How/Where do you route your feeder wires? I saw one example that ran them from the track to the side of the layout in a thin notch cut in the foam, then covered with ground cover. I was wondering why not just drill a hole next to the track and drop them straight down? (Assumption: the entire layout surface is foam.) Having never done this, I decided to asked the experienced/experts.
I believe almost everyone drills holes next to tHe rails. If the power bus wires generfollowing under the track this will result in shorter feeder wires.
That’s for me. I run the bus down the length of the layout, and then drop feeders through holes in the foam base. This results in shorter feeder wires, which is better in theory but doesn’t matter much practically.
But, while we’re on the subject of best practices, my best advice is to color-code your track bus and feeder wires. Also, use a Sharpie and label stuff underneath, particularly when you’re doing something a bit unusual like a reverse loop where you don’t want just any feeder hooked up, regardless of it’s color.
If I were a bettin’ man, I’d bet 10 guys I know how they run their feeders and I’d win nine times. I’d bet they drill and drop.
The only time it might be best to run your feedes to the edge is if you have a portable layout, especially on a hollow core door, and do not want wires hanging underneath. Otherwise, I’d drop them straight down through the layout.
Have fun,
Richard
Perfect, drill and drop it is.
N-Scale as well here. I drill and drop through the foam. In the yard area (or other areas with multiple track) I’ll run them to a barrier strip. Then a set of ‘intermediate feeders’ from teh barrier strip to the bus.
Mike
I drill and drop through 1/2" plwood to the bus wires, essentially right below the track.
Rich
I prefer to do my wiring beneath the layout, so drill & drop is the norm. However, I have a subway, so sometimes that is not possible.
I drill and drop and use ScotchLok #905 IDC’s (insulation displacement connectors) better known as suitcase connectors to my 14 guage bus. I attatch to the track using 22 gauge wire about 3 inches long and then up size each drop to 18 gauge wire and then into the IDC. Non of my drops to the bus are longer than 18 inches. Except for the IDC’s everything I do is soldered together. Doug
While length of feeder wires makes drill and drop the preferred method many of us older guys would prefer running them to the front edge of the layout. This avoids having to bend and stoop under the layout, makes them readily accessible and easier to solder. On a shelf layout like mine I would try this if I had it to do over again.
LION puts his bus wires (and all other wires) directly on the fascia of the layout. LION does not like crawling under layouts, and especially does not like getting hot solder in his nice soft fur. So a hole to drop the wire down from the track, and a hole in the fascia to bring the wire to the bus.
BUT… (hehehehe) LION also has a table o top of a table. The old pingpong tables were already raised to the proper height, but LION needed this part of the layout to be taller still, so him built a 2’x8’ tablelet about 6" tall to put the station on. The way the LION built this thing, it is impossible to just drill down, since that would only reach the inaccesible void between the tables. LION got a LOOOONG drill bit, and drilled through both tables, and then him inserted a drinking straw as a wire tube so that him could get the wires to the bottom of the table. With a Long hook, him can draw them up to the far fascia where him can wire things to his hearts content, and never have to venture under a table.
ROAR
If you’re track is on plywood, it’s usually just drilling a small hole next to the rails. I found an easy way to run them through foam. I made a “sewing needle” using a wire hanger. After straightening the hanger, I put a point on one end using a bench sander. I hammer the opposite end flat with a hammer and the anvil on my bench vise. I drill two holes in that end. Then, it’s simply a matter of stripping a short length of wire and threading it like thread in a needle. Give it a couple of twists to keep it in place, push it through the foam and pull it through from underneath.
Curiousity Question: How does anyone here – Use terminal strips in addition and/or or in lieu of soldering the feeder wires?
tgindy, not sure what you are asking here.
How are you using terminal strips with feeders?
Rich
Hi Rich – Just thinking out loud – Example: To perhaps run a main wire to outlying layout section(s) before feeders and maybe eliminate some of the soldering. I’m getting closer to benchwork, and Mr. Beasley’s and Lion’s posts above got me thinking…
tgindy
My layout is 4’ wide. I put terminal strips in the middle of it’s length. Power was routed to the strips and from them I ran 3 bus wires in opposite directions, one down each edge and one in the middle. That way I got even power distribution and all of the track is close to a bus.
Bob
Like this:
Hi
I use terminal strips however I strip enough wire to go under both screws.
I run my wiring through the board then to the isle edge and run the wiring as much as practical along the inside of the facia board where its easy to get at.
The feeder wires are generaly very thin so I get that into a larger main feed wire as close as paractical to the track.
I wil not use suit case conectors I have had to many problems with them so I don’t trust them if I need to T off its iether a screwd terminal block or soldered joint.
People running DCC should not even think about suit case conectors.
Where ever possable soldering is done on the work bench its not nice geting dripped on by the stuff.
regards John
I think some are missing the point here. Richard just wants to build a test (very small) layout. Absolutly just drill and drop to the feeder. IDC’s will give him the quickest and easiest way to connect to a bus. Also I personaly and others that I know have been using them for years, Crimping is most important done properly. I also use terminal strips for routing purposes but Richard just wants to build a test. Doug