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Placement of feeders to power bus

2089 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Beekay
I'm new to both DCC and these forums and have a question that I hope might be simple but it driving me insane: where do I add my feeders so that all tracks are powered without shorting out?

Here is my layout (thumbnail):
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From all the videos I've watched I want to add a power bus so that all my tracks, turnouts, and future lights, etc. can connect to it for both power and control. I'm concentrating on the track first (naturally) and I think I have understood correctly, but could really use some advice from experienced railway modelers.

In the image I posted, I've marked where I think I can add feeders, connecting using suitcase connectors to my power bus. Also, I plan to run my locos mostly clockwise, in case that makes a difference to where red and black wires go.

To cut the question short(er)... am I right, and will this work?
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Thanks for the feedback. My layout is about 9' x 5' (US measurements <g>). I just added my power bus around the table (1' in from each edge), so maybe I should add 'droppers' with one in the southeast corner, middle at the north side for those two tracks, and again two on the east side tracks? Makes sense, especially given that I just found out my bus need to be a loop, not just wires that don't connect. Still learning!! :)
You are certainly not the only one "still learning", fortunately those who post here are very willing to share what they have managed to learn from each other... and maybe a few... err... experiences of their own?

Lots of people seem to think that your Bus round the layout is a first class idea and most like to take the time to add droppers from every / at least most individual pieces of track. It isn't a mega task, particularly if the droppers are soldered to the track before it is laid. {I haven't tried adding droppers after laying the track, but many have. It may be a good idea to see what the options involve, before making that choice.}

Deciding is all part of the fun.
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