Working on changing the wiring on my layout. Using a terminal block and 14 gauge wire. What size female crimp connector do I need to attach to the terminals underneath a section of the Fastrack? From what I have read, I should run wires every 20 to 25 feet of track. Preparing for a move from a conventional transformer to DCS. Any other tips? Need to know what size terminal connector fits before I buy a bunch of them. Thanks as always.
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I've been using 0.110 connectors. But, I typically use 18 ga power drops. I do use 14ga for power distribution.
Thank you, I tried measuring it, looks to be about 1/8" inch so that makes sense. Thanks again.
For Fastrack, it's better to run a drop every 3 or 4 track sections or so, rather than counting the number of feet. That's because Fastrack has a tendency to develop bad or high resistance joints at the track ends.
Further, I would solder the wires to the bottom of the track. Using female connectors allows for a bad connection from the wire to the connector and from the connector to the track.
It's also very important to solder the "T-bone" connector inside the switches. Fastrack switches tend to develop open circuits from all three center rails to each other.
I am writing this from many years of experience.
Is this a permanent layout? If so,it's better to solder the wire directly to the terminals.
If your running command/dcs use a t least 16 or 14 GA wire.
I have feeders every 10' on my layout and have zero voltage issues.
Heres a tip from Mike Reagan to prevent bad connections between track pieces. You can bend the connections as you put the track together.
.080 Female connector is tighter than a .110 Do a search for it, it was discussed recently...
If it's permanent, definitely just solder them. It's a much stronger electrical and mechanical connection. I had problems on my temporary xmas layout (fastrack), it was fixed with a few solder joints. Speaking of temporary, it's been up for 6 months. Better get to taking it down soon