Track and electrical/DCC

Car Float Rail

All,

Looking for suggestions on how to secure code 83 rail to a scratchbuilt carfloat. I'm planning on using MDF covered by styrene for the body. I saw a MRRV video on the Rice Harbor layout where they used PECO inspection pit parts to secure the rail. That works for a two track float when the float rails are straight.

Your Input on my DCC Reverse Loops

I decided a few months back to make some major changes to my railroad. Tearing down a big piece to make things “better”. Up to yesterday things were going well then I ran into reversing loop issues that my brain just could not figure out! I have included a diagram of the overall railroad. Nothing to scale and a lot of stuff missing but the point is just to show reverse loops and my thoughts on power districts. A more detailed drawing is on the right side of the diagram to show how the “mains” meet into the staging area.

Wire for DC layouts

My apologies if this has been answered again and again, Google couldn't find it and neither could YouTube.

I am building a HO DC layout with zero plans to go DCC down the road. My layout consists of a 6 track freight yard that merges into the main line loop that has one siding and an additional dead end. I am using a dual cab controller (MRC Twinpack from the 70s it was my dad's) and Atlas Connectors to create a total of 6 blocks (3 per cab) My layout is two4x8 tables and a 2x6 table in a U shape.

Withrottle problem

When I use my Withrottle it will not display the dual throttle mode.  That is the mode in which it displays 2 throttles on one screen.  It used to display dual throttles, but stopped doing it.  I can't find any setting for "dual throttle" display. How do I get it back?  I have googled the question to no avail.

A Different Way to Install Touch Toggles

I’m redoing my control panel to use the Touch Toggle products from Berrett Hill (www.touchtoggle.com) but I’m not using the usual process of taping them to the back of my printed track schematic.  So I decided to post what I’m doing as I go along knowing that I will get some good ideas from others and maybe be of help to someone else.  DISCLAIMER:  I have no relationship with Berrett Hill other than as a very satisfied customer.

I look forward to your comments!

Allen

kirkifer's picture

Making power supplies safe

One more nagging question I have as I start to get my basic wiring setup:

How do you make power supplies safe from accidental contact with 120 volt supply?

As seen in the picture the MeanWell power supplies which are supposed to be the best have no real protection from the high voltage connections. Ironically, the cheaper power supplies have a thick piece of plastic that snaps over the lugs once all are tight. 

kirkifer's picture

layout bus wire colors

OK Gang,

I have looked through past articles and have not found what I am looking for, so please help...

What color wires do you use for your layout BUS wires and why?

My thought is to have Red and Black for the DCC power bus. Two other colors for 12V lights, etc.

I use Digitrax, so I have the telco wire for LocoNet

What other BUS wires do I need?

What about an LCC wire(s)?

 

 

Conflict DSC51 vs WiThrottle

I'm using a WiThrottle app connected to a DSC51 w LNWI.  The WiThrottle app and DSC51 keep fighting with each other.  When using the app it keeps getting interrupted by the DSC51 speed setting.   If the DSC51 has the brake on it will stop the app until I make an adjustment via the app.  If the brake is off whatever the speed the dsc51 is set to will interrupt the ap and change the speed.  Any ideas on how to fix?

ESU CabControl/MC II with JMRI

For those curious or learning about ESU CabControl, so far I have successfully used the following configurations:

1. Default MCII ESU App software with CabControl out of the box.

Geoff Brigham's picture

Simple and Cheap 12V 203W Power Supply

A few days ago I was thinking about what I wanted to do about powering any lights on my layout in the future.  I could always take power from a booster then I saw a video about using an old computer's power supply unit.  Calling it thrifty I keep my old computers as spare parts and I happened to have a power supply in one but I also had a 1st generation Xbox 360 that was parts and it had an external 203 W power supply. 

Available on Amazon ...


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