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A few track questions (Atlas)

ZettZettOGR Forum Member

I am in the process of hooking up my first loop to my DCS and had a question or 2. I am using #14 stranded wire. I purchased a roll of black and red, because the paired wire was $50 more. Each run of wire from the terminal block to the track is exactly the same length. Right now I am powering the center rail and one outside rail. My questions are:

 

1. Is everyone adding a common connection 1 outside rail or 2?

2. Not using paired wire should not effect me negatively in any way correct?

3. I am currently losing power when an engine crosses a 90 degree crossover. For those that have had issues with Atlas track, is it best to just power both sides of switches and crossovers? Right now for my loop I am only using 4 of 12 available spots on my terminal block. Is it better just to double that and power the loop using 8?

 

Thanks for your help!

Original Post
prrhorseshoecurveprrhorseshoecurveOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

1. Is everyone adding a common connection 1 outside rail or 2?

I use both a power and areturn drop in all my track connections. I will only use one side of the Outside rail and leave the other for later acessory activations[ signals, crossings, automatic whistle blowing,etc]

 

2. Not using paired wire should not effect me negatively in any way correct?

So long as you have a "standard" color coding for your wiring. you don't want to connect the power feed to the outside rail.

 

3. I am currently losing power when an engine crosses a 90 degree crossover. For those that have had issues with Atlas track, is it best to just power both sides of switches and crossovers?

YES! Take the extra time and drop in power feeds to ALL side of crossovers & switches. You will save yourself a LOT of unwanted headaches. IF you don't,you are relying on the chinsy Mfg built in wiring that may NOT take your power load. Avoid the future issues by adding in power drops to ALL sides.


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