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New to hobby, need help wiring Timesaver

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  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 8 posts
New to hobby, need help wiring Timesaver
Posted by piperroad on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 4:51 PM
As a start into the hobby I thought something basic would be best. I would like help with wiring a Timesaver or variant of same. We will be using an MRC Tech II LocoMotion 1500. None of the Timesaver websites had anything about wiring them. Do I need to connect more than one feed? Is a control other than the Tech II needed? Thanks for any help! William
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 6:41 AM
the timesaver is a small layout that you will probably be using only one locomotive so wiring for several blocks is not necessary. you could put a main buss under the layout and attach a pair of feeders to each siding and the passing tracks. the mrc pack should be ok for power. using ground throw mechanisms on the switches will eliminate that wiring task. you could also put insulated rail joiners on the passing tracks and sidings so if you make the timesaver a part of a bigger layout later you won't have to put them in then.
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Crosby, Texas
  • 3,660 posts
Posted by cwclark on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 7:18 AM
I have some basic wiring technique drawings I drew on microsoft word...if you send me an e-mail i'll be glad to send them to you in an attachment...Chuck

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 8 posts
Posted by piperroad on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 3:13 PM
Thank you both for your replies. They were very helpful. William
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Ft Wayne IN
  • 332 posts
Posted by BRJN on Friday, March 4, 2005 8:22 PM
I also am building a Timesaver as the beginning module for a future bigger layout.

If you look at the straight-line schematic of a Timesaver, it has three parallel lines. I intend to wire each line seperately, then connect them under the table as a single block. The power will be let in on each track wherever does not involve looking the wrong way down a turnout. (This may mean that I wire a track from each end and gap it in the middle.)

This way, when I eventually expand, I have only one track where I must unhook the wires and re-connect things.
Modeling 1900 (more or less)
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,236 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Friday, March 4, 2005 8:48 PM
Your best bet is to go out and buy a "wiring for dummies" book. Wiring is straight forward but there is the ocassional bump in the track. I took three years of electro in college so I have an upper hand. Yet those nasty Gremlins do get the best of me from time to time.

If you are DC. Go with DC Cab. i.e. block sections.

Electricity is not hard just trickey

Regards

Fergie

Save yourself time and grief
RTFN

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

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