Wire Gauge

[Mike P]

Being rather new to this hobby and before finding this place I dove in an did a small 3'X5' layout, I used almost exclusively #18AWG.

Now I am planning a larger an wiser layout is stranded 18AWG still sufficent for both the AC & DC sides.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Will_annand]

18GA sounds like over kill. I have an 11.5' x 6.5' "M" shaped layout, I am using 22ga solid "bell wire" for all my track and turnouts.

 

[sams]

mike,
i don't know how big a layout you're planning,
if you've already got it, i think the 18 will be o.k.
use it for the bus...and run 22ga for feeders.

 

[Matthyro]

I use 18 as a bus on my layout for DCC with smaller feeders no more than 6 inches in length and it works great for me. I did try 22 before and found I had problems feeding track 27 feet away. The 18 solved the problem.

 

[Mike P]

Thanks Guys, Seeing as I already have the 18 I will use it to the bus and for long runs, 4 ft or greater and perhaps 22 for the shorter runs. I know at some point 22 will have a power loss, even on my small set up each track has 2 feeds 180 degrees apart.

Currently I use straight DC not DCC. I had a brain power surge and I devised mentally a way for 1, 18vDC feed to control 3 engines and each of those 3 running at different speeds in any direction one likes, for under $5.00 UDS per train. I think it will work, I am going to set up a test bed in a few days and see if I am correct.

 

[sams]

sounds cool Mike!
keep us posted