Need Help - Beginner!

That should do it. The trolley should reverse at each bumper. Have fun!

i believe i understand your concern.  for a better picture of where the power is going, your diagram should include the motor which feeds off the center rail and completes the "loop" through either or both outside rails.  that is the path of the current.

if you can spare 12 more feet of wire (6' x 2) it would be better to feed the track from the center so the very small voltage drops to both ends will be equal.

cheers...gary

Hello,

If you are using Lionel tubular track, you can just use a lock-on to power the track.  Run 2 wires from your power supply to the lock-on.

If you are using Lionel Fastrack, you can use a terminal section that has wires attached to it that would go to your power supply.

Good luck, Ron.

If the rail joints are clean and tight, additional power feeds are unnecessary for that length of track.

If using Fastrack you certainly don't need to use an overpriced terminal section. You just need some .110" spade connectors to hook up to most longer pieces of track.

All of the above is correct - you should be fine with wiring per your sketch. To answer your specific concern:

"However, I have a feeling this will not complete the circuit and the trolley will not run with the set-up above.  If my feeling is correct, then I assume the best solution to complete the circuit is to run a red and black wire from the one bumper to the other..."

The trolley itself is what completes the circuit!

Alex

It may not hurt to tie the two outside rails together...thus both outside rails are (black wire) ground and center is (red) positive.  As the trolley hits the bumpers, it can bounce around a bit...this would provide some  additional points of contact.   It will depend on the track system you use...but typically, a solder connect underneath the track will accomplish this trick.

CCGK,

   1st let me welcome you to the OGR, the best forum on the Net.  Lots of good knowledge people here to help you on just about any aspect of our hobby.

Your diagram is correct, use a decent size Transformer to power your Bumper Car Layout, and you will be fine.  I have one myself about 10' -12' in length and use an old Lionel KW Transformer to power my different Street Cars, Fire Cars & Custom made Bumper Cars,  I use FasTrack and have reworked a couple of 60's type lighted bumpers for each end of the track. As suggested I run the electrical drop from about the middle of the 10' - 12' FasTrack span, note the wire running along the 3rd level trestle, under the Tweety & Sylvester Bumper Car.  Real easy to set up!

PCRR/Dave

Depending on the track used, common connections to both outside rails will produce better electrical continuity.  It's very simple to jumper the outside rails with a short piece of wire.  It will give critters with traction tires and small footprints better ability to pass current.  I'd also recommend feeding power to both ends of the 12' run.  This will help reduce future continuity issues at track joints. 

Otherwise, using track like GarGraves or Atlas, with isolated outside rails, can allow you to use an unpowered rail to produce more sophisticated circuitry in the future, should you wish to drive signals or activate accessories.

Bruce

Thank you to everyone who responded; my concerns have been answered!!  

I believe I will do 2 things:

1. Connect a small wire to power both outside rails
2. Connect the red and black wires at the middle of the shelf