Track feeder wires

[Anonymous]

I'm laying track and need to know the effective distance apart track feeder wires need to be from each other along the track to operate locomotives. IE: 2 feet, 5 feet, or?? If I have DCC does the distance change or make any difference? I'm laying HO code 83. Please advise and thanks

John

[cmrproducts]

John

On my layout (25 x 75) I learned a long time ago that you can never have enough wire drops. I decided to over kill the drops and I put them at each joint of the flex track plus on each end of a turnout. Now I know this is a lot but I plan on never having to worry about any power loss. Even if I have a few bad solder joints later on the number of additional drops will cover those lost. So far I have not had any problems and have over 2300ft of track down and still adding!

BOB H Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

I agree, the only thing I would add is you might want to put the feeders between the flex joints, not at them. Minor difference.

[dknelson]

you might want to investigate a product Atlas has had for years but has never heavily promoted or advertised: rail joiners with a feeder wire already attached. In theory it energizes both tracks it attaches
Of course if it is loose then the benefit is lost

[Anonymous]

That's why I suggested soldering the feeders to the flex somewhere other than at the joiners. Let the joiners do just one thing (provide a mechanical connection). This way, you may be able to get away with not soldering the joiners at all, which could make track removal easier down the line.

[Anonymous]

Bill,

Thanks for the advice. That's what I was looking for. Both you and Bob have given me some things to think about.

John

[Anonymous]

Bob,

Could you post your email address? I would like to see your layout, if you have any pics or a website to view it at. I also may need some pointers on wiring and electronics once I begin building mine. My layout is 80 x 16. Since yours was quite large, I was interested in several aspects of it. Please let me know. If you can, please contact me at [e-mail] Thanks so much.

-Wolv33

[cmrproducts]

Wolv33

Here it is

[e-mail]

I am using Digitrax Radio/IR/walkaround on the layout. I desigened the layout from the beginning to use DCC. I originally used Keller Onboard command control. But DCC is the best thing ever.

Later

BOB H Clarion, PA

[cmrproducts]

Bill

I used to solder the feeders in the middle of the section of flex track, but then when I made changes to the layout I had a hard time reusing the flex. After going to soldering to the jointers reusing the track was much easier. As for soldering the track Iuse electronics solder, the type used for circuit boards (.032 dia) and have found that I do not get cold solder joints. I also use a large Weller electric solder gun (yes gun!) to do the soldering. Most people look at me like I am nuts trying to do it that way, but it works for me and I do not get melted ties either! But this is after years and years of practice. Most new modelers that try they end up with large blobs of melted plastic. But they soon get the procedure down.

Later

BOB H Clarion, PA

[dknelson]

Save the cotton balls from aspirin bottles. Soak in cold water and it makes an excellent heat sink around the soldered areas -- you can mold it to fit the track. That does a good job of preventing melted ties
I use a gun too because it heats fast
Dave

[Anonymous]

Bob - I'm confused, why did having the feeders at the middle of the flex make reuse harder? I've found that "in the middle" feeders can then also be reused, since they are still on the flex, and that I cause less damage removing the rail joiners when there's no feeders attached.

Anyway, about your use of a large solder gun, it seems illogical but really isn't that using something that transfers the heat faster causes less melting of the ties. Basically, your getting the solder to its melting point before much heat has time to get to the ties.

Bill

[Anonymous]

Hi Bob,

I tried...said it could not deliver the message. I think it is because you have both a .net and a .com in your email address... is it .net or .com?

Thanks.

-Wolv33

[cmrproducts]

Bill

When I would try to reuse the flex, I had to spend a lot of time removing the solder. No I did not use a solder wick but it may have made things easier.

As far as using the solder gun, yes the transfer of heat quickly is the key. And having the printed circuit board solder .032 dia melts very quick as it has a much higher tin content. I used to repair computers and soldering new sockets to those tiny traces went much faster with the smaller dia solder.

Later

BOB H Clarion, PA

[cmrproducts]

Wolv33

[e-mail]

between clarion and net is a dash not an underline or a dot

Later

BOB H Clarion, PA