I am writing this on the suggestion of simon1966. I have a question on how to wire an n-scale layout for dcc. I am going to model the Atlas Atlantic Longhaul Lines as found in the Nine N scale Railroads book. This plan is a twice around main line with a single reversing track(will enter counter-clockwise and leave clockwise, but not vice versa). In the future I plan to add a small module extending the siding on the lower right for another single reversing track, so I don’t have to go back through the loop in reverse or touch the train to reverse it.
Any suggestions on how to wire this for DCC. I’m planning on using NCE power cab DCC.
Thanks for any info.
Don
I don’t see any reverse loops, so if you connect the bus every 3 feet to the track, it’s pretty straight forward. You could divide it into power districts to more easily isolate shorts, but if you are only running 2 or 3 trains that is probably not needed.
Don, this is a nice looking plan and your proposed modification seems like a good idea also. Since this is a new layout, rather than an older one that you are converting from DC to DCC (I initially thought that this was the case), you have free reign to make some decisions on how to approach this. It really depends on how far you want to take this in the future. For example, if you want to have a signallling system that depends on detection to identify the location of trains, you will need to divide the layout into blocks to enable this functionality. At the very least you will need to create 3 blocks. One isolated section for each of the reversing loops and one for the rest of the track. http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/wiring/reverse-loop.htm
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track_2.htm#a19
http://loystoys.com/info/reverse_section_control.html
You are going to need some sort of automated auto reverse control and Tony’s Powershield http://www.tonystrains.com/products/tteexclusive_pscb.htm gets high marks from most users.
The question remains on what you should do for the main lines. At the very least, I would run a powerbus under the layout and attatch regular feeder wires to the track. There are no hard and fast rules about how many, or how far apart these feeders should be. My philosophy is that every piece of track be soldered to something. I used flex track, and each flex track section is either soldered to the next section, or soldered to a feeder. In the wiring for DCC web pages about half way down this link http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track.htm is a homemade short detector. I found this to be invaluable during my wiring. It will prevent you from making silly mistakes that can haunt you later. The power feed wiring for the turnouts really will depend on the brand you use. http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm has a lot of good information on this.
If you want to break the main lines up into power districts for detection purposes now or in the fut
Simon, after reading all the sites you suggested, Do I have to use an automated reverse control for the reversing loops if I intend only to run DCC Locos??
According to what I have read DCC locos aren’t effected by the change in polarity, if of course the loop is isolated. I’m only asking this in theory. I do intend on using a reversing control.
Thank you
Don
The locomotive doesn’t care about polarity, but when you cross the boundary the locomotive will short the two sides of the signal, so you need to flip the polarity of one section or the other before or as (in the case of an auto-reverse module) you cross the boundary.
Just to clarify, you know that when you get to the boundary the polarity on the rails changes. But all of the left wheels and all of the right wheels of the locomotive are connected, so when you straddle the boundary there is a short.