I appreciate this thread since I was just at that stage of my new layout and this will save countless time and effort. Before I saw the link I just ordered enough for my layout from Amazon. :thumbs_up:
Bob, I like your idea... definitely should help those intimidated by soldering. However, your photos are not close-up enough to clearly tell what was accomplished. So I went to the Posi-Tap website http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html and their demo video really helps explain your point. Thanks for the tip... :tb-cool: :thumbs_up: :tb-cool:
The photo's showed the completed Posi-Tap Connectors in place under the bench work. Those photo's were taken with me lying under the bench work. It was impossible to setup a tripod with a closeup lens in this particular instance. The explanation of how to hook up the Connectors was written up in the article I put on my website. Hooking a Posi-Tap Connector up is a very simple process. I will take some additional close-up photo's on my work bench to show the anatomy of the connector and how it works with feeders and common bus lines.
Bob you do not know how much it helps when you take close ups of what you are talking about. I know that you have a good reason for everything that you do on your layout. But I was wondering what is your reason for using the 22 gauge wire and the other wire underneath the layout, when Kato has all of the extensions cables and the such. Would it not save you a lot of time by just connecting them together? I really like the updates and the education, but was wondering why this early AM, when another way has been made available to the modeler.
caldog: Why would I purchase over 500 feeders from Kato? That doesn't make sense.. I want feeders wired to every track, so if there is a problem I know exactly where it is on the layout. 22 gauge wire is the ideal diameter for N Scale when you're wiring feeders to a common 14 gauge bus line. The Kato feeders are also too flimsy for a permanent layout. They're ideal for a temporary laid out on the floor. Why wouldn't I use common bus lines under the bench work on a permanent layout? That is the ideal way to carry the power from the command station to all parts of the layout. Then you tap track feeders into the common bus lines. I've discussed this in the Unitrack N Scale Forum group. Look up the topic in that group and see the reasoning behind what I do for wiring feeders to Unitrack. How am I going to use the extension cables that Kato sells for a layout that has over 500 feet of track in a room 20x12'. And where are they going to extend from and to. Two common bus lines make more sense. Each of the two common bus lines on the "new" JJJ&E are over 120 feet in length. Total cost for the solid copper wire for the two common bus lines is $12.00. Will I pay $12.00 for all the extension cables that I need from Kato? Anyways the diameter of the extension cable that Kato makes is too small making them totally inadequate for a permanent layout.
Bob has track wiring down to a science whether you are using DC or DCC. His approach will guarantee constant voltage / current to ALL sections of track on the layout. What this means is locomotives will run smoothly at any given speed with no stalling out or hesitation. For DCC users it will mean better transfer of packet information to the loco decoders and back if transponding is used. For lighted cars it will mean less light flicker. For occupancy detection it will mean few if any fault readings using current detection. Bullet proof wiring techniques means long term high performance operation and more fun!:tb-biggrin: Further Bob has successfully used an excellent viable alternative to soldering of feeder wires which is safer and quicker at a more than reasonable price. Posi-Tap connectors make excellent wire connections with a minimum of effort on the user. They work well in tight spaces. They are fully insulated. They can be reused. No tools required to make the connection.:thumbs_up: Wiring feeders to EVERY section of track may seem like a daunting task, however using Posi-Tap connectors for wiring all feeders to common bus lines will greatly reduce the effort required to hook them all up. This means less time under the bench work.:tb-biggrin::tb-biggrin: Thanks Bob! Jerry
