Good Morning,
I am currently running CW-80's through MTH Power Blocks with 18 gauge wire on my large layout. I have it set up on a block system, with 6 blocks on each of two main lines. What do you consider to be the largest and smallest power packs that you'd consider using for this set up? I need to convert to a pure sine wave power pack, and I don't want to light the house on fire, or rewire the layout. Thanks!
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the size of your transformer really does not matter as long as it has enough power to run your trains. what you want to consider is the load your trains will be pulling in amps. a train with lighted cars and a smoke unit or 2 will draw a lot of amps. the 18 wire can only handle so many amps, so I might upgrade the wire size to handle the max amps you will be drawing. I like 14ga wire for track feeders. why pure sine wave?
I would use 14 gauge wire for the main wires and use 16 gauge up to the track from underneath the table. Use large enough wire the first time and you won't have to re-wire it.
18 gauge wire is too small!
Lee Fritz
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