JD2035RR posted:My questions:
1. What are your thoughts on the overall layout of controls? Is 14x24 too big/awkward to use? Should the voltmeters and ammeters be flipped?
It's not too big imo. I'd flip the meters above the ZW because 1. those covers are often brittle and I'd fear smacking one in an emergency shut down. 2. the control should be as close to you as possible. I think most folk have a habit of belly-ing up to a unit. (on the other hand, a shirtless belly may be a little heat sensitive. I guess it depends on the i dividual
)
2. How do people label the turnout locations so that you can easily tell which switch to throw? Do you add little numbered flags near the actual switch? Add numbers to the track diagram?
I never had the luxury; I just use memory. I also prefer to use the dual controllers to pair up turnouts (even if I have to re-work and rewire the functions) Gramp's wasn't using duals and I never had an issue there either. Signs for guests or kids might be nice though. Marking the numers on the map & controls seems enough to me.
3. In terms of wiring the circuit breaker, voltmeter, and ammeters, should the breakers be closest in series to the transformer or the track?
Doesn't matter much. Ideally wire should be as short as possible, but your only adding a foot or two. I think visually they would be seen better up high though.
4. The 12 switches with incandescent bulbs are starting to really eat up some wattage. What is the best source for drop-in red and green led bulbs that have the same size bulb and coloring as the incandescents?
No source, just a reminder some may be dc only.
5. I was thinking about using 1x4" pine as the frame and 1/8 inch plywood for the surface. Would this strong enough after I cut the holes in the surface for the meters?
?.. Running a frame around them will help. On top or underside. Nothing fancy. Just a runner along the weak edges to beef up the area. Wood or metal really. I think 1/4" would be better in the long run. I think 1/8 might be too thin. I like things to be quite solid.
6. Any tips on the material, construction, design, and/or process would be appreciated!
Don't hit your thumb with a hammer 🔨
Thanks! Here are a couple old pics of the layout before I added some sidings seen in the control panel track diagram.
I wish I had a big box of those arcade buttons 😎 How did you like working with them? The color variation really adds some "pop" too.
I'm lacking the proper composer panel to change text style & color today, there are comments above mixed into your text.
Vary wire colors all you can and suppliment with numbers. Relying on one or the other... I'd use color because its easiest to spot without flipping tags around to see the number. Paint on the ends of repeated colors is another way to organize a few repeats.
Run wire into bundles and secure them well on both sides of a hinge, leaving plenty of slack so being open wont stress the two points.(like an1" up to a foot of slack) If the looms want to jam into the hinge area, use a long, light spring on a zip strip and cabinet to pull it out of the way as you close the panel. (like how a screen door spring keeps the stop chain in check)
