I am in the process of wiring my layout. Digitrax Zephyr, Kato Unitrak. I am using a powered bus bar, then attaching Kato connectors (one lead in, three leads out) going to track connections. My question: Is someting going to get too hot, have a bad signal or what ever IF....I have one of the out leads go to two sections of track rather than one? I don't plan on having the Kato connector going to six connections (two for each output) but I need a fourth power line and really don't want to buy one of these connectors if I don't have to. Yes, I know it sounds like I am being really cheap, but I really hate to buy anything I don't have to. I can make secure connections into the Kato plugs (I really like their system but the accessories are really expensive). Thanks for the feedback. Jim
You should be OK. I did that on M. B. ¤¤¤¤¤'s N Scale store layout. They wanted everything to be built using off the shelf items. It has a DCS100 powering it. BTW, it was fun just taking stuff "off the shelf" when needed. Martin Myers
I'll bet is was a lot of fun.....Thanks. I've already used 7 of those 3 way power extensions. making good progress on getting my track wiring done.
Thanks. Sometime just a little reassurance helps. I know we're not talking high voltage or amps, but I would hate to have these things get hot.
Your connections will only get hot if they become somewhat loose. Poor contacts that are loose will generate heat with the current draw. If you get a derailment and it causes a short circuit that does not reach the limit of the internal circuit breaker (as I have had twice) it could draw enough current to melt the plastic covering on the connectors. Think about using external circuit breakers that can be adjusted as low as possible.
Great point! Not only would it melt the plastic covering the connectors, it can also generate enough heat to melt the plastic in the locomotive's truck. This I know from a sad experience.........
Yes I have had that experience TWICE. Once on my home layout with an N gauge Atlas diesel and once on my clubs layout at a show when a child derailed a brand new Bachmann 2-8-0 melting both trucks and all four axles. I installed a PSX 2 circuit breaker on my clubs DCC unit and one on my home layout. The current trip level can be adjusted down lower than the Digitrax PM42
How does one install such a circuit breaker, and where does one get such a thing? Thank you very much. Jim
Same aisle at the hobby store you find Digitrax Zephyr. Kato built your line splitters for just your purpose, you'll not have any trouble.
The circuit breakers connect into the wires from the command station to the track. Some of the circuit breakers need a seperate power supply. The PSX circuit breakers by DCC specialties work off the command station and do not need their own power supply. Two wires from the command station attach to the breakers and then wires go from the breakers to the track power district.
Thanks for the picture and explanation. I have at this point 28 connections to track, with a few more to add as I finish laying track. My layout is N scale, about 12 by 6. Currently powered by a Zephyr, but I have a DCS100 that I have configured (I hope, I haven't tried it yet) to be a booster, with the Zephyr as the command station. I want everything to work fine with the Zephyr, then just move a couple wires to make the DCS 100 the main power. At least I hope it's that easy.
