power

mutzOGR Forum Member

hi everyone i am new to layout construction i anm 90 percent done with bench work and have learned alot on the forum get resource of knowledge i am turning my focus on track plan and wiring by board in 16 feet by 17 feet U design with 30 inch walk way in middle i will be running fastrack command switches and would love to do 3 loops with sidings and trainyards now here come the question do you think i need more power the a zw-l for just my track i also have a couple PW zw for everything else like lights and accessories

5/13/2111:03 AM

❤️ 0

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I think you'll be fine with a ZW-L for the track power. I have a 24 x 12 layout and I'm using four PH180 bricks, and I suspect I have at least 2x or more the power I actually need.

5/13/211:19 PM

❤️ 0

mutzOGR Forum Member

thank you i have another question about wiring should i split the layout in 2 districts or buy loops ?

5/13/211:29 PM

❤️ 0

gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Divide up the four outputs of the ZW-L the way you see power being used. If you have three mainlines and then sidings, that might be a logical way to split the four outputs. You have to divide the power based on the specifics of the layout.

I have a long folded dogbone main of 140 feet of track, that is on one PH180 transformer. I have a turntable and access loop, that is on one PH180. I have two smaller track loops that I can either run something on or park trains on, they are on a PH180. Finally, I have all my sidings in several areas, all of those share one PH180 and the individual tracks are all switched so I can power up only the siding that I want to use.

Here's what it looks like now.