I am using a sound activation button with my RW transformer to run train and rail sounds. All along in the forum, I see everyone saying to use 16 gauge wire for track power to lock-ons. Well looking at the sound activation button it sure does not have 16 gauge wire to it or from it. Looks like maybe 18 at best but more like 20.
I am going to feed spurs in the switchyard and pull offs on the sides of the loops with toggle switches ( 10 in all ) to power up the center rail when I need to use them. They will be insolated when not in use with fiber pins. The plan was to the feed center rail power to the one side of the switch then flip the power on or off to provide or cut power to the center rail when needed for parking or movement. I will also have about 4 lock-ons on the main loop for normal operation.
The directions for the button say all track power needs to go through the sound activation button. So I will need to power the bus bar that will feed the track and all of the toggles from the wire coming out of the button. If I go to a bus bar this would allow the shortest run for the small wire coming out of the button.
Question is will the wire size on the sound activation button be a problem? Will the button handle it if say I run two trains at once on the same track or use dual motor engines. How much power can you put through the button without melting it or the wire?
As always thanks in advance.
Kevin
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
It should be fine. Unless you are trying to run a lot of current through the switch, it's not an issue. I often wondered about that myself, but I've never seen one even get the wires warm.
If you're so inclined, you could shorten the wires and splice heavier wires to it, but it's really not necessary.
Thank you John,
Good to know I am not the only one wondered about that. I figure if I keep it close to the transformer and a very short run that will reduce any long run current draw.
Tks,
The question has come up more than once.
FWIW, the 8251-50 has 22 gauge wire, I'm guessing that 6-5906 is similar. #22 wire has 0.0162 ohms per foot, so if the switch has two feet of wire, the voltage drop at 10 amps would be 0.324, probably not enough to be that concerned about.
John,
Good !! One more thing off of the plate. Consider me un-concerned on this one.
I am just trying to cover as many bases as I can before I take the track back off to install the ground cover. So the more stuff I work out now and understand the less chance of having to re-do extraterrestrial mystery stuff later.
Thanks for all of your help.
The Lionel service manual says that the RW circuit breaker is set for 5.5 to 6 amperes. Twenty AWG is safe for 5 amperes, 22 AWG for about 4 amperes.
Putting the whistle controller closer to the transformer will not make any difference in the current passing through it.
Bob Nelson
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