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Thin Branch Series: Wiring a model railroad for DCC
Very informative and easy to follow.
I find the video value to be excellent as long as there are no technical difficulties with it playing all the way through. David Popp does a great job with detailed explanations while he is working. (I mistakenly refered to him as John Popp in a previous comment). I have watched many of David’s videos over the past two seasons prior to Video Plus, and I am very impressed with his ability to model as well as articulate everything he is doing as he works. Nice Job David!
As a newbie, I read that the bus wires do better to twist them together. You show the bus bein separated by three inches. Any reason as to why one method is better than the other? I also liked how you connected you bus to the other sections rather than using marretts or something else!
I like the idea of using a cable tacker to secure loose wires. I researched cable tackers and found several different kinds with differant size staples. May I ask what kind and model do you use?
Beautiful video. Thank you, David, definitely brings the confidence needed with a wiring job for a non-expert! Will get those suitcase connectors, they really look to work great and ease the pain… Keep it up, please!
Thanks MR! 25$ well spent!
Where do we find the answers to questions? (e.g. Trevor’s on twisted bus wires.)
This was great - so straight forward and simple approach to what could be a complex issue…
Thns again
How would u wire up a oval layout
An easy to follow step-by-step instructional video. Good job!
Gotta try those suit as connectors.
Robert. Radio Shack sells electronics manuals for varying levels of ability (us.) They thoroughly cover every topic that may sound like witchcraft (basics of soldering, heatsinks, etc.) to complex circuits and components, in very plain language that can give a hesitant modeler a confidence boost. This often gets someone over the hump and willing to take their modeling to the next level. The bottom line is that everyone is more talented than they think they are.
Best of luck.
Robert and Trevor–I addressed your questions in my new book “Wiring Your Model Railroad” available from Kalmbach books. I also talked about twisted pair wiring in my DCC Corner column in the May 2015 Model Railroader.
Larry Puckett
Model Railroader
Contributing Editor
Hello MRVP staff. I have been watching your wiring videos a lot and I notice one thing in common is the use of the cable taker. Can you give us the name of it and part number? I have been searching high and low for one and can only find the ones that shoot horse shoe staples and not the one you use that has the arch. Please help. Thank you
One I noticed you didn’t do, was twist the buss wires…everything I’ve read about DCC wiring says you should have at least one twist per ft, 2-3 would be better…Is that because it was such a short run?
Mike
David, Marvelous as usual. But, my problem with the DCC learning curve is hooking the bus wires up to the DCC system components. Like Elijah Bates inquired two years ago, HOW DO YOU WIRE AN OVAL? No one explains this. My layout is large, but it basically is a oval with a center twist over. An oval, nonetheless. Right now, both ends of of my double track main line buses are dangling at the DCC control component area. I am testing the track with standard DC power packs attached to one end of each of the two bus lines with alligator clips. After two years of frustration of getting no further than this, I must ask again, HOW DO YOU WIRE AN OVAL for DCC? Is this such a secret that no one wants to divulge what happens beyond a linear diagram? Who do I have to give free passes to? I have four books on DCC wiring and NONE OF THEM talk about this (simple?) procedure. I’m 60! I’ve been model railroading for 50 years. I’m finally building my dream layout after four DC layouts in the past. I’ve only got another 40 good railroading years left. I’ve got $1,200.00 in DCC equipment ready to go just sitting collecting dust; and, a bunch of people wondering why they never get to see trains run. HELP! DixiesHawk@gmail.com
Ovals aren’t all that mysterious as long as you follow one basic rule, don’t make them continuous. You can hook up your power bus wires to the booster and then run them out under the layout following the route of the track above. Connect feeders to the rails as you would for a straight track. Now let’s look at the loop of track. Provide a break in both rails in at least one location, by either cutting through them or connecting them with insulated rail joiners. This in effect creates one long piece of track, which just happens to be in a circle. It would be best to divide the loop in at least two locations and install two power buses, one under each of the two sections of loop. For a very large layout like Randy’s it would be good to use a couple DCC Specialties’ Power Saver power managers (PSX2) to electrically isolate the two blocks you have created by dividing the loop into two sections. For more on using power savers and wiring pick up a copy of my book “Wiring Your Model Railroad” available from Kalmbach (kalmbachhobbystore.com).
Larry Puckett
Contributing Editor
Model Railroader
www.dccguy.com
No need to post this: Larry, Thank You, Sir. “Don’t make it continuous.” That’s the one single answer I couldn’t get out of anyone. I’ve been held up for a year and a half by it. I’m back in business! All my best, Randy