I’m laying track and am about ready to start stringing bus wires under the roadbed. Most of the layout will run on about a 27" shelf. Given that in some places there might be up to 8 or 9 parallel tracks, will one set of bus wires be sufficient under this much track or should I run a second set? I’ll be using 12 guage wire for the bus and probably 18 for the feeders. System will run with the Digitrax SEB.
Somewhere I read that I should “test” to see if I have enough current fed to all rails by doing the “quarter” test. If the breaker pops, then should I assume I have sufficient current flow to that track? And I plan to purchase an RRampmeter soon.
john
One 12ga buss (2 wires) will be just fine. Use IDC/Suticase connectors to run a short jumper wire (I use 12 ga) from each power buss to a terminal strip. Then run your 18ga track jumper wires from each set of tracks to the terminal strip. I use spade connectors so I can disconnect track jumper wires to find shorts.
Im about at the same spot on my 28’x14’ shelf layout. Im using 12ga buss wires with 20ga feeders. I havent been able to find anyone who makes suitcase connectors for 12ga abd 20ga.
I use 12ga-16ga IDC, but I use 18ga feeders. I strip the end of the 18ga feeder and bend it back on the insulated portion of the wire. I then crimp the IDC on the wires. I have done it this way for over five years and never had a problem.