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Author Topic: Wiring modules  (Read 1454 times)

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unittrain

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Wiring modules
« on: October 08, 2009, 03:30:13 PM »
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I'm getting to the point of being finished with track laying and I'm ready to start wiring my modules. I've already put the ballast down
on almost all the track so I was wondering if it is ok to solder the feeders to the side of the rail? I should have considered the bottom but now that the track is down and the ballast that could be a problem! Also since each track is composed of 1 full piece of flex track and a 6" piece connected with rail joiners I assume I will have to connect a feeder to both track sections?
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Zox

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Re: Wiring modules
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2009, 05:28:58 PM »
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Yes, you can solder the feeder wires to the sides of the rails. (The outside sides, obviously.) :) In fact, that seems to be the preferred method for some modelers, and as you point out it's about the only way to do it once the track is laid.

And while you're soldering the feeder wires, you might as well solder the rail joiners as well--then you'll only need the one set of feeders.

(I'm a disaster waiting to happen with a soldering iron. So if I can do it, just about anyone can...)
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Rob M., a.k.a. Zox
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mmyers

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Re: Wiring modules
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2009, 08:46:34 PM »
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Are these NTRAK modules?  The ideal connection is feeders every two feet and extra feeds on every piece of rail that's not soldered to a rail with feeders.
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unittrain

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Re: Wiring modules
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2009, 03:32:15 PM »
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No they won't be for running with N-trak modules I have prototype track centers and all. The straight track modules are 4' long
I used 1 full 36" long piece of flex and a 6" pc  to go across the module and the modules will join with a small 3" piece of track on each end.
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mmyers

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Re: Wiring modules
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2009, 05:12:20 AM »
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I'd still use at least two sets of feeders. They really should have been soldered before ballasting. You will need to get the side of the rail clean enough to solder and that will be harder now.
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John

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Re: Wiring modules
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2009, 07:00:42 AM »
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A good chunk of my current layout is 4 foot "modular" construction .. just in case I might ever want to rebuild  ;D

I put at least one feeder per rail every 4 feet on it.
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unittrain

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Re: Wiring modules
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2009, 12:07:24 PM »
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Ya I should have thought about soldering to the bottom before I jumped in :-\  It would have been much better appearance wise!
This is my first layout I've been collecting locomotives and cars for 9 years and am just getting to finishing up track laying on the layout!!
So I was kinda of happy about finally being able to build and kinda jumped in a little fast there is so much to learn in this hobby so many different skills are involved from wood working all the way to photography which makes it a very educational hobby!
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