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Wiring the Christmas 2002 |
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Wiring
Diagram Attach the red wires in the diagram to the center rail, and the grey wires to either outside rail. On the actual layout, all the wires were white to blend in with the snow ground-cloth. You will have to remove the center-rail track pins at the points shown. The knife switch allows you to power either siding track while shutting off power to the other. By leaving the handle in the up postition, you can shut off power to both siding tracks, and thus both trains, but the building lights will stay lit (remember to turn down the transformer voltage). The switch is a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) knife switch from Radio Shack. An SPDT would work as well, but the DPTD is wider and more stable and has an extra set of contacts in case you want to power a signal or other device in synchronization with the siding power (and it has that old-movie mad-scientist look). The wires to the far side of the layout prevent resistance in the rails from causing the locomotive to slow down as it gets farther from the transformer. Actually, the optimum place for the distant hookup would be farther to the right at about the beginning of the curve, but the cabinet was in the way for this particular layout. These wires should be of substantial diameter (18-gauge minimum, 16-gauge, better). The spur is constantly powered in order to keep the bumper lighted and provide a hookup point for lightbulbs in the area. Locomotives cannot be stored on the spur, since there is no way to shut off the power, but cars can be placed there. The track switches (turnouts) are all manual, though electric ones could be used. Power for the lights on the layout is taken from the track, but remember that lights clipped to a passing siding track will go out when you shut off power to that track. |
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