kato track troubles

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It would be nice if everybody quit beating around the bush and said what the real problem is. Resistance! The farther the loco gets from the point of power, the more resistance there is in the distance of track that the power must travel. To counteract this, attach feeder wires every 6 feet. The loco will get full power no matter where it is on the layout. And even if you throw the Kato track out and do it all over with flex track, you’re going to have the same problem! The laws of physics do not change! Attach feeders at every 6 feet and the problem will go away. Take it from someone who’s been building layouts for 40+ years.

I can’t argue with what you’re saying. I’ve heard it many times and it makes sense…use lot’s of feeders!

But here is what I can’t understand. With over 130’ of HO Atlas True Track, basically 9" sections of Code 83 track, I have only 3 sets of feeders. I’m using Lenz 5 amp DCC and I have no loss of voltage anywhere on the layout.

Been running this for about a year with no problems. Why is this working when others are having problems and have to feed every 3’ to 6’ and some are soldering every joint??? In the beginning I was fully prepared to add more feeders but have just not had too.

The 5 amps you’re getting from the DCC is part of it. Another part is that you’re using code 83 rail. There’s less metal there to provide resistance. Also, you probably have your feeders at strategic locations. Are they spaced apart equally?

[jwils1]

It would be nice if everybody quit beating around the bush and said what the real problem is. Resistance! The farther the loco gets from the point of power, the more resistance there is in the distance of track that the power must travel. To counteract this, attach feeder wires every 6 feet. The loco will get full power no matter where it is on the layout. And even if you throw the Kato track out and do it all over with flex track, you’re going to have the same problem! The laws of physics do not change! Attach feeders at every 6 feet and the problem will go away. Take it from someone who’s been building layouts for 40+ years.

I can’t argue with what you’re saying. I’ve heard it many times and it makes sense…use lot’s of feeders!

But here is what I can’t understand. With over 130’ of HO Atlas True Track, basically 9" sections of Code 83 track, I have only 3 sets of feeders. I’m using Lenz 5 amp DCC and I have no loss of voltage anywhere on the layout.

Been running this for about a year with no problems. Why is this working when others are having problems and have to feed every 3’ to 6’ and some are soldering every joint??? In the beginning I was fully prepared to add more feeders but have just not had too.

The 5 amps you’re getting from the DCC is part of it. Another part is that you’re using code 83 rail. There’s less metal there to provide resistance. Also, you probably have your feeders at strategic locations. Are they spaced apart equally?

Yes it did work out that each set of feeders cover about a third of the layout so I guess that helps. Anyway, I’ll go with it as long as it runs well. I can add more feeders later if needed.

Thanks for your reply.