This is my 1st post even though I’ve been a faithful reader for several months now. I’ve enjoyed the forums and have learned a lot from the experience of other posters.
I’ve been working on a basement layout pretty much full-time since Nov 09. This is my first attempt at building a layout but I’m enjoying the process tremendously. It is a DCC HO set-up that is approximately 28’ x 25’. I’m probably being a bit aggressive for my first attempt but I’m not afraid of a challenge and going for what I want. So far I think it’s going very well.
I have most of the track (flex) laid and I am soon to begin running my buss wires. I have wire drops from each piece of track. I will be installing terminal blocks all along the layout that I will be connecting the track drops into.
I’m curious as to what would be the most appropriate method of incorporating the buss into the layout. I’m considering running the buss line around the layout and running a feeder line to each terminal block OR daisy-chaining the the buss from one terminal block to the next, thus eliminating solder joints or ‘suitcase connectors’.
I’m curious as to what the different lines of thought might be regarding these two methods. Would I experience potential voltage drops or other problems by daisy-chaining the buss wire? I’ll be using 12g wire for the buss.
Welcome to the forum!. I have and around the walls layout that is approximately the same size as yours and I wired my bus lines with terminal blocks as you have described. My bus wires are 14G stranded wire and the terminal blocks are “daisy chained”. The quarter test works fine all around the layout and I have had no trouble with voltage drop associated issues. If you go this route make sure to use good quality crimp connectors and crimp the wires well.
I think that if a poll were taken, most of us just run one pair of long heavier gauge wires through holes drilled through any joists and other frame members, and then break insulation and wrap thinner wire feeders up to the rails above where it makes sense to do that. Solder the wraps, of course.
That said, if you know how to use blocks that will give the same continuity that the bus wire itself would provide over the same reach, I don’t see why you shouldn’t give it a try.
In my case, it made sense to use sub-buses, into which I wired in series some 12 volt automobile tail-light bulbs for shorts current absorption. I learned this from Joe Fugate. This way, the bulbs protect a module on my layout, and help to point out the area where the short is taking place…the bulb glows when a short happens.
That’s the way I did it too. I used 14 gauge solid copper house wire 'cause I had some. Electrically it is overkill, but it is rugged. Use a “no-nick” wire stripper to remove the insulation. Make two cuts in the insulation with the stripper and then use a knife to cut the insulation free of the wire. Stagger the plus and minus feeder wires, so that should the bus wires get pressed together, they won’t short the plus feeder into the minus feeder.
Terminal blocks are nice, but expensive. If you go with terminal blocks it’s fine to daisy chain them. One problem, the screws are designed for much smaller wire. I doubt that you will be able to get #14 or even worse #12 solid wire to fit under the terminal block screws. Crimp on terminal lugs only work properly on stranded wire.
I have never done the auto tail lamp trick myself but it has been around in the literature a long time.
I have run the Buss wires like fingers down this 6’ x 18’ bench. One finger for each track. I have three such Sub Buss setups on my layout and so far no problems and lots of power. Everything is soldered to something. If it doesn’t have its own feeder it is soldered to something that does.
My buss is #16 stranded speaker wire with crimp on ends and daisy chained terminal blocks. It is a 18x16 around the room single level, unless you count the subway, layout. The quarter test (actually, I do it with a screwdriver across the track) passes everywhere on the layout.
Like a couple of posts, I have used 14 gauge copper wire. My booster is located in the middle of the entire layout so I ran the buss from the booster to terminal block and then ran two home runs from there. Then I ran feeders from those runs and it works like a charm. I have seen the the auto light bulb described a couple of places but have not tried it myself.
I run 14g stranded around the entire layout and run the drops to Posi-taps. The reason I use Posi-taps is they do not cut the wire, no need for terminal strips, you can use as many as you need, no under-table soldering. They are not expensive if you buy them in bulk and you can run up to five 22g solid drops per unit.
As usual, there are some good comments in this thread. Thanks to those who have chosen to share their experiences and well as to those yet to do so. I will take all advice and comments into consideration as the time approaches to pull out the spool of wire.
Don’t forget to factor in the length of run for the bus wires. Generally 30 feet from command station or booster terminal to the end (that includes drops and sub-bus wires). The suggested sub-bus wires (which creates sub-districts) is a good idea for helping isolate problems and to keep a short from bringing everything to a halt.
For a first time effort, that is a pretty good sized layout you are taking on. Good luck.
I run a pair of 14 gauge wires around my layout and use 24 gauges stranded feeder wires that I solder to the bus wires. No suitcase connectors, no terminal blocks, no problems.
I’m a firm believer that you can do anything if you’re willing to pay the “price” to obtain it. The “price” includes much more than just money. Time, effort, determination, and dedication are more vital than the $. Meeting the financial aspect can come as a result of your other efforts. Some things require more time and effort than others. If you aren’t willing to work for what you want to achieve, you’re selling yourself short and may never realize your potential.
You eat an elephant one bite at a time they say, so I’m just approaching it as building multiple small layouts, one at a time. Probably the biggest risk I see in ‘going large’ is, if you (I) blow it, you (I) really blow it. When I started, I knew what I wanted to end up with so it’s just a matter of staying focused and keeping the goal in the cross hairs.
BTW… I decided to run the buss daisy-chain style going from terminal block to terminal block. I now have all the terminal blocks in place and all of the track feeders connected. Next up is to run the actual buss wires. Shouldn’t be a big deal… just run the wires from one terminal block to the next until the elephant disappears.[:)] It did take a significant number of terminal blocks, but it all looks neat & orderly. So far I’m pleased and believe I made the right choice (for me). I “built in” a considerable amount of extra capacity for any future expansion and/or needs. Just in case.
