jerryl wrote: Was about to throw some telephone cables away (the ones that go from the wall to the phone) & since my mind usually drifts to the " how can I use this thing on my RR layout?" I was wondering if anyone found a use for these on thier layout. I realize they are very thin & probably couldn't carry 1 amp, plus they are stiff for such a small diameter. Any ideas? thanks, Jerry
While I wouldn't want to use them for track power or twin-coil switch machines, they are quite cabable of carrying power to Tortoise machines and LED-head signals. Just match the small size wire to low-power applications.
If you've priced wire lately, you realize that you have a valuable resource in hand.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I use them for quick disconnects on my lift bridge. The larger diameter Cat5 cable carries the control bus for the MRC PA system, and the regular phone line carries a track feeder to the bridge, and two wires to run a few structure lights on the adjacent shelf. Never had a problem with this set up. For reference, the power is fed to the bridge from both directions.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
When I was looking around for appropriate wire for my turnouts, I found that 4-conductor phone wire from Home Depot was a better buy than 3-conductor cable from on-line electronics places. It works great, and I can buy it when I need it without shipping charges or delays.
I also use it for the control bus (not the track bus) of my DCC system.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi!
Over the years I've collected a lot of phone wire, particularly the 4 wire color coded solid core used to wire older style telephones. This stuff is great Atlas and other switch machines, and other low voltage applications.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
As to what has been said so far...
Category 3, category 5, 4-cond, 6-cond, 20, cond, it's all good for something! I salvage comm cables from demo jobs I have done and have thousands of feet. More than I'll ever use myself. Also collected lots of solid 12 gauge wire from Demo. I think I have my wiring needs covered for some time.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.