I am in the process of starting to wire my layout. I am placing feeder wires (22 gauge) every 60" that will connect to a bus (18 gauge). Is every 60" sufficient enough or should I place feeders even closer? Currently I am soldering two lengths of code 55 flex track together before adding a feeder.
Thanks!
Feeders every 60" is totally adequate. You didn’t say what size your layout is, but I’d hazard a guess that you’d b probably be OK with one if its just a 4x8 or so. Not a good practice, but you could probably get by.
Depends on the layout and the current draw of the traffic that it will have on it. At 60" that means the locomotive(s) will never be more than 30" from power. Think about it, have you ever worried before about electricity traveling 30" through the track on a layout? Sounds like plenty to me. Most of what is posted by self proclaimed “experts” for DCC wiring is so overkill it isn’t even funny anymore. I am certain there will be at least one post coming that says an 18 gauge bus is way too small, others will say 48" max between feeds. I ran a G-scale DCC with a 20 gauge bus and feeders about every 20 feet. It worked fine (of course that was brass track too - much better conducter than NS).
Thanks for the comments. My layout is 17’ x 14’ this is why was planning on putting them closer. My main straight aways are 15’.
NKP68.
I would think that a feeder every 60" is adequate but I would think that for the size of your layout, I would go with at least a 16G main bus. That is IF you are feeding out both ways from a centre location. If you are feeding from one end or the other, I would go with at least a 14G or possibly a 12G.
Others may disagree with me and I would defer to those with more experience than I. [bow] My own personal opinion is that there tends to be a little bit of overkill in wiring for DCC. Remember, in N scale, you are only feeding power to a VERY SMALL MOTOR. The standard size line to power a Htng./A/C unit in a house is usually in the neighbourhood of 14G and that blower motor draws about 12 Amps to start and draws about 3 - 4 Amps when running. This is what powers the 1/2HP motor in my Htng./A/C unit in my home.
Blue Flamer.
SORRY TO JUMP IN BUT HOW MANY FEEDERS WOULD U NEED IN 12’ IF U DON’T SOLDER THE RAILS TOGETHER?
Gav
I would not rely on the track joiners to carry the power. With expansion and contraction, they can tend to loosen up over time and you could lose power to some of your track.
So with that said, If you don’t solder the rails together I would connect feeder wires to each section of track.
looks like the iron’s comming out then[:)]
cheers for info
Gav