I have access to 500' of shielded 18 gauge twisted pair wire(price is just right). Will this wire work for feeder wires on my new layout using DCS?
John
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
No. Number 18 gauge is not adequate for O-gauge locos. Also, shielding is not necessary. It may, or may not, cause a problem with capacitive reduction of DCS signal.
Robert took the words out of my mouth. Follow what he stated.
Thanks guys. I have regular 18 ga. twisted wire feeding all my track from terminal strips fed by 14 ga on my 10 by 13 layout now. Had no problems that I know of for 5 years, but I will use larger wire on the new one. I realize that shielding is not necessary, but I was wondering if it had any negative effects, because it is free. I'll use it for lights and accessories, anyway. Thanks again.
John
The price is certainly right for lights and lower-draw accessories. I wouldn't use it for high-draw accessories, like the old Pulmor-powered #97 coal elevator. As to the shielding having an effect on DCS signal, you will garner opinions both ways.
I run 14-gauge all the way to the tracks. On these low voltage circuits, it doesn't take much voltage drop to have an effect.
