What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Thank you.  One footnote:  Gardner-Bender ring terminals for 18-22 AWG, #4-6 stud widths are what I used.  Now, the wire is actually 14 AWG.  It fits but it is (supposedly) too large.  If you use the proper sized ring terminals, even those for #4-6 studs, they are too wide to fit the slide-switch slots.  The fit is poor, resulting in a bad connection, and they will not work (the signal will not be passed)!

George

Thanks, 'diesel.  I think sharing what's been learned is a great part of the hobby.  I have certainly benefited from that. 

Here's the issue I was talking about just 2 posts above.  The first photo shows the ring terminal (#4-6 stud) for 14-16 AWG wire. As you can see, it does not fit in the slot for the switch; does not seat properly. The second is the ring terminal (#4-6 stud) for 18-22 AWG wire. The wire I am using is 16 AWG.

To celebrate all the progress, I ran a 12 car ore train using the long tender Decapod.

More when I know it.

George

The panel will sit on a slightly raised podium 24" wide. The drawing is 16" wide, leaving room for a CAB-1 and a small notepad. I used RR-Track to make the track diagram, exported it to a Bitmap format, and imported it into Paint 3-D. There it was elongated a bit and then printed onto an 11"x17" piece of paper using my Brother printer.

I cut the sheet and then had it laminated at Staples. I ended up applying some labeling tape to 2 spots and test-fitting DZ-2502P push-buttons.

Here's a closer look at the left (exit) side of the Staging Area. The indicator lights of the push-buttons will be strategically placed over the tracks, showing the active path.

I used spray adhesive to glue the laminated plastic to the craft plywood underneath. Tomorrow I will try to drill holes for the push-button's wires.

More when I know it. 

George

Here's the underside of the double cross-over. You can see track power (brown Scotchlok 567 connectors) buses as well as the switch bus (red Scotchlok 558 connectors). I used Posi-Lock connectors for all the other wiring connections.

Here's the panel flipped upside down for wiring.

And here's the other (back) side of the panel. The left side has AC power to the push-buttons. The right side has everything connected.

Here's my double cross-over with 1 leg (2 opposing switches) thrown. Note the red lights on the DZ-2500s.

Here's the panel I used to throw them. The push-buttons closed to the camera have both lights lit because no wire to the switch machines has been installed.

We'll try to finish this up tomorrow.

More when I know it.

George

It certainly can be tedious, especially when you run out of the right stuff at the wrong moment.  Today, I was on track to finish wiring the panel but ran out of 20 AWG stranded wire (in white). Casting about locally for some got me the phone equivalent of the SDL (Standard Dumb Look) - "Whatya want that for?" None of the usual sources carried anything that small. I ended up ordering it from a trusted supplier (Waytek Wire), but it's at least 3 days out.

I did manage to get 4 of the 6 switch activating push-buttons on the left side of the panel connected.

George