Wiring Under a HCD (Hollow Core Door) Layout

Hardcoaler Aug 15, 2021

  1. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I'm currently building my N Scale benchwork using two HCDs. HCD's are new to me, as I've previously built traditional open frame tables. How do y'all handle wiring management under a HCD layout without an open grid to feed wires through?

    I want to keep my wiring orderly and available for easy maintenance. I thought adding an an open grid using 1/4" thick plywood beneath, but that would add weight and there must be alternatives to that. My layout will have fascia around the perimeter, allowing about 2" of covered area open underneath the HCDs.

    Thanks for any ideas.
     
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  2. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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    Saw a you tube where someone was doing a HCD layout and think they just mounted electronics on the underside. My layout needed to be small and light so I'm using 1/4 ply, 1/4 cork and 5/8 EPS sitting on a 1x2 framing (Should have used 1x3s). Before mounting the EPS, while knew impact would be negligible, added 1/4 cork in attempt to offset acoustic chamber of Kato roadbed. Obviously cork had minimal impact it was glued down so the EPS ended on top. Just remembered where I saw it and thought it was pretty cool.

     
  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I'll have to check that out -- thanks. What's EPS?
     
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  4. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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  5. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, that's exactly what I bought. I never knew it was called ESR. I chose 1/2" (actual thickness 9/16") for my foam because I need to keep the table as reasonably thin as I can, so as to navigate a dogleg in the staircase.
     
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  6. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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    I like using it. Since it comes in 4x8 and only doing a 2x4 made various land forms and layout cover. Used mixed sand paper grades to shape though its incredibly messy. Since I'm doing a plaster free, portable light weight layout, this stuff seem to work best and economical to boot. BTW, love the piston approach idea in the video... What a back saver!!
     
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  7. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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    What electronics are you using for this new layout?
     
  8. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    @Mark Ricci , since the layout is primarily DC, I built a control panel with turnout control (panel on the left) and block control (panel on the right). A Kato power pack will sit in the center. I like messing with electronics, so went a little overboard with the LEDs. I'm using capacitive discharge circuits to work the Kato Unitrack turnouts.

    I built this two years ago before a family situation pulled me away from model railroading. I hope I can recall where I left off with the thing!

    2019-10-13 001 Control Panel.jpg
     
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  9. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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    That came out great! Definitely like the space for the Kato pack. Is the black panel plastic or wood? Did you make a harness for wires? What approach in controlling turnout control switch LEDs.
     
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  10. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm curious to see how the door closure works out on the DIY&D. I'm wondering if a second will be required when more weight is added.

    I'm also curious to see if the legs rack over time without a diagonal bracing.
     
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  11. CSX Robert

    CSX Robert TrainBoard Member

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    I would bet that door closer does not hold up. Well, the closer will, but not the mounting. Remmeber, a hollow core door is hollow. It has a wood interior around the perimeter, but for the most part is hollow throughout the rest of the door. He has the door closer mounted directly to what is basically 1/8" plywood. That will almost certainly work its way loose over time. If I was going that route, I would either use two closers, one at each end, if I could get them close enough to mount into the wood perimeter, or I would place a 1 x 2 across the door that screws into the perimeter wood on each side and attach the closer to that.
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2021
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  12. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you. The black panels are countertop laminate mounted to 1/8" ply. Under the hinged panels are terminal strips with screws to make for easy connections. Unfortunately there's not much room within and it's pretty messy inside with a million wires. I sought to make the panel as small and thin as possible and went a little too far.

    The toggles are DPDTs, so I'm able to use one side of them for LED switching.

    2019-10-13 002 Control Panel - for upload.jpg
     
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  13. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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    Its a work of art!! Very impressive! Don't think its that messy especially since looks like you used all single conductor wiring? Guess turnout wires enter from bottom or back side? How are you planning to hold up? Another wards, does this sit on an attached shelf or are you screwing back side to outside table frame?
     
  14. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    At least screw a 6"x6" piece of 1x to the door skin for screws to hold.

    I've cut up a few HCDs over the years. Until the one I'm working with now, they all had a cardboard web inside. The one I just ripped has horizontal strips of pressed sawdust, almost like coarse Homasote.
     
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  15. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Very nice looking panels. Your wiring looks very neat and professional.
    I like your use of laminate, looks clean.
     
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  16. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you! Yep, all stranded single-conductor wire. I retained Kato's wire color standards to keep it easy to maintain. Wires will enter from the rear and the panel will bolt on to the front edge of the train table.

    I chose green and yellow LEDs for turnouts, reflecting Normal and Diverging positions. Green and Red were the obvious choices for the blocks. I had some fun with other LED colors on my DC/DCC selector, Reverse Loop, Tethered Walkaround throttle, Building Lights and Main Power.
     
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  17. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

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    You really did a outstanding job.. Well thought out! I retained Kato standard too, hated cutting connectors on some pieces, such a waste..

    in the beginning trying to determine which way is forward, clockwise or counterclockwise, couldn't find a standard but seems many races go forward counterclock so under analog, white on the outside rail was the pos end of supply under DC.

    Curious, is there a standard for forward in terms of clockwise vs counter around layout??
     
  18. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    That is truly amazing work. And I am worried about just simple wiring for DCC, cause last time I tried, blew up decoder in a locomotive. Funny now, but not at the time!

    Can I ask why it looks like there are no frame pieces on the bottom of each panel? Or am I not seeing something, or am I seeing something. Now I am confused :) You sir are a wiring genius. How long did it take to make those?
     
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  19. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks! You're right, the bottom of each frame is missing. I was assembling them at the time, sliding the panels into the frames. When they were seated, I glued in the bottom of each frame.

    I'm thinking that it probably took me an unhurried eight months to build them, from laying out the panels (each requiring 72 precise holes!), building the case and doing the wiring within. I sure hope that the whole thing has a long and durable life. o_O

    2019-02-11 002 DS&N Turnout Control Panel - for upload.jpg
     
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  20. jdetray

    jdetray TrainBoard Member

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    Hardcoaler -

    GREAT looking control panels! Your wiring does not look messy to me; I wish mine was that neat.

    EPS (not ESR) is Expanded PolyStyrene, sometimes abbreviated as XPS (Xpanded PolyStyrene). Similar to Mark, I used this type of foam to keep my layout light. Great stuff! I used it both as sub-roadbed (3/4-inch blue foam) and as risers (2-inch pink foam) for grades.

    - Jeff
     

    Attached Files:

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