Quick DCS Wiring Question

I used a two foot drop for each block to a terminal block, and ran heavier wire from the MTH distribution block to that drop. It made it easier to remove track and also to put a TVS at each drop. 10s everywhere.

From each isolated block I dropped two feeders (16 awg stranded) then soldered 14 awg stranded from the feeders to the terminal block.  I also soldered a length of 16 awg stranded from one outside rail to the other outside rail so that both rails were grounded.  My drops are no more than one foot in length.  Hope this helps Richie

Paul

Like track joints, I try to keep connections to a minimum.

Clem K,

   I agree 100%, in doing so your layout will run perfectly.

PCRR/Dave

Richie,

Do whatever's more convenient. Just use the proper gauge of wire.

Interesting responses from all and thanks Barry.

I do like John's idea of running wires from the distribution block to a terminal for each block and then back to track feeders. I plan on using 14 ga. for the main wires and 16 ga for the feeders.

John - did you use a separate 2 gang terminal block for each set of feeders ? Did you use spade connections at the terminal block or solder ?

Thanks

At one time I remember the mention of wrapping the ground wire around the hot wire for track wiring. OGR sells that type on their website. I picked some up from them at York. Barry or anyone else here, is this still a beneficial practice for track signal, or has it been debunked?

Dave,

is this still a beneficial practice for track signal, or has it been debunked?

Yes, it's a good thing to do, however, it's by no means critical to do so.

Thanks Barry. I'll be having some pretty long wire runs so I'm willing to try anything that will help.

Richie, I used the euro style terminal blocks and cut them in pairs. I have 14awg from transformer to TIU to distribution blocks, 16awg paired wire from OGR to all drops, and 18awg drops from track. .110 spade connectors at Fastrack, set screws at drops,crimped fork ends at distribution block, and banana plugs at TIU and transformer. I tried to stay within the 12 track joints per block. I don’t have each block switched, but twelve sidings are. Worked well for me for four years. The layout is 16 x 20 “U” shaped, with the MTH blocks at the bottom of the “U”.

John H posted:

Richie, I used the euro style terminal blocks and cut them in pairs. I have 14awg from transformer to TIU to distribution blocks, 16awg paired wire from OGR to all drops, and 18awg drops from track. .110 spade connectors at Fastrack, set screws at drops,crimped fork ends at distribution block, and banana plugs at TIU and transformer. I tried to stay within the 12 track joints per block. I don’t have each block switched, but twelve sidings are. Worked well for me for four years. The layout is 16 x 20 “U” shaped, with the MTH blocks at the bottom of the “U”.

Thanks, John. That looks almost exactly like what I have planned.

Hard to tell from the picture, but which side is the TVS on - feeder from track or distribution block to drop ?

The TVS is on the distribution block side, but I don't think it makes a difference.

In general, you want to install the TVS close to the source of the electrical noise (i.e. spike).

You want the TVS close to the source of the spike.  In this case the track.  Also on transformer outputs/TIU outputs.  Although I believe TIU's' have TVS built-in.

You want the TVS close to the source of the spike.  In this case the track.  Also on transformer outputs/TIU outputs.  Although I believe TIU's have TVS built-in.

Gentlemen,

  IMO you guys are over playing the TVS safety, I have been using the TIU TVS sense MTH put them in the TIU.  Never ever had it fail and that is a bunch of years.  Guns and I had a discussion on this many years ago, and it definitely would be nice if Lionel and MTH added it to there engines, especially their high cost engines.  So far the TIU has been doing the over all job.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, the problem is that the ones in the TIU might only work once and you have no way of knowing if they are failed open. Then you have no protection. They are cheap insurance to also put them elsewhere.