HO track power?

[michaeljoe]

Let's say I hook up an 18 volt train transformer for my ho track.
And I run a bus line out, and add two to maybe four feeders with smaller gauge wire than the bus line wire.
Will this cause a drainage of power from my transformer?

The main line is about 11 ft long maybe 4 ft wide, with a track running the same pattern just inside the main line.
Also with about four turnouts with some short track inside of that.

I'm just curious how much that would drain from my transformer if any.

I am running only one train at a time with DC power.
I just ordered a.... model rectifier-rail power 1370.

Thanks.

 

[Bruette]

Let's say I hook up an 18 volt train transformer for my ho track.
And I run a bus line out, and add two to maybe four feeders with smaller gauge wire than the bus line wire.
Will this cause a drainage of power from my transformer?

There should be no drain until you add a load (train) regardless of how many feeders you have or the length of your track.

The gauge of the wire will make no difference unless the current (load) exceeds the capacity of the wire.

 

[santafewillie]

Louis says it all. That transformer should be capable of running several engines in a lash-up at the same time. With a layout that small, you don't really need a buss, just run all feeders from a terminal block using #22 gauge wire. Or hook all of the feeders directly to the transformer.

 

[timlange3]

What is the gauge and length of the bus? What is the gauge and lengths of the feeders? What is the maximum current draw of what will be on the track at the same time?

 

[bnsf971]

Nearly all HO trains operate on 12VDC. Not 18.

 

[michaeljoe]

What is the gauge and length of the bus? What is the gauge and lengths of the feeders? What is the maximum current draw of what will be on the track at the same time?

I haven't gotten started on this part of my layout yet.
But I like to try and gather as much information ......before I get started on the many different steps and procedures there are, for putting my train layout together.
And ...thanks... to all the members and specialist here on "ModelRailroadForums" it's good to know I can get the info., I need to know as I work on my layout.

 

[Bruette]

Nearly all HO trains operate on 12VDC. Not 18.

I assumed @michaeljoe was referring to the 18VA total output of the Model Rectifier-Rail Power 1370.

 

[michaeljoe]

Nearly all HO trains operate on 12VDC. Not 18.

Thanks, I'll use my multimeter on the track rails with (locomotive and cars) and see what the output is as I turn the dial and apply power to the track.
And mark the dial where I want.

 

[michaeljoe]

And I always prefer more power, this way I I should never come up short.

 

[bnsf971]

And I always prefer more power, this way I I should never come up short.

Was that an electrical joke?

 

[trailrider]

The biggest "drain" will be if you are running several 1 amp locomotives at the same time. For example, most of the old Athearn Blue Box F-7' run about that high a draw, so running two together would draw about that much. Newer locomotives generally don't draw that much. As such, your MP 1370 should be adequate. With the dimensions of the layout, you can probably get away with just 24 AWG feeders, but if you wanted, an 18 AWG bus would certainly provide enough feed to the feeders (no pun intended).