I know the DCS companion and MTH say not to but.... I want to save and simplify wiring... what I want to do... my freight yard mainline will have four or five blocks (it's a continuous loop)... each block will run a wire to a power distro board near the TIU (note: each will also pass thru a toggle switch at the control panel also near the TIU).... I have 12 sidings 20 feet away that I want to wire to the same TIU output... so I want those twelve sidings to connect to a 12 post power block located near the sidings 20 feet from the TIU (each siding will have a toggle switch near the frieght yard - only ONE siding will ever have it's power on at a time - even when I'm running DCS)... I then want to run one wire from the 12 post "siding" block to the block that will have the four or five posts that supply power to the mainline blocks. I would have a "magic light bulb" attached to the inputs of both power blocks. Watcha think? Can I get a way with this?
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Rick,
As long as you only have one siding powered up at at time, that should work fine. I do the same thing in my transfer table engine yard, however, I use a rotary switch rather than a bunch of toggles.
The advantage to the rotary switch is that I ensure that only one siding is powered at a time. The disadvantage is that I can only charge one engine's battery at a time.
Barry,
Thank you.... I've told you before and I'll tell you again.. your DCS Companion has been invaluable.... I'm having a blast with DCS.... great job...
Rick
each block will run a wire to a power distro board near the TIU (note: each will also pass thru a toggle switch at the control panel also near the TIU).
That's what I have. Some of them are 20'+ runs from switch to blocks. Makes no difference how many sidings I have turned on at any time, as they're all with insulated gaps in center rails.
Rick,
your DCS Companion has been invaluable.... I'm having a blast with DCS.... great job...
...and I never get tired of hearing it!