This is an update, which I'm sharing to not only get further input, but also to possibly help others regarding the use of terminal strips.
What I have endeavored to do is apply the advice I've received on this thread, particularly that of George and Rich.
I've never had anything like MTH Terminal Blocks or terminal strips until recently, so using this equipment was very foreign to me and awkward.
This afternoon I tried to re-create what Rich did by threading a bare 18 gauge copper wire through the screws of a terminal strip, and found it to be a juggling act that I initially could not do. I decided to take a break for a few hours. (I've found that taking a break enables me to harness my subconscious mind, which in my case, is far more powerful than my conscious mind.)
When I resumed my efforts this evening, I ended up stressing the bare copper wire so much that it broke. LOL. Then, I stripped the insulation off another 18 gauge solid wire and it occurred to me that I had to take the little screw out completely, position the copper wire and then put the little screw back in. Once I did that, it took me a mere 10 minutes to re-create Rich's terminal strip/bare copper wire arrangement. See photo below.
I already have enough 14 gauge stranded copper wire to make long runs from the hot (red) row of terminals from my MTH Terminal Blocks near the Z4000 transformer to the short drop wires connected to the hot connections of all the lock-ons.
(I may later on remove all the lock-ons and solder wires to the sides of rails on my tubular track once I get a high powered Weller D550 soldering gun, which I purchased on-line today).
I am only using terminal strips with the bare 18 gauge copper wire threaded through it (like the one in the photo below) for the cold ground bus wire. Notice there is about 1 inch of bare copper wire at each end of the lower row of screws. I will use that inch of wire to daisy chain the terminal strips.
The top row of screws in the terminal strips (see photo below) will be connected (using fork lugs) to 16 gauge solid drop wires attached to the ground terminal of each lock-on in the vicinity of the particular terminal strip.
I think what I've said makes sense. Do you agree?
Whatever input you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Arnold
