Thank you folks for your responses on my earlier question about which to buy, NCE or MRC. Clearly, I’ve decided on NCE.
I have two mainline tracks construction around the walls on my benchword. I have also installed two bus wires (No. 12 gauge) all the way around the layout under the bench work.
Question: Do I need to install another set of bus wires for the second set of tracks? Or do I run feeders for both the inside and outside set of tracks to the same bus wires?
Steve
Same buss wires. Just make sure the phase (if wiring with DC we’d say polarity) is the same to each set of tracks. If you have the equivalent of two loops (parallel circles), there will not be any issue. If, however, you have a return loop situation (a “loop to loop” plan), then a reversing section will be needed. That will complicate your wiring a bit. If you don’t have a return loop, just forget about what I said about the return loop situation.
if you are just getting into dcc you may want to run a non decoder loco on dc until you get decoders for all your locos. by running separate busses for each track you could switch back to dc on either track by using dpdt switches to select what type of control for any track. also it will be better for making separate power districts for each track in the future.
You only need one buss for your track. (unless it’s a huge layout with multiple track boosters)You may want to consider a second buss for lighting and signal power though. These would have a seperate power supply. (not your NCE system)
No, 12 gauge wire could handle eight mainlines [:-^]
Yes, that would be the one.
It can be done with only one bus.
I also am running two main lines around the walls. However, I want to break my main lines into two separate power districts. Therefore, I will need to have two bus lines, one for each main line.
You may want to do the same. That way if you have a short on one of the mains the other will still operate without shutting down your whole layout.
Bill
It would be be better IMHO to break your layout into power district ‘blocks’ rather than by mainlines. That way the short is localized and not generalized over the whole layout…
David B
My layout is in 16 blocks. If there’s a short in one block I can turn that block off and it doesn’t effect the others.
That’s what I did. Two separate busses: AC for DCC system and DC for the accessories (different color wires). The AC system is divided into 3 power districts. The DC system uses a converted 300 watt computer power supply.
To power layout lighting I use an old AT type computer power supply. For the turnouts I use an old Bachmann power pack. That way track power is used ONLY for the track.