Getting ready to start wiring. The last layout I solder the wires. What a pain! What do you use enstead? Thanks Don
I decided to try something different on my test layout and ran the buss around the fascia area of the layout. Sure it doesn't look great but at 78 I'm not going to be crawling under the main layout connecting and soldering wires if I can help it. One could recess it and inch or so and build a false fascia that is easy to attach or detach with a few screws. I was able to have nice solid solder connections that could be cut or de-soldered if needed and all of that takes place in an easy spot to use the soldering iron. I dropped the track and frog feeders down from the top and reached underneath and pulled them to the side of the layout and soldered them on. Didn't have to go under for any of it. It was also convenient for connecting my DC throttle and DCC Command Station and the switches to switch between them. I'm close to starting the main layout and plan on using the same system for it as much as I can. It will be a max of 6 feet wide and will be such that I'll walk around the whole layout (6 ft. x 24 feet) so the maximum distance for a feeder to the side would be 3 feet. If I wasn't about 78 I might still go more conventional and run the buss further in under the layout but I'm not and for me functionality is number one now and I think this will keep me in the hobby longer. There is more info on the above here.... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP Canyon Division/page-13.html Sumner
I recommend suitcase connectors to connect feeders to the bus wires. Just be sure you get the right size connectors for the wire you are using. One important point worth noting here is that the suitcase connectors (otherwise known as insulation displacement connectors) were initially designed for use with solid wire not stranded wire. There is a possibility that using them with stranded wire will result in a defective connection. This is especially true if the wrong size connector is used. There are all kinds of debate on various forums about the relative merits of stranded vs solid wire as to which is better. Personally, I prefer the solid wire but use what you want. The connectors come in various colors depicting what size wires they are designed for. The red connectors are the ones mostly used and are designed for a 14-18 gauge 'run' (bus) wire and a 18-22 gauge 'tap' (feeder) wire.
I have seen on this board suitcase connectors with flat blade connectors. Clamp the suitcase to the larger bus wire and then connect the smaller feeder with a flat blade to the suitcase. The suitcase come with ability for two different sizes, large main feed and smaller feeder, but not as much difference as needed for this application. I have looked for them but no luck. Anybody have a suggestion. Connecting and disconnecting to search for a problem would be much easier as well. Rich
I believe what you are referring to are called "t-taps wire connectors". They are available on Ebay. Here is the URL: t-taps wire connectors | eBay
Thanks! I did see those earlier today but I recall the ones I saw looked more like the suitcase joiners. These also had an Amazon link. Thanks. Rich
It doesn't matter whether its analog DC or DCC. Wiring is . . . just wiring. As for size of layout, the bigger the layout, the more wiring is needed, more buss wire and more feeder wires.
