feeder wires

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

How far apart and how many feeder wires do I need if my double main lines 128 linear feet?

Do you place them at ____ feet apart depending on the over all length of the track?

Are feeder wires needed for sidings and yards as well?

Thanks,

Brian

2

You’ll probably get a lot of answers Brian but a good starting point for HO scale would be a feeder every 6 feet or so - give or take. Some prefer feeders on every rail. No harm in this but it’s probably overkill. For wire I suggest 18 gauge for the feeders and 14 gauge for the main bus.

You will need feeders in the yards, sidings, and spurs.

Lance

Layout construction, design, and track plan books http://www.lancemindheim.com/bookstore.htm

3

Just a guess here, but does the bus wire run the entire length of the layout and the feeder wires are splced from the bus wires?

I have a book on basic wiring etc that I probably need to read again…

Thanks for the prompt reply Lance !

Brian

4

Yep it should run the length the main line. As for the yard or spurs, one bus line can be fed from for several yard tracks, not 10 different bus lines for 10 tracks of the yard. Also I would recommend getting two different colors for your bus lines and your feeder wire so you dont cross up the feeders and the bus line.

5

All good advice so far and I agree with Lance - - - every 6 feet along the mainline for feeder wires.

Also, install a pair of feeders for each track in the yard or siding.

Do the quarter test along your mainline tracks and sidings and yards to be sure that you wiring is adequate.

Rich

6

This will really show how much I know… but what is a ‘quarter test’ ?

Thanks to all that chimed in with messages !

Brian

7

With your DCC system connected and powered up, will a quarter placed over the two rails anywhere on your track system activate the short detection circuitry? That is the quarter test. Also known as the screwdriver blade test, the tongue test…no scratch that! Umm…the whatever-metallic-you-forgot-that-you-left-on-the-rails test, the soda can test…you get the picture. [:)]

The most sensible practice when you are connecting 3 foot lengths of flex track is to solder every second joiner to include a feeder wire, and leave the two on either side free to float to accommodate rail creep due to humidity and temperature changes. With this configuration, the joiner positively supplies power from the feeder wire to both lengths it connects. So, no feeder is ever further than the length of flex track on either side of that soldered joiner.

Crandell

8

Hmmm. I guess there’s nothing wrong with have lots of feeders, but it seems like overkill to me. I use a single pair of wires located near the power source, with all rail joiners soldered.

Wayne

9

You didn’t say if you were using DC or DCC for power. Most of the advice given is geared toward DCC, there would be some modifications if you are in DC. You probably should re-read your wiring book and make sure it is for the type wiring you intend to udo. I go back and read books on things I haven’t done for awhile. Interesting the things you missed or have forgotten.

Good luck,

10

My layout is in a humid location and bearing in mind I don’t solder my joiners, I find it desirable and even necessary to supply feeders to every piece of track.

Mike

11

You mention 128 linear feet of main line. Does that mean 60 feet out and another 60 back? Or is it a double main line, 30 out and 30 back?

The killer is the overall length of the run, either from your cab power distribution panel (in DC) or from your base station (in DCC.) There’s no reason that you have to have a single, linear bus. You can add branches, and the bus wiring does not have to match the track path.

If you have very long runs, over 25 feet or so, you might actually want to go with #12 wire for your track bus. This will result in less loss at the end of the line. On the other hand, I think the suggestion of using #18 wire for feeders is overkill. I have a much smaller layout than the one you’re planning, but I use #18 for my bus and #22 for my feeders. I have no problems with power distribution, but, as I said, my layout is much smaller.

12

Just wanted to say a BIG thanks to all that have contributed advice !

And to answer an earlier question, I am running DC, so I guess that does make a difference.

I guess I will run a bus line under the entire main line(s) and solder the joints as well… I just want something reliable that wont be full of ‘bugs’

Gonna call the local train club here and see about looking at what they have done on their rather large layout and try to replicate the wiring part…

Hope you all have a GREAT Christmas and holiday season !!

Brian

13

Brian, my previously-made comments were based on my experiences with my own DC-powered layout - I have about 190’ of mainline in service (not counting double track, passing sidings, or industrial spurs), with another 65’-or-so yet to be built.

I have a friend who’s using DCC on a considerably larger layout, also with a single pair of wires connecting power to the track, and operation is flawless. He does plan, though, on adding a bus with more feeders once all of the additional track is in place.

Wayne