Track Feeders for Bachman EZ Track

[123mike]

Thanks again for all those who responded to my earlier questions about boosters and feeder wiring for my layout.  I learned a lot and I'm considering things not earlier thought of (including safety issues).  One respondent noted that I might be fine with just the single terminal connection on my layout. Someone also shared that they can run two trains and have two idling on their layout which is similar to mine.  Honestly, two trains do run just fine on my 4x8 layout....but I do have future plans that I'll try to explain below. I'll appreciate any feedback that can be given/shared.

First of all, let me restate the layout I have.  This is the Bachman Digital Commander starter set with a track expansion pack which fills a 4x8 table. The track is Bachman's all in one track called EZ Track. There is a passing lane and two spurs.  I have the Bachman EZ Commander which is a combo command station and throttle.  A single miniplug, from the command station, connects a flat plug to one single piece of terminal track. This is the only feed to the track.  I do not know the gauge of this wire that ends in the flat plug.  It looks quite small and I'd guess maybe 22 gauge.

So, why do I still want to have feeder wires (and maybe later a booster)? (1) I have plans to expand the layout and have one turnout/spur positioned for future exapansion. (2)I have interest in two locomotives with A-B units and sound equipped.  This will effectively put six locos on the track.....two non-sound equipped....and four with sound (two A-B units). (3)I want to learn about wiring, soldering, and suitcase connectors and this seems to be a good time to start.

I have the Mike Polsgrove (sp) book on DCC wiring.  It's for the beginner; yet I have unanswered questions.  I have a basic idea about how I should have a positive bus wire and a negative bus wire running around the bottom of the train table.  I have a basic idea as to how there should be a feeder wire off the bus wire(s) at intervals to feed more energy reliably to the track; understanding that the bus wires should be heavier (maybe 14 gauge). I have a basic understanding of how the suitcase connectors would work; yet I've never seen one. I have watched numerous You Tubes of how all this is done and some have been really good in showing how the feeder wire should be soldered to the rails. In my application, the feeder wires would not have to be soldered to the rails.  I have three terminal tracks that could receive the feeder wires. I know this isn't the best way as far as the aesthetics would go; but I think it might be best unless other better ideas can be shared.  Here are my questions:

(1)The single power wire to the track is that miniplug at the command station to the flat plug that's plugged into the track .  Small gauge wire.  I guess there are two wires inside that sheathing that makes it look like one wire.  How do I start....?  Attempt to wire a new miniplug with heavier wire?  Solder the single feeder wire so that two wires go to the two bus lines and two wires go back to the terminal track via that flat plug?  (2)If I tear up that single wire (miniplug to flat connector) that feeds the track, I'm out of the train biz until I can replace it.  Bachman sells this wire I think and I could order back ups.  (3)If I use two other terminal tracks to receive the feeder wires, I'll need those flat plugs to insert into the terminal tracks.  Does anyone know if these pop apart?  Can the flat plugs be bought anywhere?  Didn't see them on the Bachman site.....which includes but few parts.....I guess encouraging a visit to the hobby shop where such parts could be obtained? No such shops in my neck of the woods! (4)Can I attach this Bachman all in one track to another brand of non-all-in-one track?  If I expand, I would want to do that and not invest further in the EZ track. It looks pretty toy-like; yet maybe ballasting and weatering will improve it.

I may be barking up the wrong tree with all of this and, yes, I can see how my starter set should have been with another brand of track and separate roadbed and another kind of DCC system.  I'm rather invested in the EZ track; but would never go this route again if I had my time to go over (i.e. the expansion track and the great expense of four encoded switches).  I'm having fun with the hobby assembling structures.  I have most of the materials to start some scenery.  I want to get the track wiring things in place before I add scenery that would make track work difficult. Sorry for this lengthy essay...lol.  If anyone has ideas, please let me know. I travel a good bit and may not be able to reply back right away; but will.  Thank you!

Mike

Winston-Salem, NC

[Phoebe Vet]

You must decide whether you are protecting your investment, or throwing good money after bad.  If your layout will remain a 4x8, you cannot put enough track and motive power on it to overwhelm your EZCommand.  If your parked trains become an overload problem, just add a switch that will allow you to turn off the parking track.  If you are going to enlarge the layout then you should consider getting a better DCC command station.  I cannot think of a scenario where I would recommend a booster be added to the EZCommand.

The flat plug at the track is proprietary and probably can only be had from Bachmann, but the plug at the command station is standard and can be had at Radio Shack or any on line electronics store.  You can get or make Y adapters to use more than one Bachmann cable.  I am not a fan of IDC (suitcase or Scotchlock) connectors.  Bringing that subject up will start a great debate pro and con.

DCC is AC, not a sine wave, but rather an asymmetric square wave, which changes polarity many times per second.  There is no positive or negative.  Most DCC systems call them Rail A and Rail B.  If you decide to run a bus, COLOR CODE the wires to each rail and be very careful to maintain the polarity.  If you put your connection in the middle of the front, and a second one in the middle of the back, you probably won't need a bus until you expand.

[CSX Robert]

123mike

...I guess there are two wires inside that sheathing that makes it look like one wire...

Unless Bachmann is using something different now, if you look at the end that goes into the flat plug you should be able to pretty eaisly see that it is two separate wires joined into a pair. When working with them it is actually quite easy to pull them apart.

123mike

...If I tear up that single wire (miniplug to flat connector) that feeds the track, I'm out of the train biz until I can replace it.  Bachman sells this wire I think and I could order back ups...

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_74&products_id=188

On the Bachmann site, you won't find it under the "Online Store", but under "Parts, Service, & Information."

123mike

...If I use two other terminal tracks to receive the feeder wires, I'll need those flat plugs to insert into the terminal tracks.  Does anyone know if these pop apart?  Can the flat plugs be bought anywhere?  Didn't see them on the Bachman site...

They don't have the flat plugs alone but they do have them with wires attached.  They should have come with the terminal tracks, but if not:

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_74&products_id=5987

123mike

...Can I attach this Bachman all in one track to another brand of non-all-in-one track?..

 

Absolutely.