18-2 solid wire (thermostat wire) for power feeds? | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum

Bob AndersonOGR Forum Member

In wiring my new layout, I've enjoyed using 18-4 solid thermostat wire for switch controls. Mine is a reasonably-sized layout (about 20' x 15'). Could I use 18-2 solid wire for 16-v power feeds to track? I run at most two simultaneous Legacy locomotives at a time. Most feeds are perhaps 15' or 20' long. Thanks for any guidance on this.

4/14/197:16 PM

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cjackOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Kind of small for 20 feet. Ok for 12 inches or so to go from connector strip up to track. Use 14 ga stranded all copper speaker wire or something like that to get to the connector.

Tom TeeOGR Forum Member

Keep the 18 for power feed drops to the buss, up to a foot or so in length. 14 would seem to be a fine gauge for your layout's buss or star considering the overall size.

Long runs of 18 can toast your muffin.

gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I have a 20 x 12.5 layout, I'm using #14 for all the bus wiring, and #18 for short drops from the track to the bus.

Bob AndersonOGR Forum Member

Thanks for the input. OK, I'll do 14-gauge for the long runs, to be safe.

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