OK, I've blocked according to the diagram in the early thread (minus 1 block on the main line) like this: so now my layout looks like this: red dots = power hookup green squares = insulated joiners (double gapped) now which way/how shoud the under wiring go? I thought shortest distance would be best, so the yellow lines (below) show what I think I should do (any of you electric engineers please chime in!). Also, should I go ahead and connect the feeds to complete a loop (indicated by orange) for less electricity flux? blue box is power/throttle station location [ 20. September 2003, 02:12: Message edited by: nscale_lover ]
I am not an electrical engineer so the following is just from experience. I am assuming that the fat yellow/orange line in your last drawing is your Rail A wire or Rail B wire as appropriate and that you will be running individual wires from the BDL162 to each block. I believe in neatness and organization so I personally would run my common buss wire around the perimeter of the layout and then connect to that buss with smaller gage wire at right angles to the connection point. The recommended buss wire gage depends on distance of run and load. On my large HO layout I used #12 wire for all my buss wiring. On your N scale layout I am sure you could use a higher number. I would also run wire from the BDL162 of the same gage as the common buss wire along the same path as the common buss wire and then connect smaller wires at the same points as you did to the common buss. This will keep the resistance equal (or close) between Rail A and Rail B. David
Yeah, I should have specified... the yellow line is what I think the bus and BDL connection route might be...the orange is option 2, if I were to make the route a connected loop. All the feeders can reach the intended yellow path Basically I'm asking: #1 - Is the yellow route OK? Or should it be different #2 - Keep just the yellow or do I need to add the orange section and make it a completed loop. I'm planning on using #14 twisted wire (layout size is only 6' x 4.5')
There is no need to connect the loop. What you have is fine. For the size of layout you have #14 wire is more than large enough. I would recommend that the feeders to the track be a lot smaller for appearance shake. Short lengths of #20-24 connected to the #14 would work great. I use #24 drops from the track on my HO. David
Thanks David! I bought the terminal joiners by Atlas (#24 wire) so it looks like I'm right on with your suggestion! Once my soldering skills improve, I'll make my own with #24 wire.
