Zephyr on Layout

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Ok now to the questions…

If I have this kind of track…http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/554.JPG

under the Engine shed in the staging yard…(box on staging yard) will my Zephyr be able to hook up to it?

Will it be able to power the rest of the layout?

2

BUMP [banghead]

3

Sure, you could hook the Zephyr up to it. But would it power the rest of the layout? Odds are it wouldn’t run very well no matter what you powered it with. Additional feeders would be strongly recommended for at least a couple of reasons:

  1. Even nickle-silver rail has higher resistance than copper wire, so the voltage drop at the far end of the layout would be significant.
  2. Rail joints are weak links in the chain of current flow. This may be less true for soldered rail joints, but either way, by locating your single feeders at one end of the layout you are putting the maximum number of rail joints between those feeders and the far end of the layout.

If you insist on using only one set of feeders, at the very least put them where the middle of the track would be if it were a straight line. On your diagram, that looks like it would be the lower-right side, maybe near the top of the lake/pond.

But again, for reliable, trouble-free operation I would strongly suggest more feeders. Going back to your diagram, if it were my layout, at the minimum I’d add a pair to each of the seven shorter spurs, probably two pairs on the long spur going up the right side, and two pairs along each six-foot side of the main.

Remember, wiring your layout when you’re building it is easy. Going back and tearing up scenery and weathered, ballasted track to re-wire it because it doesn’t run well is a lot more work.

HTH,
Steve

4

Could you explain “feeders” to me and how to install them and costs…ETC.

Thanks!

5

Feeders are additional pairs of wires that “feed” power to your track. They are usually soldered to your track about every 6’ and are around 22 gauge in size. This eliminates voltage drop and weak/dead spots in your track. On small layouts (IE 4’x8’) they can be run right to your DCC system. On larger layouts you need to run an additional set of larger wires (around 12 gauge) called “buss” wires. These usually run in a loop pattern under your layout and the feeder wires tie into these buss wires. These larger wires carry the power better with less resistance. The rule of thumb is to limit your feeder wires to around 3’ in length.

Only one end of the buss wires needs to connect to the track output of your DCC system. Does that make sense?

6

Nice explanation! Is there a place to connect the feeders to the Zephyr?

7

They would connect to whatever terminals on your Zepher feed power to your layout. I think they might be marked “main” but don’t quote me on that. I’m still on DC. I’m sure your user manual would tell which to use. From looking at your layout drawing you might be able to get away without using buss wires. If you put your DCC system at the “L” portion of your layout and maybe went with 18 or 20 gauge feeder wires I think you’d be OK. It doesn’t look like your feeders would be too long. Make sure you run a set of feeders to each siding as mentioned above.

8

Do the feeders go under the track? Would you be able to see them on the layout?

9

I drilled small holes (1/8") through the layout board next to each rail (on the outside of the rail)and ran them up from underneath. I removed 2-3 ties at each section and soldered them right to the rail. Don’t solder your wires to the inside of the rails. This will interfere with your wheel flanges. You can then slide ties back under when your done. This is done so you don’t melt the plastic ties with the soldering iron. I screwed eyelets to the under side of my board and strung my wires through those. A staple gun would work to.

10

Thanks! I can’t believe how well you explained this.

11

Glad I could help. Now it’s bed time for Bonzo.[|)]