The Frankfort Terminal Railroad ( http://palmeter.com/railroad-models-index/ ) is, after years of delay, getting a permanent power source in the RBRBB ( http://palmeter.com/rrmodels026/ ). Now that I am finally putting in block control, I need to run power from my power supply to 14 block switches. What type hook up hardware is best for this application? Most of what I see on the internet are bars for grounding an electrical panel. Will those work?
Thanks,
David
Hi Dave,
See this month’s Garden Railways Magazine to give you some ideas and see how I wired 21 blocks for three power packs. Because the lengths are short within the panel, 16 gauge wire is fine and the buss bars can be nothing more than a length of bare wire or a terminal strip.
Hi Todd,
Yes, I saw your outstanding article and I was very glad to see it since I remembered your past descriptions but just now am building my controls. The timing is perfect.
It also was what got me thinking about using the buss bar that you mentioned. I have done the soldered bare wire and connection type as well as jumpers on a terminal strip, I was just curious if any hobby-size, ready-made strips existed. The screw down grounding bars for household wiring boxes look interesting but way over-designed for 18VDC. Maybe I’ll just stick with the tried and cheap ; ^ )
Regards,
David, Allelectronics has an assortment of strips that should work for you. For the five “buss bars” in my panel (three cabs and + and - for turnouts) that go to the block and turnout switches, I used “tie points.” The wires from the turnout and block switches then go to terminal strips, then on to the connector.
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/755/terminal-strips/1.html
Todd, I am making slow progress on my power panel. I got all the blocks wired but my space was so limited that I used bare tinned copper wire for the busses. After I got them hooked up, I put electrical tape on both sides to protect against shorts.
Have a great Thanksgiving,
David
A little late but here is the LGB bus bar.
LGB made 2 types of multiple connection bars
’
5072 had 2 rows of 12 connectors tied together, screw terminals and a plastic cover for protection. 1-2 for one set of connections, 13-24 for the 2nd set of connections.
Do a google search for LGB 5072
Some are selling on E-bay.
5073 had 12 separate pairs of pins.
Yeah, that will work just as well David.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Todd