AWG Just stands for - American wire gauge. It's preceded by the # size of the wire and it's the gauge/thickness of the wire.
i just ran a few splices with not much work. 14 guage bus line with a smaller line spliced into the bus line. Shouldn't the train run on the track that the bus line is spliced into? If it's not running on a track where the line is spliced into, does that mean the splic doesn't work. I didn't use a 14 g wire to splice into the 14 g bus line because I couldn't find anything to connect it into the track.. didn't have the .110 female crimp connector wasn't in any of the stores. I would have to order it.
im working on the loop now as I think i understand most of everything... one person mentioned i needed the bus loop and an 80 watt transformer... some folks have said that my 40 watt one will work with the bus loop. ANyone know? Moon?
40 should be plenty for just the Thomas engine.
Chiper777 posted:i just ran a few splices with not much work. 14 guage bus line with a smaller line spliced into the bus line. Shouldn't the train run on the track that the bus line is spliced into? If it's not running on a track where the line is spliced into, does that mean the splic doesn't work. I didn't use a 14 g wire to splice into the 14 g bus line because I couldn't find anything to connect it into the track.. didn't have the .110 female crimp connector wasn't in any of the stores. I would have to order it.
yes, the track with the feeds from the bus should definitely have power. One Black to outside rail and one red to center rail. Something is amiss.
A smaller wire for the splice should be ok, say 18, but 14 or 16 fits in the tap and splice of a blue connector.
Do you think the .157 had enough contact on the track tab? If it feels secure with a slight tug, it should be enough. I believe some Advance Auto supply stock the .110. .157 has to be loose.
For the tap splice, the tap wire has to be inserted to where the wire end is near the center, the splice over the bus wire and a good squeeze with pliers. The small set with a sliding jaw for a larger opening helps to squeeze the connector in a flat motion.
Tug on the splice wire to make sure it has contact in the connector.
Think of it like your water pipes in the house and you are creating lines for the hot & cold faucets. The transformer is the city feed main to the house pipes which run all around the wall on the shelf and you are connecting to the that.
Yep, have to order the connectors - I just checked the auto stores in your area - I buy these from eBay The insulation is a little big on those type.
One of these electrical supply shops may have the .110 female QD terminals
Moonman posted:Yep, have to order the connectors - I just checked the auto stores in your area - I buy these from eBay The insulation is a little big on those type.
One of these electrical supply shops may have the .110 female QD terminals
lord i wish i would have read this. I paid 28 dollars for 20 of the ones linked below. Hopefully those are the same as what you put. It says vinyl.
Chiper777 posted:Moonman posted:Yep, have to order the connectors - I just checked the auto stores in your area - I buy these from eBay The insulation is a little big on those type.
One of these electrical supply shops may have the .110 female QD terminals
lord i wish i would have read this. I paid 28 dollars for 20 of the ones linked below. Hopefully those are the same as what you put. It says vinyl.
yeah, buddy, that's the correct size, but not the correct price. everyone here has sources for train or hobby items at fair prices. Just ask - like I said before, we all learned the same way - you'll get what you need - but not the best price this time
when i gun the two bus wires around teh track, what is the best way to connect them to the transformer? is there a piece to attach to the wires that are like the pieces that connect from the original wire/track from the set? if so, what is that piece called?
Chiper777 posted:when i gun the two bus wires around teh track, what is the best way to connect them to the transformer? is there a piece to attach to the wires that are like the pieces that connect from the original wire/track from the set? if so, what is that piece called?
The bus wires should connect directly to transformer. Strip about a 1/2" of covering off of the end. Twist the bare wire ends smooth. Unscrew the transformer terminal lugs. There should be a hole in the post. Push the wire end into the hole and tighten the terminal nut.
if there is not whole, bend the stripped end of wire around the post in a clockwise direction and tighten the nut.
the wire should go up to the shelf and then all the way around, loose back against the wall.
A wire crimper/stripper tool is used to squeeze the connectors to a bare stripped wire end. I have used pliers in a pinch, but it's not the best way to do it.
Here is a link to the train finally working.. gotta clean up some wires, but that can wait.
Bout drove me nuts trying to get this to work, thank you for everything... bus line was needed along with quick fixing a lot of rails. I was a fool not to use the 30 inch tracks. One thing, I was still having some troubles adding piece by piece, but when I put all the track up, it ran better. It worked the same way on the floor, would have way less troubles when entire loop was connected. I'mt not sure why.
Thank you for all the help and not blasting me for all of the ignorant, novice posts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf7-WaPkwuo
Well, congratulations! Thanks for the video.
Blasting someone doesn't help get the trains running. However, you will get blasted for using the wrong railroad terminology and nomenclature. But, that's just how railroaders teach newbies.
Thomas is a very useful engine. He may need his wheels and pick-up rollers cleaned occasionally. He'll complain and run erratically when he wants them cleaned. A little oil on his axles and siderods from time to time makes him smile.
Have fun!
