I'm ordering some kato unitrack and making this layout i.imgur.com/W6rWaK0.jpg , and was wondering if I needed one terminal unijoiner to power both loops or one on each loop? One more thing do I need the dc converter to run my two turnout switches or can they run off the power pack alone?
You will need one for each loop. I would put them at the top of the plan right in the center. The double crossover need power fed from both directions. You should be able to get by with just the one set per oval, but adding a couple more wouldn't hurt. Not sure about the switches, I always cut the wires off and throw them by hand......Mike
Do at least one terminal unijoiner on each side of each loop. Even on my little Christmas tree loop at work, powering both sides of the loop works better. (Especially if the track is filthy.) Andy Tetsu Uma
No you do not need the DC Converter to run the Kato Switch Controls from the Kato power pack. You only need the DC converter if you're using the Kato switch controls with a different brand power pack that is non-DC.
Thanks for the help I'll go with two terminals for now, If that isn't enough I'll do what Gary suggested.
I'd skip the feeder on the siding, so that an engine stored there would automatically be shut off by the "power routing" feature of the turnout. You can certainly start with the two feeders and go to four if you see the need. As time goes by, things will oxidize a bit and Unijoiner spring tension will relax a bit, so the need for additional joiners might creep up on you. Rich K.
