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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Axle on August 18, 2017, 10:17:48 AM

Title: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Axle on August 18, 2017, 10:17:48 AM
Newbie with ez track wiring.
I am short a couple of feet of green wire on three of me ez track turnouts but I done what
To purchase the green 10' extension wire the Bachmann sells. Can I splice the three green
Switch wires with different wire and what gauge would I need.
Any suggestion would be help full.
Thanks
Axle
Title: Re: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Len on August 18, 2017, 11:12:59 AM
In the past I've picked up cheap 3-conductor extenstion cords (16-3), cut the ends off, and spliced them in using wire nuts.

Len
Title: Re: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Alez on August 18, 2017, 03:23:16 PM
Hello Len
Is this 3-conductor exstension cord the same as telephone wire.
Axle
Title: Re: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Len on August 18, 2017, 07:46:16 PM
Quote from: Alez on August 18, 2017, 03:23:16 PM
Hello Len
Is this 3-conductor exstension cord the same as telephone wire.
Axle

No, it's a power extension cord something like this:

(http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/4a/4a4c439c-cfd7-4265-9135-1c861f824a32_1000.jpg)

Cost is around $6.00, and with 8ft of wire you can extend a number of turnout controls.

Len
Title: Re: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Alez on August 19, 2017, 06:28:19 AM
Len
That's a good idea I will check it out.
Thanks
Alez
Title: Re: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Alez on August 19, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
Len or anyone
Will telephone cable work just a will as 16-3 cable?
Alez
Title: Re: Extending ez track turnout wiring
Post by: Len on August 19, 2017, 03:45:13 PM
Stranded telephone wire is usually 24ga, which is a bit on the light side for the current involved. Solid telephone wire is 22ga, but is prone to break inside the insulation when flexed. Personally, I only use stranded wire, and nothing smaller than 20ga.

Len