My layout has been static for the last year, all the track is done however I was stuck at wiring it. Since I run DC, the block wiring can be complicated. Not to mention I built it in modules for easier moving. Since I have a central control board, I had to build a wiring harness that I can disconnect at the modules. I started with pins/plugs and it was tedious, I just got fed up. I ditched that idea and am now going to use SVGA and VGA serial cables to connected to breakout boards at each module. So far, it looks promising and straightforward. Will update as I progress. The cables are 26ga wire, so therein lies my concern. They are rated at 10 amps. Since it’s a smaller layout, I think I’ll be fine.
Are you sure about the 10 amps? The tables I just looked at are considerably less. Doing a quick search found serial cables that are 22 awg and are rated quite a bit more. Are you N or HO? Might make a fair amount of difference. Also how many wires are you taking between modules and do they daisy chain from module to module? Sumner
N scale. The boards are 10 amps, cables a bit less. No daisy chains, all are wired direct from module to board with appropriate length of cable. First module wired and turnout control to the Unitrack turnouts showed no issues. Since I only run 1-2 locos at a time, should be fine. in the long run, if there are issues, I can build heavier cables relatively easily.
It may have been easier if you followed the NTrak and ran bus lines and used jumper connectors at the edges of the modules.
SPsteam, I have used 22 AWG wire for small DC layouts so 26 AWG seems small. But, looking at a voltage-drop calculator, (based on using a 10 ft wire from the DC controller to the tracks and another 10 ft wire back to the controller), gives the following results; - 26 AWG gives 0.4 Volt-Drop (Example 12 volts goes down to 11.6 Volts) - 24 AWG gives 0.25 Volt-Drop - 22 AWG gives 0.16 Volt-Drop - 14 AWG gives 0.03 Volt-Drop If you must use 26 AWG, I would recommend doubling up the wire in parallel, so use 2 x 26 AWG wires for each rail. This would give you a 0.2 Volt drop for the same 10 ft wires. - Tonkphilip
- Note, this is based on providing 0.5 Amps for two locomotives from the DC train controller. - Tonkphilip
Second the NTrak wiring...powerpoles can handle TONS of power and can be locked into a block to connect and disconnect.
Control board wired last night, layout over the next few days. In all, the layout is HCD size broken into 3 modules. Each cable is wired 2 strands per power block with a separate 20 ga ground wire. Will try and get pics up tonight.
Update, here is the bottom of the control board with 3 25 pin boards and 1 15 pin board. The underside of the layout. Finished wiring the layout today and operated some locomotives. I did double pin all of the mainline blocks. The turnouts all work via momentary switches and the blocks are double throw/center off switches for two cab operations. So far, everything operates as expected and works like a charm. It will be easy to dismantle the modules for a move with this method.
