DCC Power to Feeders for Easy Troubleshooting

NOTE: This model railroad video is not intended for anyone under 14 years of age due to the use of small parts, dangerous tools, electrical items, glues, and paints.
This is edited & condensed from some 2015 videos.
The wiring of DCC power to the feeders on my N Scale layout was done a little differently than most people do it in that I wanted to have the ability to easily troubleshoot any electrical issue that might arise. To that end, the wiring was done in a modular fashion, i.e., the feeders (approximately 6 inches long) are all 22 AWG stranded wire soldered to the Peco track. The feeders are connected to 18 AWG stranded wire using solderless bayonet connectors that then go to a Euro style terminal strip. I also used 18 AWG solid wire (approximated 1.5 inches long) to jumper the red feeders as well as the green feeders on the terminal strip. The terminal strip is connected to the main power bus (12 AWG stranded wire) using a length of 14 AWG solid wire (one for the red and one for the green) and connected to the main bus using a 3M suitcase connector.
NOTE - The opening trailer music is courtesy of RUclips and is titled "Island Dream" by Chris Haugen.

[@peterpocock9062]

In Oz, we call those connectors "chocolate blocks"! Ive been doing what you have shown for years now. It makes fault finding very easy. Thanks for sharing.

[@tanzj]

Hi Peter, Thanks for your comments. I completed the wiring of my layout about 8-10 years ago and did it in this modular fashion to do exactly what you said. It helped to quickly find and isolate a couple of issues when they have arisen over the years. Thanks again….John

[@GreatNorthernPDX]

I love the organization of what you've done. It also gives me ideas on sharing what I've done on my staging level.

[@tanzj]

Hi, Thank you for watching and your comments. The way that I did my wiring did cost more than just soldering everything but it sure helps when a problem arose a couple of times over the years….John

[@deeprunrailroad_Mike]

John thanks for sharing. If you use some large diameter heat shrink on your spade connectors it will insulate the terminals and still allow you to pull them apart. Don't shrink it just slide it over. Mike

[@tanzj]

Hi Mike, Thanks, I just used electrical tape. The video was brought back as a condensed version from 2015. I thought that it might be of interest to some. My layout has been fully operational for around 8 years or so….John

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

John interesting ideas, I use suitcase connectors and lever connectors

[@tanzj]

Hi James, Thanks for watching and commenting. It is definitely something that everyone does a bit differently…..John

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

You do have a plan, doing good work now...pays off later. Bob

[@tanzj]

Hi Bob, It did since I did all of that work 8-9 years ago and have used it to troubleshoot a couple of problems over the years….John

[@garykcs5532]

Good vid. I didn't know that you needed insulated joiners when you do DCC

[@tanzj]

Hi Gary, Thanks for your comments. You either use insulated joiners or cut the track and glue in plastic pieces which then have to be sanded/filed down to conform to the track. I used the insulated track joiners so I could readily see each powered section as an additional item to help with troubleshooting. Since I use Peco electrofrogs, they also require insulation on all four tracks past the frog (wiringfordcc.com) because of the way they route power…..John

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

This is great John, thanks 🙏

[@tanzj]

Thank you Sean….😊

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

goode vid on channel thanks lee

[@tanzj]

Glad you enjoyed it Lee….John