G/Day Folks,
Im converting my Layout to DCC, I have replaced all of the DC wiring on one half of my Layout and would now like to break that half into three seperate districts before converting the other half as well. Do I branch off the Main Bus Wires with a Sub Bus Wire?, and, do I cut both tracks leading into this Branch District?, Do I insert a switch in the Sub Bus Wire for Isolation in the case of "Short Searches"?. Ive read that some folks
use a “Vehicle Globe” in place of a Switch or a “Curcuit Breaker”, I dont mind
either way.
My DCC System is a “Atlas Commander Ver3”, and runs like a charm, My
Layout is a “G shape” which adds up to 50Ft overall, so you can see my
reason for “Block Isolation” of some type without breaking the Bank.
Any suggestions will be considered and used.
Have a Merry Christmas all of you.
If I understand your question correctly, you simply want to be able to turn off certain sections or districts so you can more easily isolate problems… Correct? Simple on / off toggles will do the trick… Run your main buss across the toggles just as you would have for cab control and then use the toggles to switch the districts off and on when needed… To be honest, my layout covers 28x22 feet, there is one power buss running the entire layout and I’ve never had the need to isolate tracks to find problems… They are usually right in front of me where I left a metal track gauge laying across the rails (or something similar). It certainly can’t hurt to set up the seperate districts though…
Are you planning to use a “power booster” for each of these districts? That would allow you to spread the load around the layout. Typically, you would need this for a large layout where you are running a lot of locomotives and / or lighted cars.
You can also use circuit breaker boards to detect shorts on portions of your layout without interrupting power on others. Several manufacturers make these.
I’ve got both a reverse loop and a turntable, so I have 2 of the Tony’s Trains reverser modules. These also provide circuit breaker protection.
Jeff is right about using a toggle switch for simple isolation, though. Power boosters, reverser modules and circuit breaker boards are all far more expensive. If your basic DCC system has enough power and you don’t have a reverse loop, then you can save money and simplify your wiring at the same time.
John: is a Vehicle Globe an antipodean term for an automobile light bulb? These can be used as a circuit protector with a visual indicator.
You don’t need to divide into power districts unless you plan to excede 5 amps load on your layout. Then it becomes a matter of how you operate. If you load six poweered units on a train, it may need its own booster. Or if you store 50 units with sound systems operating outside your engine shed.
Hi, John. Try wending your way through this highly educational thread, courtesy of Joe Fugate. It will address most of your questions, particularly the tail-light bulb short diverter. Cheers.
I am NO expert, but do run a DCC system. Everything already mentioned sounds good to me, although I would at least put a fuse/circuir breaker on each of the districts…just in case.
Another comment…Both the folks at Digitrax and Loy, of LoysToys, strongly suggest NOT using the tail light method for a short circuit protection.
Thank you to all who contributed to my call, I think I can follow most of your remarks
and suggestions. Do have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.