DCC Layout Wiring Assistance Needed

[bc6]

Well I think Im ready to start wiring layout for DCC. Currently I have one set of feeders on my layout so running my trains is really limited & I want to change that. I think I want to go with terminal blocks or strips, Im not sure which are better but would appreciate some advice in this department thanks. 

[peteski]

How big is the layout?
How many engines (and/or track-powered illuminated passenger cars) are you planning on running at the same time?
Next 2 questions assume that your layout is large enough to do them.
Are you planning on running everything from one booster?
Are you planning on dividing the layout into separate circuit-breaker protected districts?

If you have small and simple which runs reliably right now, there is a chance that if you just replace the DC throttle with DCC booster, everything will run well.  On small layouts DCC installation is really simple.  You might run into some small problems like engines stalling on switches (on certain brands of switches with certain engines). But I think you shouldn't even worry about any of this stuff until the problems actually show up.

Of course if you want to follow best practices for reliable operation, you should have most of the rail joints soldered (leaving few expansion gaps) and then put feeders on every section of track which has the expansion gaps.

As far as how to hook things up, do what you feel most comfortable with. Terminal blocks are fine. You could also run a heavy gauge (12, 14 or 16 ga.) 2-wire bus following the track under the layout then solder rail feeders directly from the track to the bus (stripping the insulation from the bus wires of course). Again, if this is a small layout, a bus would be an overkill.

[bc6]

How big is the layout?
How many engines (and/or track-powered illuminated passenger cars) are you planning on running at the same time?
Next 2 questions assume that your layout is large enough to do them.
Are you planning on running everything from one booster?
Are you planning on dividing the layout into separate circuit-breaker protected districts?

If you have small and simple which runs reliably right now, there is a chance that if you just replace the DC throttle with DCC booster, everything will run well.  On small layouts DCC installation is really simple.  You might run into some small problems like engines stalling on switches (on certain brands of switches with certain engines). But I think you shouldn't even worry about any of this stuff until the problems actually show up.

Of course if you want to follow best practices for reliable operation, you should have most of the rail joints soldered (leaving few expansion gaps) and then put feeders on every section of track which has the expansion gaps.

As far as how to hook things up, do what you feel most comfortable with. Terminal blocks are fine. You could also run a heavy gauge (12, 14 or 16 ga.) 2-wire bus following the track under the layout then solder rail feeders directly from the track to the bus (stripping the insulation from the bus wires of course). Again, if this is a small layout, a bus would be an overkill.

The layout is 36 x 90 hcd & based on the Kato Manning Oaks plan. Im thinking I'll have 6 locos ready to run maybe 4 actually running, I dont plan on having any illuminated passenger cars anytime soon on my layout. Right now what I have is a NCE starter set which is attached to one of my loops in the layout. I think I can run everything from what I have now but Im not sure. I think doing circuit  breaker protected districts is overkill for this layout.. Hopefully I 'll be able to upload a plan with my modifications soon. I agree with you that a bus is overkill  since the layout is small. This is what my layout look minus the cartoonish proportions lol.

[mmyers]

Did you put terminal feeders at the places marked on Kato's plan? That"s a good place to start. After that, I'd add a pair of feeders on the inside oval at the same point as those on the outside oval. Then I'd add a pair to each of the sidings. Use Kato's junction blocks and wire extensions to join them all so that you have a single pair of wires to connect to the booster. 
I worked on a similar sized layout a few years ago in M. B. Klein's showroom. There are 6 pairs of feeders. The oval has 4 roughly one pair per quarter of the main line. One pair each per siding. We used all Kato off the rack wires because they didn't want to use anything that could not be purchased in the store. It's connected it to a Digitrax 5 amp system. I was in there on Saturday. Layout ran fine and just for the heck of it, I short tested it at several points. Worked every time.

Martin Myers

[bc6]

Did you put terminal feeders at the places marked on Kato's plan? That"s a good place to start. After that, I'd add a pair of feeders on the inside oval at the same point as those on the outside oval. Then I'd add a pair to each of the sidings. Use Kato's junction blocks and wire extensions to join them all so that you have a single pair of wires to connect to the booster. 
I worked on a similar sized layout a few years ago in M. B. Klein's showroom. There are 6 pairs of feeders. The oval has 4 roughly one pair per quarter of the main line. One pair each per siding. We used all Kato off the rack wires because they didn't want to use anything that could not be purchased in the store. It's connected it to a Digitrax 5 amp system. I was in there on Saturday. Layout ran fine and just for the heck of it, I short tested it at several points. Worked every time.

Martin Myers

I have not done feeders as Kato outlines as of yet Im still getting all my electrical parts together, I will place feeders where you suggest. Ive never heard of a Kato junction box can you give me a part # or a description of what it looks like. sinc eI have a 8 position terminal strip can I use that, Im not sure how the terminal strip works really so I could use some help wiring the terminal strip.




I see people running wire from one terminal to the next terminal and so on in one color which I could assume is positive. After 4 terminals of the same thing again but this time in black I could assume that is negative. Then I guess I can hook up the wires from the power panel to the same color terminals and I should have a running layout.

[bc6]

Well it looks like my theory on wiring was correct Ive currently have 2 of my ovals wired & planning on doing the sidings soon. Thanks for all of the help offered.

[mmyers]

You have figiured out the terminal strips so no sense using Kato's blocks.
For reference, here is what they look like.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/KATO-HO-N-24827-Unitrack-3-Way-Extension-Cord-p/kat-24827.htm

[bc6]

You have figiured out the terminal strips so no sense using Kato's blocks.
For reference, here is what they look like.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/KATO-HO-N-24827-Unitrack-3-Way-Extension-Cord-p/kat-24827.htm

Thanks again for your help.