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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Pops on February 13, 2012, 08:28:44 PM

Title: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 13, 2012, 08:28:44 PM
I keep reading to run a buss wire under the layout to get power to more than one location.  The general consensus seems, that way the trains will run better than with just one connection for power.

My layout is to be a modified "dog-bone" style, so the middle of the front track and middle of the back section of track will be close and parallel.

I notice on the EZ-Track straight terminal/re-railer that there is a plug on each side.  I assume that's to plug in the power supply on either side.  If that's the case, I assume the wiring inside that piece of track is wired straight through.

Here's my question - Can I just put a terminal/re-railer beside each other and just run a jumper wire between the two tracks to achieve the above effect?

I plan on using an NCE Power Cab for the power supply.

This seems too easy and logical to me, but I've never seen it done.  Can anyone give my some pros and/or cons for this?

Thanks     ??? ???

:-\
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Jim Banner on February 13, 2012, 08:36:37 PM
Yes, that works.  If adding the second connection causes a short, just unplug ONE end of the jumper between tracks, turn it over, and plug it back in.

Jim
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 13, 2012, 08:45:54 PM
YAHOO - thanks!
:o
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on February 13, 2012, 10:55:52 PM
Just thought I would add some pictures, the way I read your post makes me think of the lower example, the upper example is better then the bottom, but the bottom would also improve operation.

I show it going through a straight feeder then to the curves but you could also go straight to the curved feeders with the jumper between which would still be an improvement.

and then I just reread your post and looked at my own picture and understood (I think) that you just want to add another feeder straight across from the existing and link it. DOH! some times I don't see the forest for the trees
NM-Jeff

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy202/NarrowmindedRR/FEEDERS.jpg)
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy202/NarrowmindedRR/FEEDERSNotSAME.jpg)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 13, 2012, 11:45:18 PM
Thanks Jeff -
Sorry I don't know how to add drawings here, but I'll try to describe it.
It's like your top drawing, but -

From the power supply, the wire goes straight to the track, as you have shown.
Assuming the term/re-railer is there, plug in on the near side to the power supply, then plug in the other side to the straight term/re-railer right next to it. (not all the way across the layout).

Also thought it might be possible to just keep going in series to a few more if needed.  I bought a bunch of EZ Track on ebay and now have 7 terminal/re-railers.  LOL - Being fat, lazy and handicapped, I'm not looking forward to the wiring aspect, and just wanted an easy way out.

;D :-[
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on February 13, 2012, 11:51:01 PM
Yeah Like this? You were right it is so simple I tried to over complicate it.

And you can add them all in one side and out the outher as you describe.

NM-Jeff

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy202/NarrowmindedRR/POPS.jpg)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 14, 2012, 01:15:36 AM
Oh, so cool!  Thanks Jeff.
I wonder why no one's done it in any books or magazines I've read so far.
Man, anything to not have to get under the table -  ;D
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: jward on February 14, 2012, 02:13:41 AM
Quote from: Pops on February 14, 2012, 01:15:36 AM
Oh, so cool!  Thanks Jeff.
I wonder why no one's done it in any books or magazines I've read so far.
Man, anything to not have to get under the table -  ;D

probably because they are too busy patting themselves on the back for being "experts" to actually think outside the box and experiment. at one time this hobby's magazines published some really innovative ideas, but not much anymore.

one thing to watch for, using your idea, is that the parallel sections  of your dogbone are actually opposite in "polarity" so simply running a jumper between the two sections will cause a short. you have to wire it so that the inner rails are connected to each other, the same with the outer rails.
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on February 14, 2012, 02:53:47 AM
Hi jward,

Pops is using EZ track rerailer/feeders and the plugs so it will just be a matter of flipping a plug over and reinserting it as Jim mentioned.

I'm going to show my girls how to do this so they can add a couple to their set when they string it all over the house.

NM-Jeff
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 14, 2012, 03:03:14 AM
A basic ohm meter between the rails should tell me if I did it right or it needs to be flipped.

It feels really great to think I might have contributed something to this forum so soon.
::)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: phillyreading on February 14, 2012, 10:44:39 AM
Hey Pops,
I like the photo of sgt. Hans Shultz from Hogan's Heroes that you inserted.

Lee F.
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 14, 2012, 08:25:34 PM
LOL - ya, I thought it was appropriate for me.  Besides being a fan of his, his tag line fits me perfectly - "I know nuthing."

:D   ???
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 16, 2012, 12:22:46 AM
OK - Mr. Bachmann (or anyone) -

Before I start cutting and soldering wires & plugs, Is there anyway to purchase a wire with the track plugs at each end?  Can't find any listing of them anywhere.  ???

If not available now, how about a new product from Bachmann?  I'd be glad to get the first few to "test" -  ::)  Short ones could be universal, and your current extension wire would work for longer reaches.  After all, you have all the parts, no tooling needed, just assembly.

Anyone have a few extra plugs/wires laying around that you'd like to donate to the cause?  :-*

;D
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Doneldon on February 16, 2012, 03:48:04 PM
Pops-

You can purchase 10-foot extension wires with the Bachmann flat connectors on each end. (t least I think they are 10 feet long.) However, you'll pay an awful price per foot for them and sometimes you'll only need an extra couple of feet, not ten.So I suggest that you cut your existing red feeder wires and splice in whatever additional length you need. You'll save a ton of money with this simple trick. If you stagger the two splices you won't even have to insulate them from one another because they won't line up. Just use a single piece of shrink tubing, plastic electrical wire or tape.
                                                                                                                                                                     -- D
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 16, 2012, 06:47:32 PM
Thanks, but, I believe the ten foot extension does not have the same plug on each end.  I'd need the plug that goes to the track on each end.  As it is now, I'll need to purchase 2 wires to cut the track plugs off and splice.  And that would be for each jumper.

Plan B???

???
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on February 16, 2012, 06:49:14 PM
Get some crimp on female blade style connectors the 3/16 fit I think, i'll dig out one of my kids rerailer and check.


NM-Jeff
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on February 16, 2012, 06:50:47 PM
The ten foot extention is the exact same plug.

NM-Jeff
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on February 16, 2012, 06:51:20 PM
On both ends?  Cool.  Thanks

8)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on April 02, 2012, 06:15:58 PM
Well, no more replies, so I guess they'll work.  Ordered a bunch today.
;)

(fingers crossed)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Doneldon on April 02, 2012, 09:43:59 PM
Quote from: florynow on February 17, 2012, 10:18:46 PM
I always wondered why people put all of those bus wires way up under the layout when you could run them accessible like conduits in ship corridors (think like a maintneance man, I've been told) along your fascia and have at least your bus connections where you don't have to be fit enough for Cirque-du-Soleil or whatever it's called to get under the layout and do your wiring.

PF

Paul-

The disadvantage in running busses along the fascia is that feeders quickly become too
long, a real problem when one is using 22 ga or 24 ga or even smaller wire. Feeders should
be kept as short as possible. Six inches is a good maximum standard.
                                                                                                         -- D
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on April 06, 2012, 03:38:54 PM
 :(

Well, they arrived last night, and my initial suspicions were correct.  Sorry, NarrowMinded, the plugs aren't the same on both ends.  One is a male, the other female.  Looks like I'm back to the original plan - cut and splice.

Mr. B - another plea for a new product - jumper wires with the proper plug on both ends. Or at least sell the plugs by themselves.

Oh well, such are the joys of model railroading -  ;D

::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Desertdweller on April 06, 2012, 09:23:22 PM
Flory,

That Cirque-Circus was setting up in Hartford when I worked there.  They wanted $75 for the cheap seats and I saw no evidence of animals.

But, the woman who was the star acrobat came out and waved at me as my train went by!

Les
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on May 17, 2012, 03:30:50 PM
How can I find out what size the wire is, on the EZ track jumper cables.
It's very small - 22?  24?

??? ???
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Doneldon on May 17, 2012, 08:00:55 PM
Pops-

What do you mean by EZ track jumper cables?

                                                             -- D
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on May 18, 2012, 05:09:57 PM
Sorry   :-[     wrong name -

They are listed as   10' Red Terminal Extension Wire, Part No. 44498

Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Doneldon on May 18, 2012, 06:45:02 PM
Pops-

Thanx. Those wires are prety small. I would guess awg 26, certainly
no bigger than #24. I'd go bigger for a 10'+ run.
                                                                                                     -- D
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Jerrys HO on May 18, 2012, 07:07:04 PM
Pop's,
I use door bell wire which I believe is 18 gauge.  26 way to small in my opinion.

Jerry
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: mf5117 on May 19, 2012, 10:55:43 AM
Just splice the females of 2 of the red extension cable Being you already have them , I did this with my upper dog bone . I thought the same thing when I bought them ,but had to resort to the slicing and everything power wise worked out well . I have a small dcc layout and have never noticed my locos bogging down from lack of power.
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on May 20, 2012, 01:00:04 PM
Thanks guys - appreciate the input.

:)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on May 20, 2012, 01:26:09 PM
QuoteSorry, NarrowMinded, the plugs aren't the same on both ends.  One is a male, the other female.

I'm sorry,
I'm not sure where I got this cord if its not the 10' extension it has the flat connectors on both ends. maybe there's a different name for it?

I think I got some like you want in the reverse loop module but they are shorter then 10'

NM-Jeff
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on May 20, 2012, 03:17:19 PM
No problem.
They do have flat plugs on both ends, it's just one's a male and the other female.

::)
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: NarrowMinded on May 20, 2012, 03:33:50 PM
Did you try pulling the male parts out?


NM-Jeff
Title: Re: Wiring Short Cut?
Post by: Pops on May 21, 2012, 03:05:00 PM
Nope .  .   .   but I will 

:-[ :-[ :-[           :o