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I'm sure this has been posted many times before but I'm looking to rewire my layout. I want to use the bus wire method. Would using speaker wire and suitcase connectors do the job? My dad wired his layout that way and is pleased with how it turned out. I have DCS and Legacy. Running fastrack powered by an MRC pure power dual transformer. My layout is 4X16. 

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 That is correct. Bus wiring is not recommended for DCS. The preferred wiring method is "Star wiring", essentially each block of tack gets its own separate pair of wires from a terminal block Like Mth's 50-1014.

I believe there is also a recommended limit to track sections within each block.

Its best to wire your layout for DCS if using DCS, and simply add the Legacy command wire to the common. Legacy does not have a "preferred wiring style".

There have been dozens of threads regarding DCS wiring, I'd do a search. This should answer  most if not ,all of your questions.

 

OK, I don't run DCS so I can't comment on that but you may want to run more than one power lead to the track say at the most distant point from where your power feed is now. I would question some of the folks on the forum who run DCS to confirm the information that you have been told. The important thing is to get everything secure to have trouble free running of the layout and most importantly, HAVE FUN! I am glad I posted to this, as it has sparked some more info for you.

Ray

Last edited by Rayin"S"
@RickO posted:

 That is correct. Bus wiring is not recommended for DCS. The preferred wiring method is "Star wiring", essentially each block of tack gets its own separate pair of wires from a terminal block Like Mth's 50-1014.

I believe there is also a recommended limit to track sections within each block.

Its best to wire your layout for DCS if using DCS, and simply add the Legacy command wire to the common. Legacy does not have a "preferred wiring style".

There have been dozens of threads regarding DCS wiring, I'd do a search. This should answer  most if not ,all of your questions.

 

Ah alright. I have Barry's book. I'll definitely check out that section when I rewire. Thanks. 

I've DCS (and TMC) for years with a modular hirail group (Lehigh Valley HiRailers). By default you have to use buss wiring with this setup. It works. A few tricks we learned: Each track per module gets only one feed. (Modules are typically 4ft long). Insulate the center rails at each end of the module. Break the wiring harness underneath on the side of the layout opposite from the transformers. (We run big loops.) Use quality connectors between the modules. We had no issues using suitcase connectors.  All these items are designed to get a clean signal to the engines. The layout I am currently building, which is sectional, employs the same strategies.

 

Chris

LVHR

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