As a start into the hobby I thought something basic would be best. I would like help with wiring a Timesaver or variant of same. We will be using an MRC Tech II LocoMotion 1500. None of the Timesaver websites had anything about wiring them. Do I need to connect more than one feed? Is a control other than the Tech II needed? Thanks for any help! William
the timesaver is a small layout that you will probably be using only one locomotive so wiring for several blocks is not necessary. you could put a main buss under the layout and attach a pair of feeders to each siding and the passing tracks. the mrc pack should be ok for power. using ground throw mechanisms on the switches will eliminate that wiring task. you could also put insulated rail joiners on the passing tracks and sidings so if you make the timesaver a part of a bigger layout later you won’t have to put them in then.
I have some basic wiring technique drawings I drew on microsoft word…if you send me an e-mail i’ll be glad to send them to you in an attachment…Chuck
Thank you both for your replies. They were very helpful. William
I also am building a Timesaver as the beginning module for a future bigger layout.
If you look at the straight-line schematic of a Timesaver, it has three parallel lines. I intend to wire each line seperately, then connect them under the table as a single block. The power will be let in on each track wherever does not involve looking the wrong way down a turnout. (This may mean that I wire a track from each end and gap it in the middle.)
This way, when I eventually expand, I have only one track where I must unhook the wires and re-connect things.
Your best bet is to go out and buy a “wiring for dummies” book. Wiring is straight forward but there is the ocassional bump in the track. I took three years of electro in college so I have an upper hand. Yet those nasty Gremlins do get the best of me from time to time.
If you are DC. Go with DC Cab. i.e. block sections.
Electricity is not hard just trickey
Regards
Fergie
Save yourself time and grief
RTFN