I was emailed and asked to post this picture of e PM42 sub panel.
This was taken before tyinging into the mains for this segment
Very tidy looking job! Mine is a bit more of a “Rats Nest” but only because I didn’t use any terminal blocks, pig tailing my busses together and used, seemingly, heaver wire (# 14 stranded).
What size wire do you have connecting the PM 42 to the terminal blocks?
#20 stranded the green is the #10 ground bus
I did the same thing used terminal blocks. I used #14 for the ground wire, #22 for all other connections.
Works great!
Tom
Before someone chimes in about the small size of the wire - keep in mind it is a SHORT run from the PM42 to the terminal strip. The voltage drop here is neglible. The whole point of the terminal strip is to allow the connection of the proper heavier gauge wire to run out around the railroad. Those little pins ont he PM42 connector can’t take #12 wire. They can take #18 if you are VERY careful and skilled, #20 or #22 works MUCH easier for most people.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the voltage drop is related to the current - the more current the greater the loss. And while the input tot he PM42 may be powered by a huge 10 amp booster, the max current that can flow in each output leg is limited to whatever trip current that section is set to.
George isn’t going to blow up, he’s done things in exactly the right way.[:D]
–Randy
I am going to FRAME THIS, that is one in a row!!![:D]
Got a real pain now, tried using an MRC autoReverse, it is not of the better quality.
Problem:
It BUZZES and ANY loco in the district that this is supposed to reverse moves WITH OUT the throttle, heck it moves when NOT selected. Disconnect the auto reverse and all is happy. Tony’s PSrev is perfect on the other rev sections. Other than to trash it any ideas?
I got this thing for free when I ordered a ton of stuff from the LHS to get on the clubs good side. Yes Right, $1,500.00 order and he gave as a 15% discount insted of the normal 10%. Thought he would at least match the LHS in Florida at 25% or just Trains at almost 30%. Live and Learn.
Dunno about the MRC auto-reverse. I don’t think it should be buzzing though, not when there are no trains. Maybe you have a wire mixed up somewhere? And if they move when not selected - sounds like DC is getting on the track and the decoders are seeing it and running. I don’t see how that oculd happen unless the auto-reverser is miswired. Or dead.
–Randy
May it rest in peace. Going to send it to MRC I guess. I wi***ony’s woould get more in stock!
Thanks Randy and all who responded.
Randy wrote:
“The voltage drop here is neglible” and “Those little pins ont he PM42 connector can’t take #12 wire. They can take #18 if you are VERY careful and skilled, #20 or #22 works MUCH easier for most people.”
JB says:
This is true! And short runs do make a difference regarding voltage drop. I however, was concerned about a drop and also pig-tailed all my buss wires without the use of a terminal block, which just seemed more simple, straight forward under my circumstances.
I used # 14 on the pins PM 42…Yes, you must be careful and have a steady hand. Also of importance is to tin everything (wire and the pin) first and then solder the wire to the pin.