Wiring for layout.

[Anonymous]

Since this is a thread on wiring i think i will ask this.

 

I just would like to know the name of a "wiring for dummies" book. I Just gonna be running a zw. I know there has to be a good picture book for ppl like me. My library didnt have anything on wiring. I hope this will be simple. right now i have all manual switches, dont have any accesories yet, but looking. Still havent figured out how i want to do my layout. I am building almost all my own buildings. just looking for some books to read with pictures...

 

thanks 

[chuck]

Your library has a lousy collection of books re toy trains (I just checked the on-line catalog).

This is what you are looking for:

http://www.bestwebbuys.com/Greenberg's_Wiring_Your_Lionel_Layout-ISBN_9780897782067.html?isrc=b-search 

[GBThomas]

I have a question on bus wiring.  In Peter Riddle's book, Wiring Your Lionel Layout, Volume 1, on page 33, Fig 6-1, he shows the ground wire going from the transformer making a loop similar to the track loop and returning to the transformer.  Thus making a complete circuit.  This makes sense to me but I believe I have seen other books that just show the ground just extending down the middle of the table with only one end connected to the transformer.

Which is correct?  Does it make any difference other than the amount of wire?

 I had to slow down my train work for a while but am back at it now.  Y'all have helped me in the past and I thank you for that.

George

[lionelsoni]

Either way works.  Connecting both ends makes the wire much more effective, since the point farthest away electrically from the transformer is only half as far and effectively fed from two wires in parallel; so any voltage drop is reduced by a factor of 4.

The British call this a "ring main" and use it in their house wiring; but it is forbidden here for safety reasons.  Those reasons don't apply for the toy-train situation, however; so wire away!

[GBThomas]

Thanks Bob for the information on the bus wiring.

Now to see if I can figure out how to wire TMCC for switches, sidings, uncoupler tracks and an Atlas Turn Table.  I don't have any TMCC locomotives, but might in the future.  For now I just want to simplify the wiring and avid building a control panel.