What is a cheap wire I can use for my controllers for my 022 swithes it needs to be 3 wire so I need at least 60 ft to do all 6 swithes. I thought I read some where to use phone wire any one help with this.
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You can use two long wires, running out to each switch, and connect each controller to a ground closer. I have always wired my switches this way.
The center terminal of an 022 switch machine is just a "ground" connection.
Just use the long wires on the outer two terminals.
Phone wire is solid and prone to breaking if you nick it. You can get the original 3 wire black with the red tracer inside one edge wire from Olsen's.
http://www.olsenstoy.com/proddetail.htm?sku=3C-100
or do a search for this on that auction site...
FC3 22 Gauge Flat 3 Conductor Wire
Originally Posted by cjack:
Phone wire is solid and prone to breaking if you nick it. You can get the original 3 wire black with the red tracer inside one edge wire from Olsen's.
http://www.olsenstoy.com/proddetail.htm?sku=3C-100
or do a search for this on that auction site...
FC3 22 Gauge Flat 3 Conductor Wire
That's a little too much for wire for me. On last layout I use the wire the blue and yellow wire they use in old phone system but was hoping something like that cheap for a lot of wire
That's ok. I was thrilled to find it some years back so I could restore my brittle wires on older switches to just like they were new.
This stuff is only about $8 and has 4 pair in it. The patch cord that has ends on it is stranded #24. You might us a pair for each wire needed.
Search for...
cat 5 cable 100 ft
So you can just ground the center terminal to the track ground ??
I use original style controller wire when fixing up switch controllers and UCS tracks for resale or for a customer.
For my layout, I have a roll of two conductor 24 gauge solid alarm wire. Picked it up at a flea market around forty years ago, and still have lots left.
Many folks will say that 24 gauge is too light, but my biggest layout was only 8 by 12. The runs weren't long enough for the gauge of the wire to cause a problem. The switches have always thrown just fine.
I also use the wire for UCS tracks.
UCS tracks only need two wires if you connect the power and ground by the controller.
I use the power and ground terminals on the UCS track itself to provide extra power and ground feeds.
Originally Posted by jim pastorius:
So you can just ground the center terminal to the track ground ??
It already is grounded to track ground.
I actually use this post sometimes instead of a lockon to make a power connection to the track.
Here's another idea, Home Depot has thermostat wire in #18 solid 3 wire, and 4 wire #22 (I believe it's stranded) security wire. They also sell it by the foot. I wanted #20 stranded but it was too hard to find so I settled on the thermostat wire. Did not want to use this, but I'm actually starting to like it now. It works perfectly with the terminals on my Atlas switch machines, and no crimp connectors required as would have been with the stranded wire. Comes in 2, 3, 5, 7, and I think 8 conductor. You can also get the thermostat wire at hardware stores, Lowes, Home Depot, Menards and probably any building supply center.
GreAt idea going to get some now
