Well, I have a 4x8 Dc track started and i i am thinking that i should have left myself a option to expand .Now i am thinking about pulling up a small section of my track thati havent ballested yet and put a right switch in to give me that option but ,since my knowledge of how much track you can lay on one power source is limited. So, how long can your track be? mine is a large oval with a smaller kinda ofset oval ni the center right now. Will my power source be able to handle the extra track if i lay it or should i just leave it the way it is and wait til later to start over with DCC later own the road( probably much later) but still,now i have the original power pack and i bought a MRC railpower 1300 to use with my layout . thanks for giving me your input
Chris
The amount of track isnt limited so much as the amount of current you can draw from a power supply. I think what you are thinking of is the fact that if you dont use bus wires, the voltage drop over even a few feet is enough to noticably slow down your locomotives. As long as you wire your layout properly the only limiting factors to track length are space and money.
that is exactly what i am wondering. i dont have any bus wires . Heck i am gonig to have to reseach that iguess dont even know what they are ( feeling really stupid now) [V]. I notice even now , i have put a few trains on what i have and they dont really have “mucho” get up and go.I mean they move but they dont fly like i guess i think they should[:p]. Thanks for the info JPM335
Chris
Bus wires are heavier gauge wires (12-14 gauge) coming off the DC posts of your controller and running, paired, near and parallel, just below, your main line.
Coming off that bus, soldered, are pairs of feeder wires, typically 16-20 gauge. They are placed through pre-drilled 3/16" holes under your track and soldered to the correct rail to maintain polarity. They are needed roughly at 3-6’ intervals.
A single controller should handle several locos around 50-60’ of track, providing the track has full continuity, and provided that you have at least 6 feeders over that distance. As you increase the number of locos and track pieces, your controller will eventually run out of capacity due to the very thing that you used feeders for in the first place…voltage drop. Then you need a bigger controller.
thanks selector,for the break down i sure needed it . man i’m dumb ,went off half **** and now i’m paying for it. i already have my track glued and most of the track area scenic done . i never looked into this ,alway thought of it is running two trains which i’m not ;i guess i boo boo’d bad here hum.
well i am runnig power loc track with two re-railers both have the outputs for a power pack wonder if i ran a exrea wire to the other if it might get me power over on the other side of the track and increase the overall track power to the loco?
Again thanks selector ,i always enjoy to input
Chris
You can always add in a bus wire later on. All you would have to do is drill a small hole in between the ties on the outside of the rail and slip a feeder wire through the benchwork. Solder the wire to the outside of the rail and presto!
Unless you are trying to expand a huge amount, I don’t see any real problem with DCC running from just 2 feeder wires. Then again, I’m a garden G scaler so I measure my DCC power in the 10Amp and higher range.[swg]
I suggest building your layout and running it while having tons of fun. Worry about expanding your control system when it is apparent it no longer serves your needs. You can go cross eyed at all the options available and never actualy get anything done.
BTW, the only dumb questions are the ones not asked! At least you’ve DONE something learning from it, that’s the way to go!
hum ,well it’s dc, i guess i can do that if it works (a electical person i am not )and i’ll have to reseach it to figure it all out . hopefully i dont mess something up in the process . Yeah your right jack tho i should probably stick to what i have got ( espacially since it isnt finished even ) before i go to planning more[:)]. i’m getting crazy about this stuff; want eveything and want to do everything [:D]
Great advise and information thanks again jack ,.And true have been told that before " the only question that is dumb is the one not asked" just know there are some guys that know alot and read these questions like this and think your not right upstairs LOL WEll i’m not but [:p] i try LOL
Thanks again
chris
Hi, I’m new to this and sure am thankful for people like Selector, who explain these things, like buss wire. Thanks to Selector and all of you who explain these thing for Dummies like me, even though I am 62 yr’s. old. Thanks to all, Elad449
That’s why we lurk here, fellas. We like trains as much as you, and believe me, we were all there where you are, every one of us. Later, you will easily answer this type of question, and hopefully enjoy it as much as I do.
Talon, do not frett. Adding a bus under your layout and then connecting the far rerailer terminal to it with a pair of feeders will do wonders for your locomotives. Honestly, even that one other supply of power will make a huge difference.
If you don’t know how to solder, ask someone who does to show you. Also, check out this link and watch the owner solder a hand-built switch in the video. It is amazing, but for you it will be instructive and teach you how to solder your rails when you want them permanent and your feeders, too.
selector you are a saint! thanks a ton[:)]. the link you sent me is great and really helpful. You must have really been good at the job you did ( phyciatrist ) i think i remember you saying? ) cause you really know how to give someone insperation!! i really enjoy your posts and appreciate the replies you give me and hope you will continue to offer your knowledge and support. I’m hoping that one day down the road soon i can figure out how to post some picks and hopefully show you and others like you that have given me the nudges in the right direction , the results that are deserved .kinda the fruit from everyones knowledge so to speak.[;)] thanks again
chris
Talon- are you in pilot training or an instructor? Just curious. I retired from there in 91. If you need help in soldering, try dropping in one of the maintenance shops there and ask someone to help you out. Am sure they will. May even give a little lesson on electronics LOL. Good luck on your layout.
Small world huh! shouldnt have any problem soldering , just have never had to do it. but seems simple enough just needed to know how to properly fix the little problem i have since i jumped the gun with my track without thinking and glued everything in place and started the landscaping around it already. Should be easy enough to fix .[:D]. I’m a 38 mechanic. so, i better be able to do it, or somethings wrong with me[;)] thanks for your post novicerr . What di you do here in hell rio when you were stationed here?
thanks again for the post
Chris
I was in ground radio maintenance there, back when there was a comm squadron. Think they are merged with the wings now. Grew up in Uvalde, so was close to hometown. Live in austin area now. Good luck with your layout. I have a 4 x 8, ho but since I moved into a new house, am going to tear it down and start a bench layout around the wall. Havent got it designed yet tho. Will be asking lots of questions once I get started.
well novicerr then you know all the in’s and out’s of this place i’m stuck at. my Layout is a 4x8 as well ( HO ). I’m already thinking about expanding it but , i’m not sure if it is the right thing to do . Since i used the life like power loc track, i was just thinking about expanding off the side of my layout ( “L” shape if you will ) or what? Dont know if i’m kickin a dead cow here and i should just finish what i got and be happy for awhile and start all over later down the road?
Really hate to pull up all my work and start over . So ,this is the place to ask the questions and there are alot of great guys here who are extremely helpful to all of us new people getting into this great hobby. think your layout through all the way, expansion, changes, etc and , you’ll be well on your way .
Thanks for your reply back
Chris