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Post by lmadsen on Jan 20, 2024 21:38:57 GMT
I have 2 questions: First I am running a fairly long layout and need to get more power further from the controller. how I do that? Secondly one of my tracks is activating the whistle on the tender as soon as I turn on the power. Don't know why this is happening. Thanks
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 20, 2024 21:53:43 GMT
I have 2 questions: First I am running a fairly long layout and need to get more power further from the controller. how I do that? Secondly one of my tracks is activating the whistle on the tender as soon as I turn on the power. Don't know why this is happening. Thanks
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Post by rtraincollector on Jan 21, 2024 0:39:38 GMT
Also how big is your layout and what do you have as a transformer
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Post by dctrainguy on Jan 23, 2024 14:25:49 GMT
So i noticed in the past with my dad’s old layout that was 25’X10’ and now with doing test runs on my new layout, you need to make sure your connections between tracks is good. With gargrave track I used in the past and now you sometimes need to tap the track togather. Especially on the turns. What also helps, if you take a small piece of solid #14 and you solder it to each track at the connection point. It helps out.
Also as said above going 6-8’ with your drops helps as well.
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Post by healey36 on Jan 23, 2024 14:52:06 GMT
Having drops every 6-8 feet is critical. Using some sort of electrical bus running around the underside that can be tapped for power is handy. My wiring is pretty archaic...I need to practice what I preach.
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Post by superwarp1 on Jan 23, 2024 19:57:28 GMT
14 AWG bus wiring with 18-20 feeders from the track down to the bus wires. I would say every 4-6 feet, shorter around switches. What's your transformer?
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Post by curtis on Jan 24, 2024 1:13:24 GMT
Here is a question no one has asked and it will make a difference. Are you running strictly Legacy and Conventional or maybe someday adding DCS?
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Post by atsda on Jan 24, 2024 1:51:01 GMT
lmadsen, all good advice above. Short distances between track power connections, use 14 AWG wire transformer to bus and beyond, if you are using older tubular track, check the pin and track connections,that they are not resistive, use a transformer that is at least 150W to deliver track power, if you have an appreciable number of switches, run them off another transformer using the constant voltage feature. Go aroung the layout with it powered to check voltage probelm areas. Run engines to see what the voltage drop and amps are. Alfred
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