DCC - to solder track or not

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
21

As a jumper-using DC (not DCC) runner, I do not have any power busses to connect my drops to, nor do I plan to install anything of the sort in the forseeable future. Granted that NS rail has lower conductivity than copper wire, but even code 83 has a much larger cross-section than the wire I use for power feeds. Also, the voltage drop along the length of my longest block isn’t significant, since that longest block only has a total of five pieces of rail and the feeder is soldered to the middle piece.

I agree that a DCC runner, who could, hypothetically, wire an entire basement empire with only one set of feeders, needs busses and lots of drops. The control system I use dates from the early 1970’s and relies on numerous very short electrical sections, with the complicated parts inside the control panels.

I will continue to use jumpers to connect rails in sections more than 3 feet long, and will continue to use only one feeder per section. Other folks are free to arrange the feeders, drops, jumpers, soldered rail joints etc. to suit themselves. One size does not fit all.

Chuck

22

I agree with the every-piece-of-track-needs-its-own-feeders crowd.

I’m using 12 AWG power busses and 30 AWG feeders to every piece of track. My turnouts each have five feeders- two for the inner rails, two for the outer rails, and my frogs are powered through my Tortoise switch machines. All of my mainline turnouts use Tortoise machines (my layout is built at chest level so it’s not practical to reach to the back of the 2’ deep layout for many operators), are DCC controlled, and the points are never depended on to supply either route with power.

I do solder the rails on curves to ensure smooth, kink-free curvature but do not solder them on straight areas.

Many may be surprised at the tiny 30AWG power feeders I use, but the quarter test always works. I have a 10A NCE PH Pro running my entire layout, which is divided into 14 power districts and protected by Tony’s Powershield modules and have had no troubles.