wiring for bachmann dcc operation

[Anonymous]

I'm an experienced modeler that transitioned to scale railroads about 2 yrs ago. I built my bench and decided to use foam for scenery. The layout is now set, along with road-bed and I've decided to go with bachmann's low-cost dcc operating system. The electrical work is where I'm weak! I have a reversing loop and three interconnected tracks, but I'm not sure how to approach the power connections to the overall layout - watchouts, etc.

I'm looking for a sounding board as the books I've looked at really don't get down to the questions I have -

[pcarrell]

HI tjl63,

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place to get those questions answered. I ought to know, as wiring is also my weak point.

Lets see if I can't shed at least a little light.

Do you know if your turnouts have powered frogs or not? I ask because it does complicate the wiring slightly, but the operational stability it provides is well worth the extra effort. If you do have powered frogs you'll need to isolate them electrically. You can do that by using the plastic rail joiners made just for this, or if the rails are already laid, like yours, you can use a dremel tool with a cutoff disk (or similar implement of destruction) and simply cut gaps in both rails leading out of the frog. You can then cut some small pieces of styrene to fill these gaps and sand them smooth, that way your trains are happy and not banging over the gaps. You'll then need to wire the frog so that it flips polarity when the points are thrown. There are many ways of doing this, but let me give you a link to another thread that might help. this guy had some of the same questions that you do, so you should find it helpful. It's; http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33841 . If your turnouts are already isolated or are not powered (already have gaps from the factory) then you're good.

OK, that's the turnouts. Now lets look at the reversing loop.

There are several ways to do this. You will probably want to go with the easiest on you method. You can do it the old fashoned way and flip the polarity yourself, but most people into DCC automate it. Digitrax makes several devices for the purpose of switching the polarity, as do other manufacturers. I have a Digitrax part # AR-1 that can handle four areas in one unit. They have a single area unit, but I don't remember the part number right now. I'm sure somebody here can help, or if I think of it later I'll post it. Anyways, you just wire it up like the instructions say and then forget about it. It takes care of the rest and you just worry about cornfield meets.

Heres a link that you may want to bookmark. This site is a great place to get info on all things DCC. There is even a special turnouts section that you should probably read. It's; http://www.wiringfordcc.com/

I'm sure others will chime in with more detailed info and other ways of doing things. Thats part of the fun of this hobby, isn't it? There is never just one way to do something.

[tstage]

tjl63,

Indeed, [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]

Philip has given you good advice. tjl63, how big is your layout? Are you running HO or N? The reason I ask is that you can actually run your layout with the Bachmann E-Z Command with only two wires. However, with the reversing loop that does change things.

Bachmann does have a reversing loop module that is compatible with the E-Z Command. It was on the docket for release late last year, but I'm not sure if it is still out yet. One person on the forum said that he saw one at his LHS (local hobby store), but online retailers indicate that it's not yet released. I haven't checked recently though, so that may have changed. Anyhow, it should plug right into the I/O port in the back. There's also a 5-amp booster and turnout control module that is due out, as well.

tjl63, when you say "interconnected tracks", are you referring to sidings or spurs? I have a 4 x 8 layout with a small yard, servicing track, engine house, and crossing that I run entirely with my Bachmann...and the two wires. Ideally, you want to run what's called a buss wire around your layout with track feeders coming off of it to power your track. With that said, I've had no problems running 3 locomotives simultaneously with the E-Z Command.

tjl63, you've come to a good place to get info. Ask away and we'll do our best to help out. We're also in "training", too. [:)]

Tom