Some modelers who are just getting into dcc think that the way to enter the world of dcc slowly is to equip their layout to run dcc and dc at the same time. The salt lake route part 4 wiring a small layout for dcc.
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Dcc layout wiring diagram. Dcc power bus wire of 2402 or 3202 in black and red or another colour of your choice depending on your layout size or scale chosen dropper wire of 106 single strand or 1602 stranded to match your colour choice of bus wire. Others in a club that is just going dcc want to be able to run dcc and dc at the same time for the modelers who cannot afford the 15 for a decoder. Dcc advice 11 page 4 wiring point work special track conditions for dc or dcc a reminder all examples and the things we use for switching such as cobalt motors cobalt s levers and ad or ad s accessory decoders will work as well on dc as they do on dcc so you can use these diagrams for any layout with any form of control. However as with any electric railway there is wiring to be done but because dcc controls the locomotives individually there is no need to split the track into many sections in order to run multiple locos making dcc layouts easier to wire than dc. Higher currents heavier power wiring and overload protection must work. Digital command control dcc wiring a layout the principle of wiring a dcc layout is simple supply power to all areas of the layout avoiding the possibility of any short circuits.
Wiring the layout i mentioned earlier that the myth of wiring for dcc is just that a myth. Anecdotal comments in layout wiring are easily believed because with have lots of experience with dc layouts where the wiring was not so critical. Wiring a large layout for dcc requires planning but is not difficult. Dcc wiring clinic 25 summary dcc wiring is different from dc blocks and cab control in consideration of wiring methods but many of the same basic rules for electrical gaps etc. Dick christianson explains how to wire the salt lake route for digital command control. The salt lake route part 4 wiring a small layout for dcc.
It has been written by modellers for modellers. This article deals with large permanent layouts for other types of layout refer to. Weve done our best to verify all information it may contain and all ideas recommendations or techniques within it have where possible also been tried and tested by experienced modellers. The first thing to do which really needs to be considered before laying any track is the placement of isolating rail joiners. Dcc power and layout wiring part 1 we hope that you find this information useful. He concealed the systems command station in a drawer built beneath the layouts intermodal yard.
Dcc wiring is simpler but intolerant of sloppy workmanship. It also turns out to be true for small dcc layouts the 4x8 plywood layout is the most common simply because there is not enough wire length or poor wiring quality to really get yourself into any.