I am currently on my first HO scale layout. The layout size is 4’ x 8’. I am starting fairly basic with a oval with a couple branch lines and 4 switches. I am using MRC DCC prodigy advance for power etc. I have read the instructions that came with the DCC unit but I am still unclear about a few things. I understand how to hook up the power from the pack to the track terminal. Do I need to hook up any more power feeders to my track other than the one to my terminal track with a layout this size using this DCC system? If I need another power feed how do I hook up two or more?
Most likely, you will need more feeders. Most people run a power bus (two wires from the DCC unit) and attach feeders to that. There is a lot of debate about often you need feeders. Some say as often as every 3’ of track, the compromise seems to be about every 6’.
I’m not familiar with the Prodigy Advance, but assuming it has short circuit protection, you can place a coin or strip of wire across the rails. If it trips the short protection in the unit, you are okay. If not, you need an additional set of feeders. Keep adding them until a short anywhere will trip the protection.
Most people solder the feeders to the outside of the rails. If you haven’t permanently laid the track yet, you can also buy terminal rail joiners or solder wires to the bottom of your rail joiners.
Can you ever have too many power feeders? Please explain in more detain the power bus thing… The two wires that come from the power pack go into bus then onto the track in different locations?
Most of the posts on the forum advise track feeds at approximately every 36 inches to deliver both power and DCC signal to all areas. Rail joiners even if soldered may not give you the continuity you will want.
The way this is accomplished is to run a pair of “buss” wires from your DCC unit around the lay out and tap off the “busses” for the north and south feeders where required.
You may want to lay down your track with the appropriate joiners (possibly soldered) and run the layout to see where your problems may be. Gremlins like oxidation between the rail joiners and the rail may appear later that will/may require attention or additiional feeders.
DCC can over come so many of the old DC problems, but having too many track feeders is not a bad thing.
Welcome to the forum, ask questions, and hopefully avoid the mistakes that the vast amount of knowledge here can provide. Good luck, have fun “playing” with trains, and enjoy the hobby.
Will
Maybe the word “buss” confuses you. A buss is just a wire that you connect to wherever you need the electricity that is on that wire. Just take the two outputs from your controller, attach a wire to each, and fasten them under your layout roughly following the mainline track above them. #14 wire would be good. Every 3’-6’ attach lighter gauge feeder wires to them which go up to the two rails above. Don’t attach the far ends of the buss wires back to the controller. Just dead end them when they get back close to the controller.
Read this thread, and return for the test…
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36389
Busteed, go the General Forum and look up the thread regarding using #14 gauge wire for track feeders. It was at least the 14th when I saw it last. It has an EXCELLENT discussion on track feeders, buss wire sizes, how many, how far apart, etc. There were at least 4 pages the last time I checked.