Wiring tortoises, what AWG size do you use?

[howmus]

While either stranded or solid wire will work well, I would venture a guess from previous posts that most of us prefer to use solid (no polls please, LOL). Solid is easier to work with in that once it is bent in place, it stays there. It also is easier to solder because you are not haveing to try and keep all those little tiny wires in the right place. A stray wire can cause a short at times. I use both in different places on the layout. It often depends on what I have in stock. Conductivity is virtually the same in either case, and it boils down to personal preference. You are right that #24 wire is plenty big enough for wiring a toroise machine. Always err on the side of too large if you have to make a choice. Your wiring is correct.

[MidlandPacific]

I used 22 gauge thermostat wire from Home Depot - copper stuff, it worked very well.

[Anonymous]

When I started wiring my tortoise SMM I only had two sizes on hand, so I used the 20 gauge. It's a little big for the job, but works fine.

Trevor[:)]

[richhotrain]

I use 22 gauge stranded wire. This is available in 33' rolls from Brawa and 100' rolls from Miniatronics. Stranded wire is much more flexible than similarly sized single strand wire and it is easier to work with in my opinion. Resist the temptation to simply twist it onto the Tortoise. Soldering is essential for good connections.

Your wiring diagram is correct!

[electrolove]

Ok, so I don't need more then 24 AWG, thanks. How did you wire them, like my picture?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Pennsy58

I wired all of my tortoise machines with telephone wire, which is 24 AWG I believe. I simply bought a 100 roll of the wire at a hardware store, removed the cover and seperated the wires into their colors. That way I had a built in color code for the project.

[Pennsy58]

I wired all of my tortoise machines with telephone wire, which is 24 AWG I believe. I simply bought a 100 roll of the wire at a hardware store, removed the cover and seperated the wires into their colors. That way I had a built in color code for the project.

[electrolove]

I have learned that AWG 12 stranded wire is good for the track power bus and AWG 18 stranded wire is good for track feeders.

But what AWG size should be used to wire tortoises? I want to wire them like this: