So far this is the best video I have found on DCC wiring that isn’t long winded and a half hour long. I’m thinking of doing a video myself to help beginners like myself.
I LIKE TO SAY ONE THING,THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND TO DO,It beats all these other video's of trying to show you this and that,and when there done your all confused,watching your video has just made the most simplest way to wire a set up,AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH,CHEERS AND ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOURS Gary Timberlake(BB)
Finally, someone who can use a video cam properly. Good steady shots, nice close-ups, nice long shots so we can see what you're talking about. Please do a tour video when you're done with the scenery, etc. Should be great.
Dear Olliead. That is great! I have found them instantly here in the UK. Talk about timing - I wanted to start wiring my layout tomorrow and here I am saving time, money and, most importantly, trouble! Thanks to you. Well, many thanks to you. I look forward to further developments - on RUclips - of your layout.
I could not tell if your rail joints were soldered. I recommend that you solder all of your rail joints. I learned that hard way on that one. Had to go back and do that after numerous other work was already done. Trains ran amazing after that. Happy railroading. :)
I'm glad I watched this before I got started! Thank you! I went straight from here to eBay and bought my suitcase clips. Your video has given me a lot more confidence that I can get my N scale layout wired up without any major hiccups!
Great video. It really simplified what I thought was a complicated process. The only thing I didn’t get (or missed) was what do you do with the two ends of the bus wires? Thanks again for a well presented lesson.
That's a great presentation. I'm new to Model Railroading and this bus wiring will help me with my layout. Your layout looks great. I can't wait to get started. Thank you.
I thought the idea of dcc was that you controlled the points with a spring clip and did the change through the dcc. Thanks heaps for the video Olliead. Please keep them coming. Charles and Dad
Thank you much for an excellent video which makes the entire matter simple to understand. Being new to model railroading and the DCC concepts has been made a lot simpler for me by your video. Keep up the great work.
Great information Ollie! I'm beginning building of a new HO layout and this will be the first DCC. I planned to use the suitcase connectors but I love the way you did your feeder wires. Wiring the frogs was a big concern but the end of this video really triggered some "light bulbs" in my mind.
This video and way to wire up a primary buss is awesome. I am rebuilding my Marklin C track layout and this concept will make wiring all the blocks simple.
excelent video nice and clear, good instructions, im just starting in DCC and this has giving me a great insight to wiring up my layout! Love the idea of drilling through the sleepers, looks nice and tidy, well done
Great stuff .....nice way of attaching track feeders. Using the suitcase connectors looks good , I was worrying that they would not make a good connection, I tried using wire strippers to force apart the wire along the bus,,,,,,then solder...but not so good. So cheers.
Hi, Having just moved from 00 to 0 gauge your video has provided me with what looks like a very much improved method, plus neat and tidy way of installing BUS and FEEDER wires. Not sure if the suitcase connectors are readily available in the UK, but thanks for excellent demonstrations of the various aspects of wiring a layout. Regards, Brian
There seems to be many detractors of the suitcase connectors. I have used them for more than 20 years now and not had a failure to date on numerous MRRs. It is important to use the proper size connector for the wires you want to connect together. That might be why some folks are having problems. I use the 3M Scothlok #558 IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) for everything from 22ga to 16 ga. wire.
Brilliant method for the droppers, mate. I model N scale and have a hard time getting wires to stay still when trying to solder them to the track. Deffo going to try this!
Excellent video, I subbed, very helpful. I think I will solder some of the joints only so I get better at soldering. Then I'll use suitcase connectors where I need to. Great explanation of how and where to apply power.
Hi Ron. Great question. My unqualified understanding is that one side of the track is positive and the other side negative and the loco completes the circuit between + and - creating a loop/circuit back to the controller, therefore you dont need to loop the feeders or bus wire. The reason for running bus and feeder wires is just to provide a more consistant supply of power and signal at several points around the layout. I hope I have understood and answered you question and have been some help.
Hi Olliead, wish I would have had your help when I started my Ho layout it would have saved me a lot of time the way that you have done yours looks so easy..
Wiring the point motors and switches seams complicated but is actually quiet easy if you follow the instructions that come with the point motors. Just make sure that if your going to use a toggle switch to activate the point motor that the switch is a momentary switch. A momentary switch will flick back to the off or centre position when you take you finger off it. If you use a switch that is a on on switch you will burn out the point motor because the power doesn't turn off. I hope i've helped.
Hi Adrian. Ideally you would attach a feeder wire to every piece of track, but i think that is overkill. In my case I have a feeder wire about every metre. I've found that I get a very consistent power right around my layout. Track and wheel cleaning is the key to a smooth running layout. If you track and wheels are dirty then it doesn't matter how many feeder wires you have, the connection between the wheels and track has to be good especially on a dcc layout .
Thanks for this video.. I'm about to rewire my setup and was not looking forward to it. This makes the job sooo much easier. I checked up on Jaycar's website and they do have those clips Red Quick Splice Connector 22-18AWG Pk6.. Priced at AU$2.15c for 10.. I've also found these too..Contact Connectors - Wire Joiners - Pk.4.. Priced at AU$1.55c for 10. So I guess I'll have to make waves across the Bay to Capalaba to get them..lol. Gives me an excuse to get to the mainland..lol..;-) Regards. Doug
Hi, great video. I am just starting out to build an N gauge layout, with DCC, but all very new to this, and your video has helped a lot with this. Just ordered from ebay, some of the parts you use. One thing that I am not sure is, why do you wire up the points as well? I was looking at the electrofrog points first, but someone on a forum suggest I don't use(as there were no electrofrog version of the points I wanted) and instead each of the sidings use the dropper wire method which you show. So each of the sidings on the straight track, I am just going to use dropper wires, connected to the bus. Thanks
The best video I have seen on DCC wiring. Good job. One question...do the main buss wires need to be terminated with just a wire cap? They do not have to complete an electrical loop, right?
Just bought a cheap soldering iron, so will be doing some wiring soon. Yeah there is a lot of track, that was my first layout that you saw which ironically DID work ok. The layout I have now isn't too dissimilar, I have just tried to fill most of my board with track. Some of track was second hand & tarnished also some of the fish plates are useless, so need to buy more to help ensure continuity.Just need to get some feeder wire.That stuff you used looked ideal. How many connectors on yours?
A good, pretty clear demo thank you. Seemingly made easier by the orange 'suitcase clips' which you use throughout. One of the questioners asks what they are/where you get them but there is no answer. I live in the UK so maybe the name is different. Can you give any more information about them please? Thank you.
V good & should be helpful to me as I have finished laying my track to find my locos wont go around on it, so I now have to look at doing this. Glad you are running Hornby & select DCC as I am also. You are obviously Aussie & I am English but in NZ so do the kiwis call them suitcase clips "suitcase clips" ? But had you gone straight from the bus to the rail with one feeder you would have saved effort & half the amount of clips wouldn't you? Where did you get the clips & wire from? Thanks.
Thanks for your prompt response to my previous question. You have several powered section of track on your layout. Are the powered sections insulated from one another.
wanting to start up with a first time layout, just trying to figure out how often you have to place feeder wires to the track, and also trying to get my head around wiring point motor switches. I'm sure its all straight forward once you know how, i do have a pretty good knowledge of electrics. Any suggestions of any newbie mags or links LOL. Ady
Thanks for the video - its helped me greatly. I am using Hornby 00 track and the sleepers do not look wide enough to successfully drill through so perhaps my feeder wire will need to come up through between the sleepers and eventually be covered by the ballast. Can you please advise what size wire you have used for the bus & feeder and were these wires solid. Your help is appreciated.
So far this is the best video I have found on DCC wiring that isn’t long winded and a half hour long. I’m thinking of doing a video myself to help beginners like myself.
I LIKE TO SAY ONE THING,THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND TO DO,It beats all these other video's of trying to show you this and that,and when there done your all confused,watching your video has just made the most simplest way to wire a set up,AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH,CHEERS AND ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOURS Gary Timberlake(BB)
This has cleared up so much for me, as I'm no electrician.. I'll be able to wire my layout up with confidence now, thank you.
I like that, easy and no soldering! Mr. B.
Finally, someone who can use a video cam properly. Good steady shots, nice close-ups, nice long shots so we can see what you're talking about. Please do a tour video when you're done with the scenery, etc. Should be great.
Dear Olliead. That is great! I have found them instantly here in the UK. Talk about timing - I wanted to start wiring my layout tomorrow and here I am saving time, money and, most importantly, trouble! Thanks to you. Well, many thanks to you. I look forward to further developments - on RUclips - of your layout.
Best, most straight forward instructional video yet. I look forward to more great information!
I could not tell if your rail joints were soldered. I recommend that you solder all of your rail joints. I learned that hard way on that one. Had to go back and do that after numerous other work was already done. Trains ran amazing after that. Happy railroading. :)
I'm glad I watched this before I got started! Thank you! I went straight from here to eBay and bought my suitcase clips.
Your video has given me a lot more confidence that I can get my N scale layout wired up without any major hiccups!
I'm more amazed at how much lift you accomplished on such a small amount of space! And the wiring lesson right on point!
Nicely presented. I'm getting ready to do this myself, so it's good to actually see it done in real time. Thanks!
Finally someone explains it simply
That was really helpful - I like the simplicity and the neat solution using the copper single strand
This is exactly how I want to wire my layout. Nicely and neat, very easy to trouble shoot.
Thanx for this tutorial.
Great video. It really simplified what I thought was a complicated process. The only thing I didn’t get (or missed) was what do you do with the two ends of the bus wires? Thanks again for a well presented lesson.
Absolutely fantastic video! Very well explained! Ties in everything I've been reading about DCC wiring perfectly, thanks very much!
That's a great presentation. I'm new to Model Railroading and this bus wiring will help me with my layout. Your layout looks great. I can't wait to get started. Thank you.
I thought the idea of dcc was that you controlled the points with a spring clip and did the change through the dcc. Thanks heaps for the video Olliead. Please keep them coming.
Charles and Dad
Thank you much for an excellent video which makes the entire matter simple to understand. Being new to model railroading and the DCC concepts has been made a lot simpler for me by your video. Keep up the great work.
Great information Ollie! I'm beginning building of a new HO layout and this will be the first DCC. I planned to use the suitcase connectors but I love the way you did your feeder wires. Wiring the frogs was a big concern but the end of this video really triggered some "light bulbs" in my mind.
Very informative, easy to follow and just what needed as I am about to wire up a new DCC system for the first time. Thank you!!
Nicely presented and I learned the best approach to wiring my layout which is similar in size!! Thank you!
I agree! Thanks very much!
You just simplified my wiring a bunch for me.. pretty sure I was over thinking some stuff.. Thanks for the video sir, really appreciated!
This video and way to wire up a primary buss is awesome. I am rebuilding my Marklin C track layout and this concept will make wiring all the blocks simple.
Excellent demonstration. The best I've seen on the subject. Thank-you for your efforts.
Thank you very much, understood your set up much better than some others, thanks Sir!
excelent video nice and clear, good instructions, im just starting in DCC and this has giving me a great insight to wiring up my layout! Love the idea of drilling through the sleepers, looks nice and tidy, well done
Cheers Gary, Thanks for the feedback. Its always great to hear that you've helped someone. All the best
great video, looks like a very easy method of connections, i think i will use this method. Thanks again.
Just watched the video clip and it answered a whole lot of questions I had about wiring !! just about to start on a layout in the UK.
Russ
Thanks for putting your ideas out there. Good quality audio & video. Easy to understand. Great help for my setup.
Great stuff .....nice way of attaching track feeders. Using the suitcase connectors looks good , I was worrying that they would not make a good connection, I tried using wire strippers to force apart the wire along the bus,,,,,,then solder...but not so good. So cheers.
Hi,
Having just moved from 00 to 0 gauge your video has provided me with what looks like a very much improved method, plus neat and tidy way of installing BUS and FEEDER wires. Not sure if the suitcase connectors are readily available in the UK, but thanks for excellent demonstrations of the various aspects of wiring a layout.
Regards,
Brian
Great video. Greetings from Spain
There seems to be many detractors of the suitcase connectors. I have used them for more than 20 years now and not had a failure to date on numerous MRRs. It is important to use the proper size connector for the wires you want to connect together. That might be why some folks are having problems. I use the 3M Scothlok #558 IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) for everything from 22ga to 16 ga. wire.
Thank you for this video. It is one of the best informational and easy videos i have come across. good job.
Brilliant method for the droppers, mate. I model N scale and have a hard time getting wires to stay still when trying to solder them to the track. Deffo going to try this!
Thanks MickMaan
Building my first layout. love the video, its to the point and easily illustrated for a beginner like myself.
I used your method,very quick and easy. Thanks,I appreciate the video.
Excellent Video, I feel much more confident about doing my wiring. Thank you
Excellent video, I subbed, very helpful. I think I will solder some of the joints only so I get better at soldering. Then I'll use suitcase connectors where I need to. Great explanation of how and where to apply power.
That's very helpful - many thanks. Regards from London.
Brilliant and straight forward explanation.
Very neat connection to the track with your droppers. Im going to try that.
Very helpful and clearly illustrated - thank you!
Glad the video helped. Good luck with the new layout!!
Hi Ron. Great question. My unqualified understanding is that one side of the track is positive and the other side negative and the loco completes the circuit between + and - creating a loop/circuit back to the controller, therefore you dont need to loop the feeders or bus wire.
The reason for running bus and feeder wires is just to provide a more consistant supply of power and signal at several points around the layout.
I hope I have understood and answered you question and have been some help.
Thanks for the feedback Olliead.
going to get started really soon!
Great well presented video. Well done.
Michael
Thank you for sharing this my friend you helped me alot man ✌⭐
thank you for this for this very helpful how to wire your layout
Really good demo. Thank you.
hi really like your feeder wire idea will use it on my next indoor layout
cheers
mick
Hi Olliead, wish I would have had your help when I started my Ho layout it would have saved me a lot of time the way that you have done yours looks so easy..
Nice and simple, thanks mate
Wiring the point motors and switches seams complicated but is actually quiet easy if you follow the instructions that come with the point motors. Just make sure that if your going to use a toggle switch to activate the point motor that the switch is a momentary switch. A momentary switch will flick back to the off or centre position when you take you finger off it. If you use a switch that is a on on switch you will burn out the point motor because the power doesn't turn off.
I hope i've helped.
Hi Adrian. Ideally you would attach a feeder wire to every piece of track, but i think that is overkill. In my case I have a feeder wire about every metre. I've found that I get a very consistent power right around my layout.
Track and wheel cleaning is the key to a smooth running layout. If you track and wheels are dirty then it doesn't matter how many feeder wires you have, the connection between the wheels and track has to be good especially on a dcc layout .
Great vid, thanks for making it look so easy!
All the best with your wiring. Thanks for the feedback.
Great video Thank you for sharing.
Very, very, very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks for this video.. I'm about to rewire my setup and was not looking forward to it. This makes the job sooo much easier. I checked up on Jaycar's website and they do have those clips Red Quick Splice Connector 22-18AWG Pk6.. Priced at AU$2.15c for 10.. I've also found these too..Contact Connectors - Wire Joiners - Pk.4.. Priced at AU$1.55c for 10.
So I guess I'll have to make waves across the Bay to Capalaba to get them..lol.
Gives me an excuse to get to the mainland..lol..;-)
Regards.
Doug
Thanks Doug. glad I could help
Really nice and simple explanation and good camera work, thanks very much mate. Liked and subscribed.
Superb video, made me feel much relaxed about wiring up my own DCC layout.
Nice clean look. Helped a lot TY
Really helpful video, Thanks for sharing!
Awesome video thank you made it simple and clear.
I hope those "Quick splice connectors" are available in the UK. Very instructive video, thanks.
sTUART
I purchased mine from my local electronics store (Jaycar electronics), some of the big hardwares also sell them. good luck have fun
Cheers Ron B. I Appreciate your feedback, It encourages me to do more. Thanks
Hi, great video. I am just starting out to build an N gauge layout, with DCC, but all very new to this, and your video has helped a lot with this. Just ordered from ebay, some of the parts you use. One thing that I am not sure is, why do you wire up the points as well? I was looking at the electrofrog points first, but someone on a forum suggest I don't use(as there were no electrofrog version of the points I wanted) and instead each of the sidings use the dropper wire method which you show. So each of the sidings on the straight track, I am just going to use dropper wires, connected to the bus. Thanks
Thank you taught me a lot prescient you
The best video I have seen on DCC wiring. Good job. One question...do the main buss wires need to be terminated with just a wire cap? They do not have to complete an electrical loop, right?
Good to know. I get plenty of questions about what the're called in different countries.
Cheers GazzaGB
great information thank you
you did an excellent video!
Awesome video my man! Thanks!
Glad I could help. Thanks for the comment.
I just saw ore wired joiners for your track! Wish I had heard this sooner. Better than soldering my track. Have you seen them?
Nicely done. Thanks.
Great Job !! Thanks for sharing. .
Just bought a cheap soldering iron, so will be doing some wiring soon. Yeah there is a lot of track, that was my first layout that you saw which ironically DID work ok. The layout I have now isn't too dissimilar, I have just tried to fill most of my board with track. Some of track was second hand & tarnished also some of the fish plates are useless, so need to buy more to help ensure continuity.Just need to get some feeder wire.That stuff you used looked ideal. How many connectors on yours?
Good job. Thanks. I’ll do that.
A good, pretty clear demo thank you. Seemingly made easier by the orange 'suitcase clips' which you use throughout. One of the questioners asks what they are/where you get them but there is no answer. I live in the UK so maybe the name is different. Can you give any more information about them please? Thank you.
So good mate
Thank you this was very useful
Awesome, helpful, video!!!
Thank you for sharing
V good & should be helpful to me as I have finished laying my track to find my locos wont go around on it, so I now have to look at doing this. Glad you are running Hornby & select DCC as I am also. You are obviously Aussie & I am English but in NZ so do the kiwis call them suitcase clips "suitcase clips" ? But had you gone straight from the bus to the rail with one feeder you would have saved effort & half the amount of clips wouldn't you? Where did you get the clips & wire from? Thanks.
Nicely done. Thanks. Have subscribed and liked
Thanks for the great video!!!
Thanks for your prompt response to my previous question. You have several powered section of track on your layout. Are the powered sections insulated from one another.
Great video, thanks very much.
Cheers Mate, Glad I could help.
Great vid. Thanks for sharing your work!
wanting to start up with a first time layout, just trying to figure out how often you have to place feeder wires to the track, and also trying to get my head around wiring point motor switches. I'm sure its all straight forward once you know how, i do have a pretty good knowledge of electrics. Any suggestions of any newbie mags or links LOL. Ady
greatvideokeeptheideascomming
nice video presentation!
Great demo. How many volts do you run through your red and black, under-the-table bus wires? And what is the voltage on the track rails? Thanks!
Thanks for the video - its helped me greatly. I am using Hornby 00 track and the sleepers do not look wide enough to successfully drill through so perhaps my feeder wire will need to come up through between the sleepers and eventually be covered by the ballast. Can you please advise what size wire you have used for the bus & feeder and were these wires solid. Your help is appreciated.