Basic Wiring

[peterpica]

I've an outdoor layout that's all battery/Locolink. I want to add power now and am looking for a basic wiring article (for beginners)... I had HO in the basement, and labored through every wiring challenge, but that was 25 years ago. Have forgotten just about everything and don't want to get into "electrical theory" at this stage of my life.

Just have 3 overlapping kidneys, 1 line, with single passing siding. I'd like to isolate the siding so I can keep a track power consist on it when running other track and or battery-powered equipment on the mainline.

????

Thanks in advance.

[altterrain]

 I have the very thing on my layout. It's fairly simple.

You need to isolate the same single rail at each end on each siding with insulating rail joiners or clamps (Aristos, Split Jaws, Hillmans, etc.). It does not matter which rail as long as its on the same side (both North sides, right sides, etc.).

Run a seperate power feed to each insulated rail.

Run those power feeds to a SPDT (single pole double throw switch). If you get a SPDT c/o (center off) switch that will give you the option of powering neither siding.

Run the appropriate power feed to the switch.

More at - http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring.html 

 

-Brian 

[peterpica]

thanks again Brian. I have yet to add my track, but all else is set to go. What kind of ballast did you use. Looks great in your pix.

 

I was planning on using crusher fines.

 

?

[altterrain]

 Its a mix of crusher fines (stone dust) and a coarser stone (about 1/4"-1/2", called # 7 drainage stone by my local place). Both are bluestone so they mix well.

When laying track, I like to use the coarser stone as a base, lay your track, heap on the stone dust and water it in well. 

-Brian 

[two tone]

Hi, You ont say how long your layout is,  on my layout I use LGB turnouts/points electric and and the end unit so that power only goes in direction of travel. It is easy to wire up and saves a lot of running round your layout.   I control my layout with the Train Engineer and its accesiores