Hey guys. Below I've inserted a rough...and I do mean rough draw of my layout. I haven't yet bought my dcc unit, but I expect in the next couple of weeks I'll buy the Digitrax Zephyr. Currently I have the layout wired with 2 simple wires and of course all the track isn't connected. My question is this, where would you recommend that I place my blocks? I've been reading "Wiring for DCC" but I'm still pretty intimidated by it. I'm a far cry from being an electronics whiz. In the pic below I've split up the track into blocks, am I close? I probably made a rookie mistake by not placing the blocks as I laid track. My layout is HO and is basically 6'x18'. Here is an old layout pic, it's been slightly modified in the pic below. I respect your input and am looking forward to it. Thanks
Well. I'd say for your layout you have to "block" it based on your method of operation. For me, I'd block the left half of the layout, the right half of the layout, and then the yard area as the third. Additionally, I'd pick one siding and double gap it for total isolation and dedicate it as a programming track. I would have two main switches that turn the layout completely off. One switch (double pole) for the programming track, and once switch (double pole) for the balance of the layout. Then, you could have "sub switches" that individually turn off the blocks or selective sidings where you decide you want to park loco's and wish to turn those sidings off. That is just one modeler's opinion. I am sure there are many more by posters out there that would view your layout differently. Good luck!!!! Let us know how it works out for you.
I would use a track that isn't connected to the layout for a programming track. The programming track doesn't need a switch to turn it off. I now have 14 blocks on the JJJ&E. I use common bus lines and feeders from each section of track to wire my layout. All blocks are isolated by using plastic insulated rail joiners on both rails at both ends of the block. I can park loco's anywhere on the JJJ&E. There is no need to have switches that turn off sidings. I would create blocks on your layout with these factors in mind; signaling, block occupancy detection; feedback; and a second or third power district in a yard or turntable area. Have fun, Stay cool and run steam......
There really isn't a need for blocks unless you plan to have certain sections driven by different boosters or short/overload isolation devices such as the Digitrax PM42. I would recommend a single track siding that is isolated and double gapped for a programming track. I use a DPDT switch to change my caboose storage track from a normal siding into a programming track this way. The only real reason to have 'blocks' with a DCC layout is if you plan to have signals. David
David, et all.... I may be more intimidated then even I thought. As I read David's reply I was wondering why he said what he said, then I began to look closer at the picture that I drew. I knew I had a reversing loop and I thought that I definitely had to have blocks to complete the wiring, then as I looked at the pic I noticed that I had inadvertently left the loop out. Here is the closer to real picture, still rough though. Your input is desired. Thanks...Jeff
David, et all.... I may be more intimidated then even I thought. As I read David's reply I was wondering why he said what he said, then I began to look closer at the picture that I drew. I knew I had a reversing loop and I thought that I definitely had to have blocks to complete the wiring, then as I looked at the pic I noticed that I had inadvertently left the loop out. Here is the closer to real picture, still rough though. Your input is desired. Thanks...Jeff </font>[/QUOTE]Jeff: With DCC, the wiring for the reverse loop is easy as it gets. Two wire into the reverse loop module and two wires out. If you need some help with the DCC, e-mail me. Stay cool and run steam....
That isn't a simple reverse loop. You need a reverse loop module but probably only applied to the track shown red here: But I'm not 100% sure about that
This reply isn't related to your original wiring question but is in regards to your reverse loop. The way you have your plan a train going clockwise can go through the reverse loop and start going around the track counter clockwise. However the only way a train can go from counter clockwise to clockwise would be to back up throught the reverse loop. If you add another reverse loop you would be able to switch the direction of the train without backing up regardless of the direction of travel.
