,
I have a question for you. I'm installing my bus and feeder wires on our layout,now do I install them ONLY under the mainline or do I install them under my sidings and all yard track [?] I would like to know, I'm working with "N" scale so what gauge of wire do I use?? I'm confused!!![:(]
Thanks for the Help, hope to see ya at our GATS here in Portland[:p] TrainsRMe

[howmus]

I am assuming you are wiring for DCC? If so, you should drop feeders from all track at no more than 6' intervals (assuming track sections are soldered together) or to each section of track (if not soldered). Again I'm assuming you are using flex track in 3' lengths. I run sub bus wiring from the main bus which is strung the length of the layout but is not necessarliy directly under the mainline which loops all over the place. The track feeders are then connected to the sub bus wiring at about 6' intervals. All siding and yard track need to be wired as well as the main lines for trouble free running.

The size of the wiring for the bus, sub bus, and track feeders is the subject of much arguing among hobbyists. I would suggest for N that you use #14 for the main bus runs, # 16 or 18 for the sub busses, and 22 to 24 for the track feeders. Try to keep feeders to the track short 6" to 12".

Allan Gartner's "Wiring for DCC" website is a great place to find more info on how to wire your pike. http://www.wiringfordcc.com/

This photo shows one terminal end of the main Buss (black and white) on my layout and two sub busses (Red and Yellow) pulling off it. Make up a wiring color code and stick to it and you will have few problems getting up and running your trains.



Have fun!

[hminky]

I have a web article on how I wired my small layout for DCC at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/wiring/

and wiring the control bus with common home improvement components at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/dcc/

Hope that helps someone
Harold

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the infomation, I will try that method. I will post an E-mail after I fini***he project.
Thanks again TrainsRMe

[Don Gibson]

IDEA of feeders is to supply uniform electrical power (and DCC infomation) throughout your layout. Discovered was, the benefit and improved reliabiliy of NOT relying on metal rail joiner's to do this.

Today's best advice is a feeder for every single piece of track.as joiner's are friction fit devices that become electricaly unreliable over time. That would include a 2" piece of rail as well as a tunout. Since most layout's are constructed with 36" sections amperage draw per piece of track is not critical in HO. Most new engines pull only 0.25 - 0.3 amps.

COPPER BUSS wire offset's voltage drop due to resistance in long runs of rail. i use 14 guage for a run of 27 feet.from the power pak. A $10 meter tells me this produces the same track voltage as at the source -within 0.01v.